Kodiak’s Fleet Weather Central Keeps
Eye On 8,000 Sq. Miles Of Weather
By R. V. Powers, JOC, USN
KODIAK, Alaska — “Weather
guessing” — the general term ap
plied, without malice, by casual
observers of the U.S. Navy’s
meteorological program — is a pre
cise, full-time operation.
Fleet Weather Central, Kodiak,
is typical of the intricate network
of U.S. 'Navy weather stations
around the world.
The station was established in
1948 to assist in forecasting the
tricky, ever-changing climate prev
alent in 'North Pacific and Alaskan
areas. Its present commanding of
ficer is Cmdr. Abert L. Dodson,
USN.
Alaska — wild, untamed and
challenging — is a part of the
United States still regarded oy
many as foreign and remote. Ac
tive volcanoes and high winds
known as “williwaws” are common
phenomena. Contrasts range from
Arctic ice packs to the maritime
region around Kodiak Island called
the “banana belt” of Alaska.
The latter term is applied to em
phasize the warming effect of an
off-shoot of the Japanese Current
which touches the island, with sub
sequent milder climate.
In this setting, FWC Kodiak is
vitally concerned with approxi
mately eight million square miles
of some of the world’s most con
trary weather, which, once brewed,
spills from the theoretical witch’s
cauldron and overflows the North
American continent.
The station, in broad terms, has
the mission of providing meteorol
ogical and related services to the
Naval Establishment and oceano
graphic forecasts to the Armed
Forces.
Specifically, to accomplish its
mission, the station undertakes a
multitude of continuous tasks.
Among these:
—Prepare and distribute analys
es, prognoses and forecasts of se
lected meteorological obervations;
—FTepare and issue warnings
of hazardous or destructive weath
er conditions;
—'Prepare radiological fall-out
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forecasts;
—Coordinate naval weather serv
ices with other weather agencies;
—Provide weather information
in support of the Aerial Ice Recon
Program and Arctic operations;
and
—Provide forecasts on ice, sea,
swell and surf conditions.
In addition, meteorological sup
port is given the Kodiak Naval
Station and other local activities.
Patrol squadrons and ships oper
ating from Kodiak are briefed by
FWC on weather conditions along
specific routes or tracks.
Kodiak’s proximity to the Great
Circle shipping routes in the North
Pacific also points up the necessity
for fast and accurate marine fore
casts.
Forecasts are basically predic
tions of coming weather conditions
for a definite time and area. They
usually include temperature,
weather state, and wind direction
and speed.
Both visual and instrument
methods are used in accurately de
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Housemoving
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House Raising
termining present weather condi
tions.
Visual operations are made for
precipitation, visibility, cloud for
mation, and sea state. Instruments
assist in measuring temperature,
humidity, wind direction and
speed, and other meteorological
data.
Naval operations in Alaska, es
pecially during long hours of dark
ness in winter, depend largely up
on accurate and timely weather
analyses. During this time, the
I
combination of snow and high
winds can change the topography
from barren to deep drifts within
an hour. Flight operations are also
often restricted by high winds,
cloudiness and fog prevalent in the
area.
The rapidly-changing Kodiak
weather conditions are best re
flected in the expression: “If you
don’t like the weather, wait five
minutes.” Many outdoor acivities,
for this reason, are held as sched
uled, realizing 50% of the change
able weather wil undoubtedly be
good.
With the world on the threshold
of interplanetary space travel,
meteorological programs have tak
en on new dimensions in the study
and planning for suitable weather
conditions as a foreseeable vari
able.
And, contrary to an old cliche,
something is being done about the
weather by the U.S. Navy and
weather agencies around the world.
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