Jan Macháč has managed Mořkov weather station for 51 years

Jan Macháč, an 87-year-old resident of Mořkov, has managed a local meteorological station for 51 years. His involvement began in 1975 following a sudden windstorm that destroyed a unique flax crop on his family's land. To facilitate insurance claims, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) established a station in the area, and Macháč became its data recorder and manager.

Over the decades, Macháč has adapted to technological advancements, transitioning from manual recording to using computers, specialized software, and automated systems. Although he maintained various roles as an agronomist throughout his life, weather monitoring became a personal passion.

He continues to monitor basic meteorological elements such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation, as well as snow levels and soil conditions. Recently, he noted extreme weather patterns, including record temperatures in early August reaching 37.3 °C, and remarked on unprecedented levels of drought.