Clyde Jerome Moss, Vancouver’s best-known weatherman, enjoyed a long career in several fields here.
Moss, born Oct. 11, 1883, in Nebraska, came to Vancouver as a boy. He owned and operated the Moss Bicycle and Sporting Goods Shop at Eighth and Washington streets in 1900. He later took over the Buick agency at the same location and for many years was a prominent automobile dealer.
During World War I, Moss was superintendent of the Sanford Shipyards in Vancouver. When World War II erupted, he served in the same capacity at Willamette Iron and Steel in Portland.
Moss was widely known here as the local weatherman. He operated a weather station from his home at 3114 Kauffman Ave., having taken over the responsibility from his father-in-law, A.A. Quarnberg, who had held the voluntary post since 1895.
Moss claimed the distinction of having the oldest weather station in a single location in the state. He was featured in a 1966 U.S. government publication, which noted Moss’ most unusual experience as a weather observer came during the Columbus Day storm, Oct. 12, 1962.
“Having a small hand anemometer, Mr. Moss was interested in determining the wind,” the publication said. “He managed to get a reading of 92 miles per hour before he looked up and observed part of the roof of his home being blown away. He decided it was time to make a quick retreat to a safer location.”
Moss died Oct. 2, 1973, in Vancouver at the age of 89.