CHAPTER XVI
DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERICAN WEATHER SERVICE
THE LARGEST AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE METEOROLOGICAL BUREAU IN THE WORLD
Even to those who are familiar with the application of meteorological science to the making of weather forecasts, and with the material benefits accruing to the commerce and industry of the United States from timely warnings of marine storms, frosts, and cold waves, it will be interesting to note that at the time of the founding of the first of the thirteen original Colonies, at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, practically nothing was known of the properties of the air or of methods for measuring its forces. To-day electrically recording automatic meteorological instruments measure and transcribe for each moment of time at two hundred stations in the United States, the temperature, the air pressure, the velocity of the wind, the direction of the wind, the beginning and ending of rainfall, with the amount of precipitation; and the presence of sunshine or cloud; and three thousand voluntary observers each day record the temperature and the rainfall.
That we live in an age of great intellectual acumen, and that he is indeed a wise prophet who can even dimly outline the possibilities of the next century, is fitly shown by the development of meteorological science during the recollection of the present generation; although one must admit that in the making of weather forecasts, valuable as they are, we have not advanced beyond the partly empirical stage. It is, therefore, improbable that in the making of these forecasts we shall ever attain the accuracy acquired by theoretical astronomy in predicting the date of an eclipse or the culmination of any celestial event.
It was not until 1644, twenty-four years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, that Torricelli discovered the principle of the barometer and rendered it possible to measure the weight of the superincumbent air at any spot where the wonderful yet simple little instrument might be placed. Torricelli’s great teacher—Galileo—died without knowing why nature, under certain conditions, abhors a vacuum, but he _had_ already discovered the principle of the thermometer. The data from the readings of these two instruments form the base of all meteorological science. Their inventors as little appreciated the value of their discoveries as they dreamed of the coming great western empire which should first use their instruments to measure the inception and development of storms, and later, with the aid of the electro-magnetic telegraph, to give warnings to threatened regions of the approach of hurricanes, cold waves, floods, and frosts that have been worth at least one hundred million dollars to this country during the past ten years without counting the many thousands of lives saved among mariners.
Doctor John Lining, of Charleston, South Carolina, kept a daily record of the temperature in this country as early as 1738, although the accurate thermometers of Fahrenheit had then been in use but a few years and the errors due to imperfect mechanical construction may have been considerable as compared with the refined instruments now used for measuring temperature. About one hundred years after the invention of the barometer, viz., in 1747, Benjamin Franklin, the patriot and statesman, the diplomat, the scientist, divined that certain storms may move in a direction opposite to the blowing of the wind and that they progress in an easterly direction. It was prophetic that this idea should come to him long before any one had ever seen charts showing observations simultaneously taken at many stations. But although his ideas in this respect were more momentous than his act of drawing the lightning from the clouds and identifying it with the electricity of the laboratory, yet his contemporaries thought little of his philosophy of storms, and it was soon forgotten. It will be interesting to learn how he reached his conclusion as to the cyclonic or eddy-like nature of storms. He had arranged with a co-worker at Boston to take observations of an eclipse at the same time that Franklin was taking readings at Philadelphia. Early on the evening of the eclipse an unusually severe northeast wind and rainstorm set in at Philadelphia and Franklin was unable to secure any observations. He reasoned that as the wind blew fiercely from the northeast the storm, of course, was coming from that direction, and Boston must have experienced its ravages before Philadelphia was reached. Reports indicated that the storm was widespread. What was the surprise of Franklin, when, after the slow passage of the mail by coach, he heard from his friend in Boston that the night of the eclipse had been clear and favorable for observations, but that a terrific northeast wind and rainstorm began early the following morning. Franklin then sent out inquiries to surrounding stage stations and found that at all places southwest of Philadelphia the storm began earlier and that the greater the distance the earlier the beginning as compared with its advent in Philadelphia; but northeast of Philadelphia the time of the beginning of the storm was later than at the latter city, the storm not reaching Boston until twelve hours after it began at Philadelphia. In considering these facts a line of inductive reasoning brought him to the conclusion that the wind always blows towards the center of the storm; that the northeast storm which Boston and Philadelphia had experienced was caused by the suction exercised by an advancing storm eddy from the west which drew the air rapidly from Boston toward Philadelphia, while the source of the attraction—the center of the storm eddy—was yet a thousand miles to the southwest of the latter place; that the velocity of the northeast wind increased as the center of the storm eddy advanced nearer and nearer from the southwest until the wind reached the conditions of a hurricane; that the wind between Boston and Philadelphia shifted its direction so as to come from the southwest after the center of the storm eddy had passed over this region; and that the force of the wind gradually decreased as the center of attraction—which always is the storm center—passed farther and farther away to the northeast.
Another man whose name is dear to the heart of every patriotic American conducted, in conjunction with a friend, a series of weather observations, beginning in 1771 and continued during the stirring times of the Revolution. This was the sage of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson.
During the first half of the nineteenth century, nearly a hundred years after Franklin’s northeast rainstorm, Redfield, Espy, Loomis, Henry, and other American scientists laboriously gathered by mail the data of storms after their passage and demonstrated their principal motions to be such as Franklin had supposed. Professor Joseph Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, in 1855, constructed the first daily weather map from simultaneous observations collected by telegraph. He did not publish his forecast but used his large wall map for the purpose of demonstrating the feasibility of organizing a Government weather service. If there were no other achievements to the credit of the institution founded in this country through the benevolence of the English philanthropist, James Smithson, who, by the way, never gazed upon our fair land, the work of the Smithsonian Institution in connection with practical meteorology would always give it a warm place in the hearts of those who believe the crowning achievements of science consist in giving to the world knowledge which results in the saving of human life, the amelioration of the sufferings of human beings, and the acceleration of the wheels of commerce and industry.
