545. A crucial period of the Spanish climatology: the “discovery” of atmospheric circulation in altitude, 1950-1980.

Abstract

The period between 1950 and 1980 is crucial for the consolidation of the Spanish climatology. The works of a set of spanish geographers (López Gómez, García Fernández, Gil Olcina, Burriel de Orueta, Albentosa Sanchez and Capel Molina) will become basic references, because presented in our country the progress on atmospheric circulation in the upper layers of the troposphere that had been developed after the 2nd World War in the United States and in other European countries. This paper analyzes the scientific context in which the "discovery" of atmospheric circulation in altitude takes place by spanish geography and its implications for improving the knowledge of climate and weather in our country and the importance for the consolidation of geographic climatology.