Some of the most distinguished scientists in the land were members of the Meteorological Council, but to little effect. As a scientific institution, the Meteorological Office was moribund in the 1890s. A scientist with vision was required.

Changes in membership were rare, and those that did occur were forced. Sir John Lefroy deputized for Richard Strachey from April 1878 to April 1879 (whilst Strachey was in India, advising the India Meteorological Department). Professor Smith died in February 1883, and the vacancy that resulted from Strachey succeeding Smith as Chairman was filled by the Radcliffe Observer, Edward Stone. William Wharton succeeded Frederick Evans as Hydrographer in July 1884, and George Darwin joined the Council in February 1885, when Warren De La Rue resigned because of failing health. George Stokes resigned in November 1887, when elected Member of Parliament for the University of Cambridge, and his place on the Council went to Alexander Buchan, to represent the Scottish Meteorological Society. Thereafter, there were no more changes in membership for nearly ten years.