Although American scientists were the pioneers in discovering the progressive character of storms and in demonstrating the practicability of weather services, the United States was the fourth Government to give legal autonomy to a weather service. Holland established a weather service, with telegraph reports and forecasts, in 1860; England followed with a smaller service in 1861; and France in 1863. But none of these countries has an area from which observations can be collected great enough to give such a synoptic picture of storms as is necessary in the making of forecasts of much utility. It would require an international service, embracing all the countries of Europe, to equal, in extent of the area covered and of the accuracy of its forecasts, the service of the United States, which was begun in 1870, as the result of agitation by Lapham, Henry, Abbe, Maury, and others.
The vast region now brought under the dominion of twice daily synchronous observations embraces an area extending two thousand miles north and south, three thousand miles east and west, and so fortunately located in the interest of the meteorologist as to include an important arc on the circum-polar thoroughfare of storms of the northern hemisphere. Simultaneous observations, collected twice daily by telegraph from two hundred stations, distributed throughout this great area, renders it possible at several central offices, where all the reports are received, to present to the trained eye of the forecaster a wonderful panoramic picture of atmospheric conditions. Each twelve hours the kaleidoscope changes and a new graphic picture of actual changes is shown. The movements of storm centers and cold-wave areas are noted and estimates made as to their probable course during the next twenty-four hours. Where else can the meteorologist find such an opportunity to study storms and atmospheric changes?
In 1870, and for ten years thereafter, our forecasts and storm warnings were looked upon by the press and the people more as experiments than as serious statements. The newspapers especially were prone to facetiously comment on the forecasts, and many were clamorous for the abolition of the service during the first years of its existence. There was some ground for the criticisms. We knew nearly as much about the mechanics of storms at that time as we do to-day, but we had not, by a daily watching of the inception, the development, and the progression of storms, trained a corps of expert forecasters, such as now form a part of the staff of the Chief of the Weather Bureau, and from which the writer was graduated before he became Chief. Along about 1880, mariners began to note that danger signals were, in far more than a majority of cases, followed by heavy winds; they began to reason that it would be better to take precaution against storms that never came, than to be unprepared for those which did come according to the forecasts.
It is a fact that many times, by the operation of forces not indicated by the surface readings, the barometer at the center of a storm begins to rise and the velocity of the whirling mass to decrease. In such a case the storm signals placed in advance of the storm center would fail to give the proper information. Again, the storm center may suddenly acquire a force not anticipated, or it may pursue a track considerably divergent from the normal for the location and season. In this case, also, the forecasts may warn some cities that fail to receive the effects of the storm. However, during the past few years the staff of the Weather Bureau, which includes the ablest meteorologists in the United States, has made a study of the peculiarities of the different types of storms occurring in the different localities during the various seasons of the year, their line of travel and the force they may be expected to attain. Competitive examinations have been held to test the comparative merits of those who, by natural ability, are best fitted to correctly and quickly correlate in their minds the conditions shown on a meteorological chart, and to make accurate deductions therefrom as to the development, movement, and force of storms. This line of work and investigation has resulted in improved forecasts; so much so that mariners now universally heed the storm warnings; horticulturists and truck gardeners make ample provision for protection against frost; the shippers of perishable produce give full credence to the cold wave predictions. Of the many West Indian hurricanes which have swept our Atlantic seaboard from Florida to Maine during the past many years, not one has reached a single seaport without danger warnings being sent well in advance of the storm; and few unnecessary warnings have been issued. The result is that few disasters of consequence have occurred. Large owners of marine property estimate that one of these severe storms traversing our Atlantic coast in the absence of danger signals would leave not less than three million dollars’ worth of wreckage. Twice a census was taken just after the passage of severe hurricanes to determine the value of property held in port by the danger warning sent out in advance of the storms. In one case the figure was placed at thirty-four million dollars and in the other thirty-eight million dollars. Of course this does not represent the value of property saved. It simply shows the value of property placed in positions of safety as a result of the danger signals and warning messages sent to masters.
On January 1, 1898, an extensive cold wave swept from the Rocky Mountains eastward to the seaboard. Estimates secured from shippers in a hundred principal cities indicate that property valued at three million four hundred thousand dollars was saved as a direct result of the predictions sent out well in advance of the coming of the severe cold. The utility of these forecasts to the agriculture, the commerce, and the industry of the country is so great that there is hardly a daily paper that does not publish weather forecasts in a prominent place, and there is scarcely a reader who fails to note the predictions.
Twenty-five years ago mariners on our Great Lakes and seaboard depended on their own weather lore to warn them of coming storms. Then, although the number of craft plying our waters was much less than now, every severe storm that swept the Lakes or Atlantic coast left destruction and death in its wake, and for days afterward the dead were cast up by the receding waves, and the shores were lined with wreckage. Happily this is not now the case, for the Weather Bureau is ever watching the changes of atmospheric conditions, and giving to the mariner warning of coming storms. Each observer telegraphs instantly to the Central Office whenever the delicately adjusted instruments at his station show unusual agitation. By this means the inception of many storms is detected when the regular morning and evening reports fail to give notice of their origin.
Some idea of the vast interests floating on the Atlantic coast may be had when it is stated that 5628 trans-Atlantic steamers, with an aggregate of 10,076,148 tons, and 5842 sailing craft, aggregating 2,105,688 tons, entered and left ports on the Atlantic seaboard during a single year ten years ago, and the record is vastly greater now. The value of their cargoes is more than a billion and a half of dollars. Our coastwise traffic is enormous. Fifteen years ago more than seventeen thousand sailing vessels and four thousand steamers entered and left the ports between Maine and Florida. The number has largely increased since. From these facts one can roughly measure the value of the marine property which the Weather Bureau aims to protect by giving warning of approaching storms.
