Pioneers like William Hallet Greene helped break barriers in meteorology—but there’s still more progress to be made.
May 9 is National Meteorologists Day—a day to celebrate the scientists behind the forecast and the ongoing effort to build a stronger, more inclusive future.
ALT A commemorative graphic honoring pioneering meteorologists blends historical and modern weather science imagery. On the left, a sepia-toned portrait of William Hallet Greene shows him seated at a desk writing in a ledger beneath antique weather instruments and a historic War Department weather map. On the right, modern meteorologists monitor severe weather radar displays inside a forecast office while a large tornado is visible outside the windows in the distance. Large text at the top reads, “Honoring the Legacy of Pioneering Meteorologists.” Smaller text below says, “From telegraphing weather observations to forecasting severe storms — Their work broke barriers and paved the way for future scientists.” A plaque near Greene reads: “William Hallet Greene (1864–1942) — First African American to Serve in the Nation’s Weather Service.” The hashtag “#NationalMeteorologistsDay” appears along the bottom.