Andrew Scott learned all about meteorology for his latest film Pressure
Andrew Scott plays World War II meteorologist James Stagg in a new film Pressure, which explores the crucial role weather forecasting played in D-Day
By Andrea Thompson edited by Kelso Harper & Marta Hill
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
If it weren’t for a weather forecast, D-Day—the largest seaborne invasion in history—would have taken place on June 5, as originally planned. And if that had happened, the invasion would have ended in disaster. Thousands of men would have been swamped by storm-whipped waves. Instead Allied forces waited a day, and the rest is history.
The story of this pivotal battle in World War II has been recounted in countless books, movies and miniseries. But one crucial ingredient in the invasion’s success—that forecast—is still little known to the broad public.
The story of that history-bending prediction is the subject of Pressure, a new movie that stars Andrew Scott as WWII meteorologist James Stagg. Senior desk editor Andrea Thompson spoke with the actor about WWII, meteorology and the challenges of analog weather forecasting in the 1940s.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