It is the expectation of the meteorologist that some day he will be able to accurately forecast the weather for weeks and months in advance. What a wonderful conservation of human energy would result if it were possible to tell the farmer when the great corn and wheat belts would have abundant rain during the next growing season, or when droughts would parch and wither the vegetation; or to truthfully inform the planter of the South that the coming season would be favorable or unfavorable for the production of cotton! Effort could be withheld in one part of the country, and greater energy exerted in another.
This extension of forecasting doubtless will be accomplished as the result of further study of solar impulses which disturb the orderly processes of the earth’s atmosphere and initiate storms, combined with a comparative study of meteorological data. We may be laying the foundation of a great edifice which shall adorn the civilization of future centuries.
As storms of more or less intensity pass over large portions of our country every few days during the greater part of the year, and as it is seldom that the weather report does not show one or more storms as operating somewhere within our broad domain, it is easy for some charlatan to forecast thunderstorms about a certain time in July, or a cold wave and snow about a certain period in January, and stand a fair chance to accidentally become famous as a prophet. One may select any three equidistant dates in January and forecast high wind, snow, and cold for New York City, and stand a fair chance of having the fraudulent forecast verified in two out of the three cases, provided that you claim a storm coming the day before or the day after one of your dates is the storm that you expected.
From the introduction of the electro-magnetic telegraph in 1844 down to 1869 intermittent advocations were made by many in this country for a national weather service. Finally Doctor Increase A. Lapham, of Milwaukee, scientist and philanthropist, so aroused the property and financial interests of the country with the facts that he presented relative to the destruction of life and property by storms on Lake Michigan that Congress, under provisions of a bill introduced by General Halbert E. Paine, was induced to appropriate money to initiate a service. To General Albert J. Meyer, Chief Signal Officer, U. S. A., was intrusted the duty of inaugurating a tentative weather service by deploying over the country as observers the military signalmen of his command. From this beginning has evolved the present extensive Weather Bureau, which is the largest in the world and more intimately serves the needs of the public than any other.
In 1869 Professor Cleveland Abbe published a weather bulletin at Cincinnati, based upon simultaneous observations secured by telegraph from about thirty stations. He was the first scientific assistant to General Meyer and remained continuously with the service until his death in 1919. Colonel (afterward Brigadier-General) H. H. C. Dunwoody, U. S. A., served twenty-seven years as an expert forecaster or as the assistant chief of the Weather Bureau. General A. W. Greely, of Arctic fame, the last of the military chiefs, succeeded Brigadier-General William B. Hazen on the death of the latter. Professor Mark W. Harrington was the first chief of the new civil Weather Bureau; he served but four years and was succeeded by Professor Willis L. Moore, who remained chief for eighteen years, serving two years under President Cleveland, who appointed him, and during the entire administrations of McKinley, Roosevelt, and Taft, and was removed by Woodrow Wilson immediately on taking office. Professor Moore claims the honor of having been the first presidential appointee to incur the displeasure and receive the public condemnation of Woodrow Wilson. The present chief is Professor Charles F. Marvin, who for many years served as an assistant to Professor Moore.
INDEX
INDEX
Abbe, Cleveland, 298; publishes weather bulletin, 305; his long service in the Weather Bureau, 305
Absolute humidity, 39
Absolute zero, 62
Aërial ocean, the air a great, 7
Aëroplane, importance of developing the, 27
Africa, and monsoon winds, 107; hottest and coldest places in, 279
Agricultural interests, benefit of Weather Bureau service to, 301, 302
Air, great ocean of, around the earth, 7; condition of, at various levels, 7-17; liquid, 9; blue tint of, 10; thinness of stratum of, that sustains life, 14; elasticity and density of, 14; pressure of, 15; weight of, 15; everything evolved from, 15-17; effect of cold wave on the, 36, 37; explorations of the, 18-28; circulation of the, 55; increasing pressure increases temperature of, 61; difference between weight and pressure of, 77; course of a current of, 99; earth warmer than, next above, 180; cools with ascent and heats with descent, 184; height of freezing cold in free, 185; daily range of temperature in free, 185, 186; movement of, in valleys, 204; mountains and movement of, 205; proper temperature and humidity of, in habitations, 217; water vapor in, at various temperatures, 284; retards falling raindrops, 285; and the formation of cloud, 287, 288
Air travel, Major Blair on, 27; Lieut. Col. Henry on, 28
Aitken, Robert Grant, method of counting dust motes, 44, 45
Altitude, gauged by boiling point of water, 60, 61; wind’s velocity increases with, 109-111; man’s adjustment to life at high, 186, 187; temperature at high, 210-212; amelioration of disease by moderate, 248, 249, 250
Altitudes, the cold and stillness in the higher, 10, 11
American Weather Service, development of, 291-306. _See_ also UNITED STATES WEATHER BUREAU
Ammonia, 33
Aneroid barometer, volunteer observers and the, 66; forecasting weather with the, 74-79
