Norwegian scientist was a meteorological giant
Published Wednesday November 25th, 2009
Bjerknes' research led way for today's forecasts
Norwegian scientist Dr. Vilhelm Bjerknes is considered by many to be one of the major founders of modern meteorology and weather forecasting.
As a professor of mathematical physics at the University of Stockholm (Sweden) in 1898, Bjerknes applied two primitive theorems dealing with the velocities of circulation to the atmosphere and the ocean -- the world's two biggest fluid systems.
He combined hydrodynamics and thermodynamics.
Bjerknes realized that the heat of the sun is transformed into motion in the Earth's atmosphere and the friction of that atmospheric motion generates heat which is, in turn, re-converted into motion
He thus surmised that thermodynamic laws are intertwined with fluid mechanics and this combination is essential to fully understand the phenomena of the atmosphere.
Because it is motion in the atmosphere that produces weather patterns, Bjerknes' findings represented a major breakthrough in meteorological forecasting. Up to that time, forecasting was undependable at best and long-term outlooks were especially difficult.
His forecasting system was based on a three-dimensional analysis of atmospheric conditions. He saw the atmosphere as a physical system, a concept that was well ahead of its time.
Over the next few years, Bjerknes wrote, lectured and expanded on his weather forecasting findings.
He also began research on the dynamic theory of atmospheric movement, meteorological conditions, intensive calculation of predictions and graphic representations of meteorological change. Most importantly, his research concentrated on timely weather forecasts.
His research also produced major findings regarding how polar fronts worked, how air masses had their own cycles and how cyclones were formed.
On July, 1918, Bjerknes was rewarded when the Norwegian government established a weather observation network based around his meteorological applications. The new Western Bergen Weather Service began issuing daily weather reports for the government and military.
As the value of the service became better known, increasingly refined weather forecasts were made available to farmers, fishermen and the then-fledgling aviation industry.
Bjerknes finished his academic career as a professor of mechanics and theoretical physics at the University of Oslo, retiring in 1932 at the age of 70.
Along with his extensive research efforts, he remained a strong spokesman for both the theoretical and practical side of meteorology, even after his retirement.
Bherknes died of heart failure in Oslo in 1951.
His son Jacob, who was also a scientist and lecturer, continued his father's research in the field of meteorology and weather forecasting.
* Charles Perry's Weather appears daily.
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