本文探究二戰與戰後中美進行技術合作,共同構建氣象網絡,以取得天氣情報的經過與影響。1941年12月美國向日本宣戰,隨即派人來華尋求軍事合作的可能性。雙方經過討論取得共識,1943年4月由軍統局、美國海軍及戰略局,組成中美特種技術合作所,轄下設氣象組,負責設置氣象站與人員技術訓練。在從事氣象工作的過程中,雙方對亞洲氣象動態的認知不一,導致在設立氣象站地點有不同意見。但軍統局盡可能滿足美軍的要求,且因地制宜建置不同類型的氣象站。除此之外,軍統局亦動用其在各地活動的情報人員蒐集氣象情報,要求國民政府其他機構供給天氣資訊,使得氣象情報網在短時間內便初具雛形。在這些基礎上,中美合作所總部氣象人員得以整理、分析各地傳回的天氣數據,繪製天氣圖,提供美軍應用。由於中美合作所供給的氣象情報較為準確,自1944年9月美軍在執行軍事任務時,常以該所蒐集的情報做為參考依準。二戰結束後,美國繼續透過技術與設備援助,換取中國的氣象情報,且在中國重整氣象制度的過程中發揮影響力。
This article investigates the process and impact of Sino-American technical cooperation in meteorology in East Asia during World War II and the post-war period. After the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, the US government sent a mission to Chongqing to seek military cooperation with China. In April 1943, China's Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, the US Navy, and the US Office of Strategic Services decided to establish the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO). A meteorological team was formed in SACO responsible for setting up meteorological stations and training technical staff. While carrying out their work, however, SACO members on both sides held opposing opinions concerning Asian climate trends, which led to different views on the selection of locations to build weather stations. Even so, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics tried to comply with American officers, and various types of weather stations adapting to local conditions were founded. In addition, the Bureau mobilized agents throughout the country to collect meteorological data. Other agencies of the Nationalist government were also asked to provide weather information they gathered. In doing so, a network of meteorological intelligence soon began to take shape. With this information, SACO analyzed large amounts of data and drew weather maps, providing weather forecasts to the US military. As the weather information provided by SACO proved to be satisfactory, from September 1944 onwards, the US military relied more and more heavily on it. Whenever attacks were planned by the US military, SACO's weather information was always taken as important reference. In exchange for China's meteorological information, the US continued supplying China with meteorological technology and equipment after the war, which made significant impact on the reorganization of meteorological institutions in China.