Weather Predictions -

The Weather Bureau Research Station was started in 1956 to study
the meteorology of the Nevada Test Site.

In late 1957 it became re-

sponsible for providing meteorological support of nuclear weapons tests.
Prior to these dates this function was performed by the Air Weather
Service of the U. S. Air Force.

The Weather Bureau station at the

Nevada Test Site received ali of the atmospheric sounding information
taken every six hours by the stations shown in the map (Graphics No. 8),
and most of the hourly and six-hourly weather information produced in
the entire United States, Canada, Mexico, and eastern Pacific Ocean.
In addition, there were some 26 wind, 20 temperature, and 18 precipitation measuring stations located on the Test Site.

Ten of the wind

and three of the temperature stations that reflect major terrain effects
at and near the Nevada Test Site provided telemetered information for
_use just prior to and immediately following all nuclear weapons tests.
The Mercury Weather Station made a daily study of the weather
conditions over the Nevada Test Site and environs, using all available
local information and reevaluating analyses furnished by means of
facsimile from the National Meteorological Center (NMC) at Suitland,
Maryland.

The latter Center processed most northern hemisphere data,

much of it electronically, and used the fastest and most modern techniques in producing forecast charts of the large scale features of the
atmospheric circulation.

The Mercury station, having more local informa-

tion and the benefit of numerous studies of local meteorological conditions, adjusted the NMC information to make forecasts having the highest
possible eccuracy for NTS,

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