Weather History in the United States Military

• Prior to the 1930s, weather forecasting was a new science and generally undependable for planning.
• Generals in the 19th century knew weather was a key factor in victory and defeat, but they were forced to deal with the weather as it came, rather than planning fights based on forecasts.
• Let’s take a look at some of the surprising impacts weather has had on some of our more recent military history.

Detail of print depicting George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette on horseback, visiting soldiers at their winter encampment at Valley Forge. Source: Library of Congress