The Most Important Weather Forecast in Military History | BFBS at the Met Office

In June 1944, Group Captain James Stagg and a team of Allied meteorologists faced an extraordinary challenge: predict the weather well enough to help General Eisenhower decide when to launch the D-Day landings - the largest amphibious invasion in history. In this BFBS Special, veteran Karl Lambert meets Dr Catherine Ross - Library and Archive Manager at the Met Office - who reveals the remarkable true story behind the D-Day forecast. Using original hand-drawn weather charts from 4th, 5th and 6th June 1944, Stagg’s personal diary and meteorological equipment used during the Second World War, she explains how weather forecasting played a crucial role in the success of Operation Neptune and Overlord. The invasion was originally planned for 5th June, but worsening conditions forced a delay. Stagg identified a narrow window of marginally suitable weather for 6th June - advice that helped Allied commanders make one of the most consequential decisions of the war. Discover the people, science and extraordinary pressure behind what the Met Office describes as perhaps "the most important weather forecast in its history". Upcoming movie 'Pressure' - starring Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser - tells the tense 72 hours before D-Day and the impossible decisions faced by Group Captain James Stagg and General Eisenhower. Watch it in cinemas from September 9th 2026. Pressure will be showing at BFBS Cinemas. Find out more at https://bfbscinemas.com/ #DDay #PressureFilm #MetOffice #JamesStagg #MilitaryHistory