Ancient cultures

· many cultures believed that floods and other disasters were involved in the creation of the world

· many cultures invented  and other ceremonies to make the weather gods friendly

· people needed to observe and interpret the sky to ensure their   

· around 650 BC, Babylonians started forecasting, using weather phenomena such as   

· by 300 BC, the Chinese had a calendar made up of a number of   connected with the weather

Ancient Greeks

· a more scientific approach

· Aristotle tried to explain the formation of various weather phenomena

· Aristotle also described haloes and   

Middle Ages

· Aristotle's work considered accurate

· many proverbs, e.g. about the significance of the colour of the  , passed on accurate information.

15th-19th centuries

· 15th century: scientists recognised value of   for the first time

· Galileo invented the   

· Pascal showed relationship between atmospheric pressure and altitude

· from the 17th century, scientists could measure atmospheric pressure and temperature

· 18th century: Franklin identified the movement of   

· 19th century: data from different locations could be sent to the same place by