The WMAQ-TV Weather Bureau

Right: Meterologist Bob Thomas in the WMAQ-TV weather bureau
Meterologist Bob Thomas

A 19th floor showcase and tourist attraction is the Station Weather Bureau, a glassed in area in the lobby housing a variety of the most modern meterological gear and weather instrumentation available.

One of the few stations in the country to establish its own Weather Bureau, WMAQ-TV employs two professional meterologists.

A series of dials visible to 19th floor visitors through the glass windows shows the current temperature, wind velocity and direction, barometric pressure, humidity and rainfall. The dials are hooked to weather instruments located atop the 23-story building.

Five electronic communications machines installed within the bureau provide meterologists with the basic data needed in making forecasts.

Two facsimile machines provide weather maps throughout the country. The Standard Weather Facsimile is from the U. S. Weather Bureau's office in Suitland, Md. A smaller facsimile machine provides the U. S. Weather Bureau's maps and data. WMAQ-TV is one of the few television stations in the country to have this service.

Return to the 1970 WMAQ-TV tour

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