Animal life, necessity of oxygen to, 35
Anti-cyclone, general cause of, 98; general whirl of, 103; gyration of, 108, 109; an area of high pressure, 119
Appalachian Mountains, effects of higher elevation of, 231, 232
Argentine Republic, Christmas Day in, 274
Argon, 33
Arrows, on weather map fly with wind, 116, 118
Artificial rain making, experiments with, 288, 289
Asia, and monsoon winds, 106; hottest and coldest places in, 279-280
Astoria, Wash., climate of, 210
Atlantic Ocean, temperatures of waters of, 177
Atmosphere, of the sun, 2; of Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn, 3; carbon dioxide in, 5; thickness of earth’s, 6; how it is warmed, 8; absorption of heat rays by, 8; water vapor in earth’s, 8; temperature of isothermal stratum of, 11; gases of, in mechanical not chemical union, 32; importance of proper proportions of gases of the, 32; table of component parts of, 33; beneficial effects of cold wave on, 36, 37; dust motes and illumination of the, 45; data meager as to circulation of upper, 103, 104; storms and cold waves great eddies in the, 118; variations in temperature due to motion of, 163, 164; absorption of solar rays by the, 166-168
Atmospheres, how they are formed, 1; how maintained and how lost, 5; earth’s four, 29-47
Atmospheric air, composition of, 29-37
Atoms, early belief in formation of all matter of, 30; present knowledge of, 30, 31; composition of, 31; of various elements, 31, 32
Australia, and monsoon winds, 107; hottest and coldest places in, 280
Bacteria, and putrefaction diminish with elevation and over seas, 10; absence of, at high altitudes, 43; gathered by snow, ice, and water, 43; destroyed by sunshine, 248
Balloon, use of, in meteorological research, 19; record of temperatures at high altitudes by, 124, 210-212
Barometer, discovered by Torricelli, 23; aneroid, 66; forecasting weather with the aneroid, 74-79; table for forecasting weather by, 76; discovery of principle of, 77-79; effect of storms on, 79; low at Poles, 103; data from, in meteorological science, 292, 293
Bathing, fresh and salt water, 249
Berlin, Germany, temperature of earth at great depth at, 179; Christmas Day in, 271
Bermuda, sub-permanent Highs and Lows in region of, 159, 251; climate of, compared with Florida and California, 256-261; author’s visit to, 257; range of thermometer in Hamilton, 257; wind velocity and humidity in, 257, 258; charm of, 258; location of, 258; influence of ocean on climate of, 258, 259; character of islands of, 259, 260; flowers in, 260; wind and rainfall in, 261; meteorological statistics for, 264
Bethlehem of Judea, Christmas Day in, 268, 269
Bismuth, nucleus of atom of, 32
Blair, Major William R., on air travel, 27
Boiling point of water, 57, 58; as a gauge for altitude, 60, 61
Bombay, India, Christmas Day in, 272
Boston, Mass., influence of ocean on summer temperature of, 194
Bowie, E. H., National Forecaster, rules for forecasting, 151-153
Brazil, high temperature in interior of, 278
Cairo, Egypt, Christmas Day in, 272
Calcutta, India, Christmas Day in, 272
California, summer temperature of coast of, 194; wet and dry seasonal records in big trees of, 236, 237; climate of Bermuda compared with that of, 256-261
Calms, belt of, at equator, 99
Calorie. _See_ GRAM-CALORIE
Cape Town, South Africa, Christmas Day in, 274
Carbon, nucleus of atom of, 31
Carbon dioxide, in atmosphere of earth, 5; one of earth’s atmospheres, 29; functions of, 35-37; seasonal proportions of, in air, 35; proportions of, according to locality, 35; injurious proportion of, 35, 36; reaches maximum at night over land, 36; dissolved in sea water, 36; maximum at midday over oceans, 36; density of, 36
Carbonic acid gas. _See_ CARBON DIOXIDE
Carnegie Foundation, investigation of big trees in California, 236, 237
Caspian Sea, waters of, have receded, 235; again advancing, 235, 236
Centers of Action, 101; permanent Highs and Lows in Pacific Ocean are great, 158; influence of certain, on climate, 192-194
Centigrade scale, compared with Fahrenheit, 67, 68
Central America, changes of climate in, 238
Change of climate, mistaken ideas of, 225-230; importance of, to sub-arid West, 229; in period of authentic history, 233, 234; in United States, 235; simultaneous in Europe and America, 237; east and west, opposite in character from north and south, 237, 238; in Central America, 238; in middle latitudes, 239; in prehistoric times, 239; as recorded by geology, 239; shown by fossil remains, 239; and civilization, 240; author’s views on, 242, 243
Chautauqua lectures, author’s views on change in climate in, 242, 243
Chemical rays, a manifestation of solar energy, 49; of light, 52
China, Christmas Day in, 272, 273
China Sea, and monsoon winds, 106
Chinook winds, 107
Christmas in many climes, 266-275
Circulation of air, 55; general, of wind, 98-111
Cirrus clouds, 288
Civilization, influence of climate on, 213-224; mistaken idea of change of climate and, 229; must migrate with shifting of climatic belts, 240
Cleveland, President Grover, appoints Prof. Moore chief of Weather Bureau, 306
Climate, 161-187; difference between weather and, 161; changes in, 161; how it is modified and controlled, 188-212; its influence on civilization, 213-224; has our, changed?, 225-244; influence of forests on, 240-244; controlling factors of American, 243, 244; how to find the, you seek, 249-252; of Cuba, 252, 253; of Porto Rico, 253, 254; of the Hawaiian Islands, 254, 255; of the Philippines, 255, 256; of Bermuda compared with Florida and California, 256-261
Climates for health and pleasure, 245-281
Climatic conditions, optimum of, favorable to man, 218, 219
Cloud, temperature as affected by, 172; formation and composition of, 287, 288; difference between mist, rain, fog, and, 288; fundamental formations of, 288; characteristics of the, formations, 288; fog is, at a low level, 288
