Chapter 3 ~ Weather Operations
Weather conditions, particularly wind directions and velocities,
are of considerable significance in conducting a nuclear test series.
Since the possibility of hazard to life and property from radioactive
fallout exists in nearly ali nuciear detonations, the commander
responsible for authorizing the detonation of a muclear device mst
be completely informed on the fall out pattern to be expected.
Other
weather factors, such as cloud cover, precipitation, and visibility
which might have an adverse effect on the gathering of scientific data,
or which might intensify the lccal effects cf shock and blast must be
considered,
To provide Joint Task Force SEVEN with a weather reporting
and férecasting capability to meet these requirements, Commander, Jcint .
Task Ferce SEVEN required Task Group 7.4 to previde and train the
j
personnel for a Weather Centrai Elemert, a Weather Reporting Elemens,
with widely dispersed reporting stations throughout the Central Pacific
erea adjacent to the Eniwetok Proving Grourd, and a Weather Reconnaissance
Element cperating ten (10) WB-50 aircraft and having a capability of
gathering synoptic data over a tremendous area,
As stated above, Task Group 7.4 was responsible to furnish tne
personnel to man the Joint Task Force Weather Central Element,
The
Wea*her Central, hewever, was under the operational control cf Joint
Task Forse SEVEN,
Its mission was to coliect, plct and analyze weather
anformation cornierning the Pacific Ocean area, with emphasis on the
Centrai Pacific and the Eniwetck Proving Ground, to issue severe weather
advisories and typhoon warnings, and to maintain technical control of
and to coordinate the land station weather cbserving and aircraft weather
retonnaissance programs,
! Copiep/oce
E LAKL Re
69
,COE
Oa
(