JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Did you know Feb. 5 is National Weather Persons Day?
A day in which we recognize those who work to improve the field of Meteorology and maintain a vigil to help protect you and your family.
The day is not only for those who work on TV either, but also the many military members across the country who keep our soldiers, sailors and aviators safe around the world as well as those who work operationally and in research in Meteorology.
The date is not chosen at random, it marks the birthday of John Jefferies.
Jefferies was a pioneer in the field of Meteorology and was one of the first weather observers in the newly founded United States. He started taking weather observations in Boston in 1774 and in 1784 even took weather observations over London in a balloon. He also became the first balloonist to cross the English Channel in 1785. Thus, it's a day we recognize those who currently work in the field of weather, but also remember this pioneer in meteorology in early America.