Cold, contraction of air by, 15; development of man favored by, climate, 224; severest: in North America, 277, 278; in South America, 278; in Europe, 279; in Asia, 280
Coldest and hottest places in the world, 275-281
Cold storage, efficient underground, 183, 184
Cold wave, scavenger of the air, 36, 37; beneficial effects of, 37; great eddies in atmosphere, 118; and speed of storm movement, 123-126; formation of, 124; movement of, 125, 126; detecting approach of, 125; limitations on extent of, 126; warnings of, by Bureau, 126, 127; definition of, 127, 128; maps showing zones of, 127, 128; number of, 128, 129; tempered by Great Lakes, 129, 130; tempered by heat of large cities, 130, 131; influenced by Rocky Mountain Divide, 131; Weather Bureau warnings of, 301, 302
Colorado Desert, Cal., extreme heat in, 277
Columbus, Christopher, and the trade winds, 102
Combustion, rapid in liquid air, 9; nitrogen will not support, 33; and oxygen, 34
Commerce, benefits of Weather Bureau service to, 301, 302
Condensation, and variations in temperature, 163, 164, 282-290
Congelation, 174
Constantinople, Turkey, Christmas Day in, 271
Continents, circulation between oceans and, 105; their influence on climate, 192-198; characteristics of temperature of interior of, 194, 195
Contour of land, and frost, 86-97
Convection, and heat, 54, 55
Copper, nucleus of atom of, 32
Coronas, 141
Cox, Prof. J. H., and observations on frost, 93, 94
Cranberry bogs, and frost, 93-95
Crime, influence of weather conditions on, 215
Cuba, climate of, 252, 253
Cultivation of land surface, and frost, 93-95
Cumulus clouds, 288
Cushing, comparison of temperatures by, 196, 197, 215
Cyclone, general cause of, 98; general whirl of, 103; gyration of, 107-109; the disk of air constituting a, 119; an area of low pressure, 119; action of the air in and around the, 120; movement of the, 120; general extent of, 141; destructive force of, 142
Cyclones, localities in which, are formed, 156, 157
Dawson, Canada, annual range of temperature at, 169
Death rate, excessive humidity increases, 216, 217
Death Valley, Cal., intense heat in, 275-277; area and forbidding character of, 276; temperature records taken in, 276, 277
Deflection, due to earth’s rotation, 107
Density of earth’s atmosphere at different levels, 6
“Descriptive Meteorology,” 141; reasons for change of opinion on change of climate expressed in, 233
Desert of Sahara, Africa, intense heat in, 279
Dew point, 38; and frost, 89, 90
Diathermancy, 56, 124
Dirigible balloon, as competitor of railroad, 19; importance of developing the, 27
Disease, elevation diminishes bacteria of, 10; amelioration of, by sunshine, 248
Drainage, influence on frost, 94
Droughts, the breaking of, 136
Dunwoody, Brig. Gen. H. H. C., expert forecaster and chief of Weather Bureau, 306
Dust, in the atmosphere, 33
Dust motes, absence of, at higher altitudes, 9; interference of sun’s rays by, 10; source of, 43, 44; vary according to locality, 44; counting of, 44, 45; and diffusion of light, 45, 46; and twilight, 46, 47
Eads Bridge, St. Louis, freak of tornado and the, 147
Earth, early condition of, 1; death of, due to lack of heat from sun, 3, 4; early condition of atmosphere of, 5; transmission of sun’s rays to, 7, 8; water vapor in atmosphere of, 8; four atmospheres of the, 29-47; comparison of heat of sun and of, 48; circulation of winds and rotation of, 98-111; deflection of winds due to rotation of, 107-109; conditions if axis of, were vertical, 164; variations of heat of morning, midday, and evening, 166; change of seasons and the, 166; percentage of solar rays reaching the, 166-168; lag of temperatures of the, 168; kept from freezing by water vapor, 170; how the, cools at night, 171, 172; great heat of interior of the, 178, 179; a poor reflector, conductor, and radiator, 179; temperatures at various depths in the, 179; warmer than air next above, 180; conditions if, were all land, 188-190; if axis of, were perpendicular to plane of orbit, 188, 189; conditions if, were all water, 190-192; the real, of land, water, and inclined axis, 192
Eclipse, study of sun’s atmosphere during, 2
Efficiency, weather conditions and human, 216; maximum and minimum periods of human, 217, 218
Electricity, and atoms, 31; a manifestation of solar energy, 49
Electron, nucleus of all atoms, 31
Elements, nuclei of atoms of various, 31, 32
England, second nation to establish weather service, 297
Equator, circulation of wind and temperature at, 99; belt of calms at, 99
Equatorial currents, 202, 203
Equinoctial storm, 140
Equinox, significance of, 140
Equinoxes (Fig. 21), 163
Espy, James P., his theory of continuation of storms, 156, 296
Ether, in outer space, 7; transmission of sun’s rays by, 7, 8; interstellar space filled with, 48; man’s ignorance of structure of, 48; transmission of solar energy through, 49
Eurasia, cooling of continent of, in winter, 106; extremes of temperature in continent of, 195-197
Europe, sections of, where climatic conditions are best, 245; hottest and coldest places in, 279
Evaporation, 58, 59; cooling effects of, 74; and frost, 92; lowers temperature of wet soil, 180
Fahrenheit Scale, compared with Centigrade, 67, 68
Floods, influence of forests on, 240-244; flow of, not restricted by forests, 244
Florida, climate of Bermuda compared with that of, 256-261
Fog, formation of, 92, 288; and frost, 92; temperature as affected by, 172
Föhn winds, 107
Forecasting, general rules for, 149-153; importance of use of weather map in, 149; the temperature by amateurs, 149, 151; expectations of future, 303, 304; fake, 304
