My Review of Air Apparent

A Review of

Monmonier, Mark. Air Apparent: How Meteorologists Learned to Map, Predict, and Dramatize Weather. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1999.

Meteorology: Science, Art and Drama

by Stacie Brady

In his book Air Apparent, Monmonier presents meteorology as not just a science, but also as an art. Through a meticulous and thorough relation of the history and nature of meteorology, with its roots dug as deep as the sixteenth century, Monmonier provides a well-rounded picture of the many facets of meteorology. With his focus upon those players over the centuries who contributed to advancements in meteorology as well as those who hindered progress, he provides explanations for why some mistaken meteorological methods prevailed and why others finally got it right, and he builds the case that the two centuries of research and development occurring before the advent of computers established the knowledge base that is essential to today’s computer modeling success. Without these building blocks of meteorological knowledge, numerical modeling would have experienced a significant lag before it could have accomplished what it has in the last few decades. When computers hit the scene, meteorologists were ready with the knowledge of how to implement their models using the new technology, and Monmonier details the building of that foundation.

The principle lesson woven through Monmonier’s book is that one must not be content with discovered solutions or “smugly confident” with success, but always strive for improvement (57)…or in the words of Disney’s lovable cartoon character Cornelius Robinson: “Keep Moving Forward.” With the obvious intention to encourage his readers to look for further advancements while discarding skepticism, Monmonier provides a look at the past alongside a “glimpse of this future” (231). Therein lies the value of this book as the reader learns the lessons from weather forecasting’s rocky history and progress. Obviously, Monmonier hopes his readers will pay close attention to those discoveries that opened up new horizons for meteorology, analyze that which hindered progress, and emulate those people who have pressed forward against government, science associations, etc. to defy conventional knowledge.

Although, or perhaps because, this book provides meticulous detail of meteorology’s abundant history, it tends to be a tedious read. Indeed, Monmonier’s writing lacks energy and animation. Even when given opportunity to liven it up with human interest, he falls flat, as when he non-humorously portrays weather forecasting of the last century as not just news but also drama (153). This idea alone has enough fodder for at least a couple digs on the showmanship of weather forecasting, but Monmonier keeps its ridiculousness to a dry relation of what occurred. Weathercasters wearing rain slickers during rainy forecasts or a bathing suit during summer weather could have provided Monmonier much-needed comic relief, but instead, such juicy details are matter-of-factly reported to the reader and he quickly moves on to the next historical detail.

Despite such a grim assessment, there is much redeeming quality found within this book. Possibly the most valuable aspect of meteorology highlighted by Monmonier is when advances within meteorology are applied to more practical and helpful dilemmas which may improve the quality of life or even save lives, and on this subject Monmonier has much to say. Throughout the book, he relates meteorology to other studies just as, or more, important than weather prediction, like air-quality plume maps, air diffusion models for chemical disasters, climatology with regard to global warming, Doppler radar’s tornado warning capability, and mudslide warnings in Malibu. Monmonier realizes that meteorological studies and advances have “new relevance in discovering threats and informing debate,” and he effectively links forecasting advancement to saved lives (193).

Monmonier’s expertise in cartography complements his study since meteorology has an understandable reliance upon maps, and their share in meteorological development over the centuries cannot be equaled. He offers a knowledgeable and insightful study of the cartographic history of meteorology, making the book worthy of time spent studying it. In addition to extensive research, as evidenced by the 61 pages of chapter notes supplementing the already in-depth description, Monmonier provides firsthand observation, such as when he spent the day at the Weather Forecasting Office near Binghamton, New York, examining technology for himself. He adapted many of the maps himself as well, more clearly providing explanation to the reader. Monmonier provides a comprehensive look at meteorology as a science and an art.