Title: Milestones of the diachronic evolution of meteorology

Authors: Nicolas R. Dalezios; Panagiotis T. Nastos

Addresses: University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece; Agricultural University of Athens, 75 IeraOdos, 11855 Athens, Greece ' Head Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece

Abstract: The history of the science of meteorology, recognised as a multi-disciplinary field of physical sciences, can be classified into several periods depending on the scope and the required details of the undertaken study. In this paper, the evolution of the science of meteorology has been presented through the most significant milestones within each classified period. Diachronically, the evolution is divided into three major periods. The first period is called the 'hypothesis period', and covers a period from the first attempts of man to address weather phenomena up to ca. 1600 AD. The second period, called the 'instrumental period', from ca. 1600 AD up to approximately 1800 AD, is characterised by the invention of the basic instruments used in weather observations. Finally, the third period from ca. 1800 AD till today, called the 'scientific period', covers scientific and technological advances. Within each period, the corresponding milestones are identified and presented accordingly.

Keywords: milestones; meteorology evolution; speculation period; instrumental period; scientific period; diachronic evolution; history.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2016.074363

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2016 Vol.15 No.1/2, pp.49 - 69

Received: 04 Aug 2014
Accepted: 05 Nov 2014
Published online: 25 Jan 2016 *

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