Forests, exaggerated idea of influence of, on climate, 198, 200; their influence on climate and floods, 240-244; the author’s opinion on, 241; as conservers of rainfall, 241; mistaken idea of value of, as conservers, 243; need of protection of, 243; restrict flow of moderate rainfall but not floods, 244
Fossil remains, as evidence of changes of climate, 239
France, third nation to establish weather service, 297
Franklin, Benjamin, his study and theory of storm movements, 293-296
Freezing, of fresh and salt water, 173-175; height of, cold in free air, 185
Frost, 85-97; causes of formation of, 85; light, heavy and killing, 86; dew point in relation to, 89, 90; black, 90; locality and immunity from, 90, 91; conditions conducive to, 91; Weather Bureau observations on, 91, 92; evaporation and, 92; cultivation of land surface and, 93-95; effect of sand covering on, 94, 95; dates of killing, spring and fall, 96, 97, 287
Fuel, proper humidity and conservation of, 73, 74
Galileo, and the thermometer, 23, 292, 293
Gases of the atmosphere, in mechanical not chemical union, 32; importance of proper proportions of, 32
Geology, evidence of changes of climate given by, 239
Germs, in the atmosphere, 33
Glacial periods, 239
Glaciers, movement of, 60; recession and advancement of, 239
Glashier, English meteorologist, balloon ascension by, 20
Gold, nucleus of atom of, 32
Gram-calorie, unit of heat, 51
Great Ice Cap, possible return of, 240
Great Lakes, temper severity of cold waves, 129, 130; benefit of Weather Bureau service to mariners on the, 302
Greely, Gen. A. W., chief of Weather Service, 306
Gulf Stream, West Indian hurricanes generally follow the, 133, 201; influence of, on climate, 202, 203; source and course of, 202, 203; individuality of the, 203; has no effect on climate of Bermuda, 258, 259
Gyration, due to earth’s rotation, 108, 109
Hail, formation of, 287; and thunderstorms, 287; attempted prevention of, 290
Hailstones, foreign matter in, 284; formation and size of, 287
Halos, cause and nature of, 140, 141; lunar, 141
Harrington, Prof. Mark W., first chief of new civil Weather Bureau, 306
Havana, Cuba, climate of, 253
Hawaiian Islands, climate of the, 254, 255
Haze, nature and characteristics of, 282
Hazen, Brig. Gen. William B., chief of Weather Service, 306
Health, north winds conducive, south winds detrimental to, 26; temperature in its relation to, 216; semi-annual maximum and minimum periods of, 217, 218
Health seeker, all-the-year climate for the, 252
Heat, expansion of air by, 15; possibility of using earth’s interior, 18; how it reaches the earth, 46; source of, 49; of sun and earth compared, 48; manifestation and transmission of, 48, 49, 51; difference between temperature and, 49, 50; commercial and scientific unit of, 50, 51; difference between waves of light, sound, and, 51; conduction of, 54; radiation of, 54; convection of, 54, 55; absorption of, 55, 56; specific, 56; latent, 56-58; differing temperatures with same solar, 162-166; great capacity of water for, 200, 201; ocean currents distributors of, 201, 202; extreme, in Death Valley and Colorado Desert, 275-277; in South America, 278; in Africa, 279; in Europe, 279; in Asia, 279, 280; in Australia, 280
Heat rays, absorption of sun’s, 8
Heat waves, difference between light, sound, and, 51; length of, 51
Helium, in earth’s atmosphere, 5, 6; importance of manufacture of, 19; nucleus of atom of, 31
Henry, Prof. Joseph, compiles first weather map, 296
Hersey, Lieut. Col. Henry B., on dirigibles and airplanes, 28
High-pressure belts, rains of the, 105
Highs, initiation of, 101; placing of, on weather map, 115, 116; characteristics of, 124; conditions and action of air of, 131-133; periodicity of, 132; and warm waves, 136; influence of certain, on climate, 192-194
Himalaya Mountains, and monsoon winds, 106, 206; and climate of Asia, 206; rainfall in the, 206
Holland, establishes first weather service, 297
Holy Land, formerly an abundance of water in, 235
Honolulu, Hawaii, climate of, 254
Hottest and coldest places in the world, 275-281
Human energy, climate and the distribution of, 220
Humboldt, Baron von, on civilization and climate, 214
Humidifiers, 72
Humidity, percentage expression of relative, 38, 39; absolute, 39, 68-74; tables of relative, 69-71; importance of proper, in living quarters, 72; diseases due to lack of, 73; and conservation of fuel, 73, 74; excessive, harmful to man, 216, 217; proper percentage of, 217
Huntington, Ellsworth, comparison of temperatures by, 196, 197, 215; on human energy, 217, 218; on examination of big trees in California, 236, 237
Hurricane, West Indian, 133, 134; the Galveston, 134; nature and development of, 134, 135; exposure of Atlantic coast to effects of, 135, 136
Hurricanes, general extent of, 141
Hydrogen, in earth’s atmosphere, 5, 6; nucleus of atom of, 31; and oxygen combined to form water, 32; density of, 39; combustible properties of, 39; sources of supply of, 39, 40
Hygrometer, for measuring water vapor, 39
Ice, and bacteria, 43; formation of, 43; specific heat of, 56; latent heat of melting, 57; melting of, under pressure, 60
Ice ages, 239
Ice Cap, possible return of Great, 240
Iceland, sub-permanent Highs and Lows in region of, 159
Inclosed seas, temperature of waters of, 176-178; latitude, season and depth change temperature of, 177, 178
Indian Ocean, and monsoon winds, 106, 107; temperature of waters of, 176
Industry, benefits of Weather Bureau service to, 301, 302
Instrument shelter, 66-68
Instruments, in meteorological stations, 63; for voluntary observer, 66-79
Invisible light, 52, 53
Iron, nucleus of atom of, 32
Isobars, on weather map, 115
Isothermal lines, ocean currents and changes in, 201, 202
Isothermal stratum, height of, 11; temperature of, 11, 12, 211
Jacksonville, Fla., meteorological statistics for, 263
Japan, Christmas Day in, 273
