How meteorologists recreated weather that helped decide World War II
Experts helped guide weather scenes in Pressure – a film depicting dramatic buildup to 1944’s D-day landings
TL;DR
- The film "Pressure" focuses on the role of meteorologists in the D-day landings of June 1944.
- Andrew Scott plays meteorologist Gp Capt James Stagg, who had to forecast conditions for General Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser).
- Weather forecasting in the 1940s relied on limited data, surface measurements, and intuition, unlike today's satellite technology.
- The decision to postpone and then proceed with the D-day landings on June 6th was heavily influenced by conflicting forecasts.
- Film-makers meticulously recreated historical weather charts and data, with assistance from experts and the Met Office.
- Breaking the Enigma code gave the Allies access to German weather observations, an advantage they used.
- The D-day forecast is considered one of the most important and famous forecasts in history.