Why has John Dalton been called the father of meteorology?

John Dalton was hailed as the "father of meteorology" by his contemporary, the British scientist John Frederic Daniell, due to his pivotal role in transforming meteorology from a subject of general folklore into a rigorous scientific pursuit.1

Dalton’s contributions included:

• Systematic Observation: He published Meteorological Observations and Essays in 1793, which compiled his own meticulous records alongside those of his colleagues. This work introduced original ideas that elevated the study of weather.1
• Instrumental Expertise: Trained by amateur meteorologists in the Lake District, Dalton possessed extensive practical knowledge in the construction and use of meteorological instruments, maintaining an avid interest in precise measurement throughout his life.1
• Physical Analysis of the Atmosphere: He challenged contemporary beliefs by arguing that the atmosphere was a physical mixture of gases rather than a chemical compound. He also defined partial pressure, a fundamental physical law stating that each constituent gas in a mixture exerts the same pressure it would if it occupied the space alone.1