In 2022, Monthly Weather Review, the oldest continuously published meteorological journal in the world, will publish its 150th volume. Starting in 1873, the U.S. War Department’s Army Signal Service began producing a monthly report on the weather across the United States. The January 1873 issue amounted to a one-page written report and one chart (produced later) of the tracks of low-pressure centers during that month. Eventually, this publication grew to include news items and research notes. Monthly Weather Review continued as a government publication with the transfer of the nation’s weather service from the military to a civilian organization—the U.S. Weather Bureau—in 1891, and its reorganization as the present-day National Weather Service, under the newly created National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1970. In 1973, NOAA stopped publishing the journal, which was transferred to the American Meteorological Society, who continues to publish it to this day.

Cleveland Abbe (1838-1916) was the first person in America to successfully provide regular, practical weather forecasts to the public, based on reports from a network of observers. He initially did this in 1869, while director of the Cincinnati Observatory. In 1871, he moved to Washington, where he became a civilian assistant to General Albert Myer, chief signal officer of the Army, who had taken charge of the nation’s first weather service the year before. Throughouthis life, this “man of gentle and generous ways,” guided by his abiding faith, overcame personal and professional hardships in pursuit of science to become the most famous—and celebrated—meteorologist in America, if not the world.

Meteorologist and author Mr. Sean Potter will discuss Abbe’s life, career, and impact on the world of weather as he shares excerpts from his book, Too Near for Dreams: The Story of Cleveland Abbe, America’s First Weather Forecaster. He will also touch upon Abbe’s connection to the Cosmos Club, where he was a member from 1883-84, including his participation as a founding member of the National Geographic Society, whose first meeting took place at the club on January 13, 1888.

Every big idea or organization has to get its start somewhere and the National Weather Service is no exception! More than 150 years ago, Congress established the U.S Weather Bureau in 1870, which would go on to eventually become the National Weather Service we know today. Our guest today dug into the life of the man who would become known as the Father of the National Weather Service. Sean Potter is the author of Too Near for Dreams, The Story of Cleveland Abbe, America's First Weather Forecaster. We’ll discuss Abbe’s life and passion as well as what motivated Sean to dive into the world of writing in addition to being a meteorologist.

In the first installment of our Winter 2021 Series, meteorologist and weather historian Sean Potter will share excerpts and insights from his new book, Too Near for Dreams: The Story of Cleveland Abbe, America’s First Weather Forecaster.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.