Weather Map for April 15 at 12 UTC

[Michael F. Koch]

Hello, I am a Meteorologist and stumbled upon and nice web site that shows the daily weather maps all the way back to the 1800's. Here is the map for April 15, 1912 12Z: http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/dwm/1912/19120415.djvu
Note the broad area of surface high pressure in Titanic's position (pressure fairly constant over a large area implying little wind) which would explain the calm wind and seas. Also, note the isobars (lines of constant pressure) tightening up toward to US and Canadian coastline which would explain the increase in wind speed and swells towards dawn April 15. Finally, note the low pressure system across the Central US that eventually moved to the East Coast and was responsible for the thunderstorms across the East Coast as Carpathia arrived in port. Thought some of you researchers might be interested if you haven't already stumbled upon it.

Michael Koch

 

[Michael F. Koch]

Wow, one more interesting tibit I found out. If you go to the April 14 12z map, the center of high pressure is not as strong but there is more of a pressure gradient in Titanic's final position. In other words, there would have been some wind there the night earlier and consequently waves which would have allowed the iceberg likely to be spotted. I may have just stumbled upon another what if.

Mike.

 

[Jeremy J Moore]

Hello, I am a Meteorologist and stumbled upon and nice web site that shows the daily weather maps all the way back to the 1800's. Here is the map for April 15, 1912 12Z: http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/dwm/1912/19120415.djvu
Note the broad area of surface high pressure in Titanic's position (pressure fairly constant over a large area implying little wind) which would explain the calm wind and seas. Also, note the isobars (lines of constant pressure) tightening up toward to US and Canadian coastline which would explain the increase in wind speed and swells towards dawn April 15. Finally, note the low pressure system across the Central US that eventually moved to the East Coast and was responsible for the thunderstorms across the East Coast as Carpathia arrived in port. Thought some of you researchers might be interested if you haven't already stumbled upon it.

Michael Koch

Hi Mike! Do you know any information about they sky's conditions on April 14? I'm doing some research for an art peice and would like it to be accurate as possible!