aw"
HEADQUARTEHS
JOU-T TASk FORCE 132
Washington 25, DC

102216

5 December 1951
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUBJECT:

Atomic Energy Commission, Division of Military Application. ATIN: Captein Harr; Haight, USN

Telephone Query Concerning Special Forecasts for Continental
Atomic Tests

1. In answer to your telephone query of this date concerning the
advisability or eventual worth of including in the command weather brief-

ing a 6-7 day forecast of cloud trajectory, the following is submitted:
a@.

The validity of such a forecast is highly questionable, as

the weather conditions affecting cloud trajectory are not forecastable

with any degree of accuracy over such a period.

This is true because

smell errors in both space and time will be reflected in wide departures

of the cloud from forecast positions.

be A rough estimste of cloud tracks could be furnished, but if
such an estimate were received by persons not completely familiar with
atomic testing, undue alarm might be created, or false conclusions reached.
2, It is suggested that a more useful purpose might be served if
daily position reports and 2) hour forecast positions were issued to persons who absolutely require the information, with the reservation that
the limitations inherent in such predictions be emphasized.

-<
RG

é weees

YS DOE ARCHIVES

Commander, USN

326 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY

‘Collection
i Box

COMMISSION

Staff Weather Officer

__2MA

CLASSIFICATION OANCEL
AUTHORITY: DOE.pDP

cs R.G. BOGER Ps

2996

Folder(Lets. | toe. Matin

_—_—_——porpens)HD.

9 1063

las

}

Lit

?

Select target paragraph3