Jefferson, Thomas, on the changing climate, 227; records of readings of thermometer by, 232; barometrical records of, 233; loss of his barometer, 233; weather observations by, 296
Jupiter, atmosphere of, 3; and heat from sun, 3
Justice, weather records serve ends of, 79-83
Kansas City, Mo., climate of, 210
Kelvin, Lord, on the size of molecule of water, 30
Kites, in meteorological research, 19; use of, by Weather Bureau, 22; rectangular form of, 22; observations from, 64; construction and flying of, 64-66
Krakatoa, effects of eruption of, 43, 44
Krypton, 33
Lake Owens, Cal., waters of, have receded, 235
Lake Superior, temperature of waters of, 178
Lakes, influence of, on climate, 199, 200
Lapham, Dr. I. A., 298; urges establishment of weather service, 305
Latent heat, 56-58
Latitude, its relation to health, strength, and efficiency of man, 218
Lead, nucleus of atom of, 32
Life, the atmosphere in relation to beginnings of, 2, 3; thinness of stratum of air that sustains, 14; how to prolong, 246; in the open air and sunshine, 247-249
Light, slight refraction of, in higher altitudes, 9; diffused by dust motes, 45; source of, 49; how it reaches the earth, 49; a manifestation of solar energy, 49; invisible, 52, 53; and transparency, 56; speed of, 162; from the stars, 162
Light waves, difference between heat, sound, and, 51; length of, 51; velocity of, 51, 52; and invisible light, 52, 53
Lining, Dr. John, temperature records kept by, 293
Liquid air, 9
Local forecasting, rules for making, 153-155
Lofoten Islands, temperatures recorded in the, 196
London, England, Christmas Day in, 269, 270
Loomis, Elias, 296
Los Angeles, Cal., climate of, 210; meteorological statistics for, 262
Lows, the initiation of, 101; placing of, on the weather map, 115, 116; characteristics of, 124; their influence on cold waves, 126; conditions and action of air of, 131-133; periodicity of, 132; and warm waves, 136; V-shaped, 137; influence of certain, on climate, 192-194
Lunar halos, 141
Macready, Lieut. John A., altitude record of, 20
Mammoth Cave, temperature of, 181
Man, climate and the dominant races of, 213-224; conditions best suited to health, strength, and efficiency of, 215, 216; excessive humidity harmful to, 216, 217; semi-annual maximum and minimum periods of efficiency of, 217, 218
Manila, P. I., climate of, 255
Maritime interests, benefits of Weather Bureau service to, 300-303
Marvin, Prof. Charles F., present chief of Weather Bureau, 306
Matter, early belief as to construction of all, 30; present knowledge of nature of, 31; determination of differences in, 31; forms of simple, 31
Maury, Matthew F., 298
Mazatlan, Mexico, climate of, 209
Mediterranean Sea, temperatures of waters of, 177
Melbourne, Australia, Christmas Day in, 275
Mental activities, and weather conditions, 215, 216
Mercury, density of, compared to air, 15; nucleus of atom of, 32
Mesopotamia, former fertility of, 234, 235
Meteorological conditions best suited to efficiency of man, 216
Meteorological science, in America, 291-306. _See_ also UNITED STATES WEATHER BUREAU
Meteorological station, instruments installed in, 63
Meteorological statistics, tables of: for Los Angeles, Cal., 262; for Miami, Fla., 262; for Jacksonville, Fla., 263; for San Diego, Cal., 263; for Tampa, Fla., 264; for Bermuda, 264
Meteorologists, association of aviator with, in map making, 23
Meteors, cause of luminosity of, 6
Meyer, Gen. Albert J., inaugurates tentative weather service, 305
Mexico City, climate of, 209, 210
Miami, Fla., temperature and rainfall at, 261; meteorological statistics for, 262
Microbes of the air, 41-43; functions of the useful varieties of, 41, 42; and locality, 42; and crowded habitations, 42; effect of sunshine on, 42, 43; dust-free air free of, 44
Milwaukee, Wis., rules for forecasting at, 153-155
Mind, effects of weather conditions on, 215
Mock moon, 141
Mock sun, 141
Molds, destroyed by sunshine, 248
Molecule, infinitesimal size of, of air and of water, 29, 30; of raindrop, 282, 283
Molecules, space between, of gases, 29
Monsoon winds, 106, 107
Moon, a dead planet, 4; absence of atmosphere around, 4, 5; temperature of dark side of, 5; has no influence on weather, 138-140; and the tides of the ocean, 139; no influence on crops, 140; and halos, 141; mock, 141
Moore, Prof. Willis L., experience at Chautauqua lectures, 19; prediction of transoceanic flight by airplane, 19, 20; experiments with small gas balloons, 21; appointed chief of Weather Bureau, 306; long service as chief, 306; removal of, 306
Moscow, Russia, Christmas Day in, 273
Mountain air, beneficial effects of, 249, 250
Mountains, why peaks of, are cold, 8, 171; effect of, on climate, 204-206; and rain and snow, 205, 206
Mount Weather, Va., research work at, 21, 22; value of work at, in World War, 24, 25; altitude record of temperature at, 211, 212
Munich, Bavaria, record of earth’s temperatures at, 168
Neon, 33
Neptune, atmosphere of, 3; and heat from sun, 3
New Bedford, Mass., daily weather records for long period at, 228
New York, N. Y., influence of ocean on summer temperature of, 194
Nimbus clouds, 288
Nitric acid, 33
Nitrogen, in atmosphere of earth, 8; one of earth’s atmospheres, 29; nucleus of atom of, 31; debilitating effects of, 32; functions of, 33; absence of, above fifty miles, 212
North America, and monsoon winds, 107; hottest and coldest places in, 275-278
“Northwester”, cause of, 117
Observations, great number and vast area covered by Weather Bureau, 298. _See_ also WEATHER OBSERVATIONS
Ocean, intense cold at bottom of, 175, 176; temperature of inclosed seas differ from those of, 176, 177; temperatures of Atlantic, 177; latitude, season and depth changes temperatures of, 177, 178; direction of wind affects shore temperature of, 178; influence of, on climate, 192-198; climate of Bermuda controlled by, 258, 259
