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In the 1850s, when a British politician declared that people might one day know the weather 24 hours before it happened, everybody laughed.

But not everyone was content to simply wait and see what the clouds would bring. Writer Peter Moore's new book, "The Weather Experiment: The Pioneers Who Sought to See the Future," examines the sailors, scientists and inventors who dared to try and crack the secret of weather forecasting.

They did so with plenty of personal risk. Some took to the seas, sailing through tremendous storms. Others took the skies, exploring the upper atmosphere in a hot-air balloon. Another, Admiral Robert FitzRoy, risked everything — including his reputation. 

Moore chronicles their adventures, discoveries and failures, explaining how they laid the foundation for the weather science in use today.

Of course, skepticism remains about the field of meteorology. People love to critique weather forecasters — that's just a hazard of the job.

"Uncertainty is inherent in science to some point," Moore said. "But meteorology takes it to another level."

To hear the full discussion with Peter Moore about "The Weather Experiment," use the audio player above.

Peter Moore's new book explores the sailors, scientists and inventors who dared to try and crack the secret of weather forecasting.

Peter Moore's new book, "The Weather Experiment," investigates how the first sailors, scientists and inventors dared to try to predict the weather.

'Weather Experiment': Predicting the weather once seemed impossible

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