Numerical Weather Prediction at 60: A journey of innovation at the Met Office

Numerical Weather Prediction at 60: A Journey of Innovation at the Met Office

Sixty years ago, the Met Office began a transformative journey that revolutionized weather forecasting in the UK and worldwide. In 1965, the adoption of numerical weather prediction (NWP) marked a pivotal moment, starting an era of scientific progress, technological advancement, and steady improvements in forecast accuracy. As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of NWP, we reflect on how far it has come and anticipate future innovations.

Early Experiments to Operational Forecasts

The story of NWP at the Met Office started in the early 1950s. Pioneering scientists like Fred H. Hinds, guided by John S. Sawyer, ran the first experimental forecasts using the EDSAC computer at Cambridge. Although technology was limited, these early experiments laid the foundation for future developments.

By 1959, the Ferranti Mercury computer, nicknamed ‘Meteor’, was installed at Dunstable. This was the first computer solely dedicated to NWP research and marked a key milestone.

The Breakthrough of 1965

The biggest breakthrough happened in 1965 with the arrival of the English Electric KDF9 computer, called ‘Comet’, at Bracknell. On 2 November 1965, the Met Office produced its first operational computer forecast. This moment gained broad media coverage and marked the beginning of a new era in weather prediction.

Advancing Science and Technology

In the decades that followed, rapid advancements in both scientific understanding and computing technology fueled ongoing improvements in forecasting capabilities.

“The Met Office produced its first operational computer forecast on 2 November 1965, signaling the start of a new era in weather prediction.”

The continuous innovation since that time has allowed weather forecasting to become more accurate and reliable, benefiting societies everywhere.

Author's summary: Over sixty years, the Met Office’s pioneering efforts in numerical weather prediction transformed forecasting through groundbreaking technology and scientific progress, shaping today’s weather services.

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Wired-Gov — 2025-11-05