St. Cloud in Osceola County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Thunderstorm Project

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012

1. The Thunderstorm Project Marker

Inscription. On a typical summer afternoon thunderstorms will be seen in the skies surrounding this site. So common they are often ignored, thunderstorms are nevertheless vital to the State's economy. They provide most of Florida's annual rainfall, but lightening and strong winds from occasional severe storms can be costly. It was here in the summer of 1946 that scientists used weather radar, aircraft penetration flights, balloon soundings and an extensive network of surface instruments to gather - for the first time - observations which led to an understanding of the structure and life cycle of thunderstorms. This site was chosen because the frequency of thunderstorms in Florida is higher than anywhere else in North America. The Thunderstorm Project was conducted by U.S. Weather Bureau, Air Force, Navy and NACA (forerunner of NASA). Scientists working at the University of Chicago analyzed the resulting data. Theories they developed from observations made here in 1946 - and in the Ohio Phase of the Project the following summer - remain the cornerstone of our understanding of thunderstorms and related weather such as hail, strong winds,

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heavy rain and tornadoes.

Erected 1986 by Meteorologists from around the country in cooperation with the Department of State. (Marker Number F-309.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.

Location. 28° 14.748′ N, 81° 16.968′ W. Marker is in St. Cloud, Florida, in Osceola County. It is on 13th Street (U.S. 192) east of New York Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located on the northern perimeter of Veterans Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1201 13th Street, Saint Cloud FL 34769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

Wide view of The Thunderstorm Project Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012

2. Wide view of The Thunderstorm Project Marker

The marker sits in Veterans Park, as afternoon clouds above begin to form.

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Bell AH-1 Cobra (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Veterans Monument (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Park and Bandshell (within shouting distance of this marker); The Grand Army of the Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank/St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Mule Stable (about 500 feet away); Hamilton Disston Purchases Four Million Acres (about 600 feet away); Four Firsts (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Cloud.

Also see . . . AMS Journals Online - Thunderstorm Structure and Circulation. Data from Thunderstorm Project observations in Florida, derived mainly from airplane traverses through thunderstorms, are analyzed in order to obtain a description of thunderstorm structure and circulation. (Submitted on March 31, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,265 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.