Ingrid Holford

Ingrid Holford ( Bianchi, 1920–2012) was an English meteorologist and author. After graduating from University College London with a degree in economics, she was trained as a weather forecaster for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during World War II. She was a fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society and published articles and books on weather.

Early life and education Ingrid Bianchi was born on 10 January 1920. She attended Cheltenham Ladies' College and earned her first class honours B.S. in economics from University College London in 1941. She worked briefly as a statistician for the Central Statistical Office in London.

World War I In 1942, Holford answered an advertisement for science graduates to train in weather forecasting for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during World War II. She had a direct entry commission and trained in theory at the Air Ministry for three months and at airfields before the Royal Air Force confirmed her as a forecaster. She worked as an officer-weather forecaster for WAAF until 1946, lecturing and briefing aircrews. She was a council member of the society for three years. She gave talks on BBC Radio

Personal life Holford married yachtsman Garth Holford in 1948. They had two children and moved to Brockenhurst in 1978. They moved to Thames Ditton in 2002 before Garth's death in 2004. Holford herself died in 2012.

Selected publications Interpreting the Weather (1973) British Weather Disasters (1976) The Guinness Book of Weather Facts and Feats (1977) The Yachtsman's Weather Guide (1979) The Air Pilot's Weather Guide (1988)