Weather forecasting is the attempt by meteorologists to predict the state of the atmosphere at some future time and the weather conditions that may be expected. Weather forecasting is the single most important practical reason for the existence of meteorology as a science. It is obvious that knowing the future of the weather can be important for individuals and organizations. Accurate weather forecasts can tell a farmer the best time to plant, an airport control tower what information to send to planes that are landing and taking off, and residents of a coastal region when a hurricane might strike.

Humans have been looking for ways to forecast the weather for centuries. The Greek natural philosopher Theophrastus wrote a Book of Signs, in about 300 B.C. listing more than 200 ways of knowing when to expect rain, wind, fair conditions, and other kinds of weather.

Scientifically-based weather forecasting...