The Battle of the Somme: The Met Office and WW1

The Battle of the Somme: The Met Office and WW1 Credit: The Met Office

By Kate Haskell, weather presenter

100 years ago today the weather dawned dry and bright over The Somme with high pressure in charge over France.

Here are some charts from the 1st July 1916, hand drawn in those days, depicting the conditions.

British weather forecasting maps Credit: The Met Office

You can also see the German forecasts and its worth noting that our charts show the weather for Germany but theirs show little details west of their borders which would've no doubt put them at a disadvantage.

German weather forecasting maps Credit: The Met Office

It was during WW1 that military leaders started to appreciate the important role of weather in warfare and the Battle of The Somme marks the beginning of Met Office forecasting for the military.

Troops of the British XIV Corps, advancing near Ginchy, during the Battle of Morval, part of the Somme Offensive during World War I Credit: PA Images

This was an important partnership particularly when army was using chemical gas as the wind direction was crucial to ensure the gas didn't drift back in to the British trench.