National Weather Service

Hill Valley's hovering greeting sign in the rain storm carried out in the city by the U.S. Weather Service on October 21, 2015.

Having landed the DeLorean time machine in the alleyway, Doc checks his wristwatch to see when the scheduled rain storm will end.

The October 22, 2015 issue of USA Today, with details of that morning's scheduled weather on the blue box-out in the bottom left-hand corner.

"Doc flipped off half a dozen switches [on the dashboard of the DeLorean time machine]. / 'First,' he told Marty, 'you're going to have to get out and change clothes.' / 'Doc!' Marty pointed at the ongoing flood on the other side of the windshield. 'It's pouring rain!' / 'Oh, right.' / Doc glanced at his watch. / 'Wait three more seconds.' / The rain stopped. Doc's head bobbed with satisfaction. / 'Right on the tick.' He glanced wistfully up at the sky. 'Too bad the post office isn't as efficient as the weather service.' "

—From Back to the Future Part II by Craig Shaw Gardner (quote, page 17)

The U.S. Weather Service reported the weather forecasts in conjunction with Hill Valley Airport's weather station in 1955, and by 2015 was controlling the weather.

In 2015, the weather appeared to be planned in advance, and was controlled by the weather service in the Hill Valley, California area — although its range, the extent of what kind of weather it controlled, and the technology it used (which was presumably regulated by both scientists and technicians) is unknown.

History

The U.S. Weather Service was controlling rain on the afternoon of October 21, 2015, with the floating skyway sign at the Hill Valley exit ramp on Skyway C25 warning drivers of "RN... [Rain] 20% VIS [Visibility]".

Emmett Brown knew when the storm would end, suggesting that the service was planned, rather than merely forecast. It was extremely accurate, and Doc mentioned that it was more efficient than the Post Office — though it remains unclear as to whether he was joking.

It's also possible that Doc, having previously been in downtown Hill Valley at that time, knew specifically when it had stopped raining. If so, it would be the reverse of when Marty had provided Doc in 1955 with the Clock Tower flyer that showed the specific time and place that a lightning bolt would strike.

According to the front page of the October 22, 2015 issue of USA Today, that morning's scheduled weather for the Hill Valley, California area (shown, along with the appropriate weather symbols, on a blue box-out in the bottom left-hand corner) was as follows:

• Mostly Clear — 12:00 AM - 1:36 AM
• Partly Cloudy — 1:37 AM - 6:36 AM
• Heavy Rain — 6:37 AM - 7:23 AM
• Light Showers — 7:24 AM - 7:29 AM

Behind the scenes

• There is actually no such thing as the U.S. Weather Service mentioned in Back to the Future Part II. The government agency in the United States which reports weather forecasts, gives warnings of hazardous weather and so on is called the National Weather Service, formed on February 9, 1870.

Actuality

• Although it is possible for scientists to manipulate or alter weather conditions, we're still a long way from having organizations like the U.S. Weather Service that are able to both control and schedule weather.
• There was no rain in California on October 21, 2015, otherwise known as Back to the Future Day, as the state was at the time experiencing a drought.

Appearances

• Back to the Future novelization (Mentioned only)
• Back to the Future Part II (Mentioned only)
• Back to the Future Part II novelization (Mentioned only)

See also

• National Weather Service on Wikipedia
• Weather modification on Wikipedia

External links

• Official website for the National Weather Service
• Weather Forecasts - Back to the Predictions
• Rain - Back to the Predictions
• History of the National Weather Service