Ocean currents, influence of, on climate, 200-202; circulation of, follows winds, 200-202; great distributors of heat, 201, 202
Oceans, circulation between continents and, 105
“Oldest Inhabitant”, hallucinations of, as to weather, 225-228
Open air, life in the, 247-249
Organic matter, in atmosphere, 33
Oxygen, in atmosphere of earth, 8; and liquid air, 9; one of earth’s atmospheres, 29; nucleus of atom of, 31; stimulating effect of, 32; union of, with hydrogen to constitute water, 32; functions of, 33-35; proportion of, in free air, 34; in places with restricted ventilation, 34; necessary to life, 35; causes of decrease of, 37; ozone is highly electrified, 40; absence of, above thirty miles, 212
Ozone, 33; source of, 40; characteristics of, 40; effects of, 40, 41; variation of, due to seasons and locality, 41; effects of winds on, 41
Paris, France, Christmas Day in, 270
Permanent Highs and Lows in the Pacific, great Centers of Action, 158; interference with storms from Orient by, 158
Petrograd, Russia, Christmas Day in, 273
Philippine Islands, climate of the, 255, 256
Pittsburgh, Pa., climate of, 210
Planets, quicker cooling of the small, 2; lifeless, 2, 3
Plant life, necessity of oxygen to, 35; carbon dioxide and, 35
Poles, temperature and circulation of wind at the, 99; barometer low at, 103; not the coldest points in the world, 280
Population, storm tracks and, 214-223
Porto Rico, climate of, 253, 254
Precipitation, factors controlling, of a region, 230
Pressure, difference between, and weight of air, 77; belt of high, at latitudes 30° north and south, 99, 101; indicated on weather map by Highs and Lows, 115, 116
“Principles of Human Geography”, 196, 215; quoted, 219, 220, 236, 237
Putrefaction, bacteria of, diminish with elevation, 10
Races of Man, climate and the dominant, 213-224
Radiation, earth, 8; of heat, 54; and frost, 85-97; and circulation of wind, 98; earth and air cooled by, 171; and temperature of valleys, 203, 204
Radium, nucleus of atom of, 32
Raindrops, size and composition of, 282; falling or evaporation of, 283; where, are formed, 283; what causes, 284; cannot form at great altitudes, 284; velocity of falling, 284, 285; air retards falling, 285
Rainfall, cause of heavy, in tropics, 104, 105; monsoon winds and heavy, 106; in Himalaya Mountains, 206; average monthly, in North America and in the Old World, 207-210; forests as conservers of, 241; in Hawaiian Islands, 255; instantaneous precipitation of all water vapor and, 285; causes of heavy, 285
Rain making, artificial, 288, 289
Rain water, pure when condensed, 284; collects impurities in falling, 284
Redfield, 296
Red Sea, temperatures of waters of, 176
Reflection, water rejects heat by, 172
Refrigerator, an economical, 59
Relative humidity, tables of, 69-71
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Christmas Day in, 274
Rivers, influence of, on climate, 199, 200
Rocky Mountains, influence on cold waves by the, 131; effects of reduction in height of, 230-232; records inscribed by waters on, 234, 235
Rome, Italy, Christmas Day in, 272
Rotation of earth, deflection caused by, 107-109
Russia, Christmas Day in, 273
St. Louis, Mo., tornado of 1896 in, 146-148
St. Paul, Minn., climate of, 210
Salt, in atmosphere, 33
Samoa, annual range of temperature in, 169
Sand, as a preventive of frost, 94, 95
San Diego, Cal., lowest temperature recorded at, 129; meteorological statistics for, 263
Sanitaria, 250
San Juan, Porto Rico, climate of, 253, 254
Santiago, Chili, Christmas Day in, 274
Saturation, point of, 38; dew point and, 38; varies according to temperature of air, 38, 39
Saturn, atmosphere of, 3; and heat from sun, 3
Schroeder, Major R. W., 11; altitude record of, 20; experience of, 20
_Scientific American, The_, on statistics of climate, 265, 266
Sea air, beneficial effects of, 249
Seasons, cause of change of, 166-168; reversal of, in the northern and southern hemispheres, 169; conditions resulting in no, 188, 190; forces that influence and control the, 188-190
Silver, nucleus of atom of, 32; best conductor of heat among the metals, 54
Sleet, snow and the formation of, 286, 287
Smith, Robert Angus, on carbon dioxide, 34, 36
Smithson, James, 297
Smithsonian Institution, 296; activities in practical meteorology, 297
Snow, water vapor in congealed form, 285; beauty and variety of crystals of, 286; and the formation of sleet, 286, 287
Solar energy, transmission of, through the ether, 49
Solids, heat expands most, 59
Solstices (Figs. 22 and 23), summer and winter, 164; (Fig. 26), 167
Sound waves, difference between heat, light, and, 51; length of, 51; velocity of, 51, 52
South America, and monsoon winds, 107; hottest and coldest places in, 278
Space, ether in outer, 7, 48; temperature of outer, 9; darkness of outer, 9; the proof of lack of light in, 9, 10; transmission of heat through, 48; absence of atmosphere in, 48
Stars, size of, and distance from earth, 162
Statistics, tables of meteorological, 262-264; _The Scientific American_ on climate, 265, 266
Steel, burns in liquid air, 9
Storm, in winter of 1893, 117-123; Franklin’s study and theory of, movements, 293-296; abnormal movement of some, centers, 300
Storms, terrible nature of, in early history of creation, 1; general rules for forecasting, 75-79; general action of, 115; great eddies in atmosphere, 118; movement of, 118, 119; cold waves as affecting speed of, 123-126; locality of origin of majority of our, 132; general movement of, 133; equinoctial, 140; tornadoes, 141-148; and their relation to density of population, 220-223; ten-year record of, 221, 222; area and movement of cyclonic, 231; Weather Bureau’s study of types of, 299, 300; peculiar action of barometer in some types of, 299, 300; Weather Bureau detects inception of, 302; frequency of, 304
Storm tracks, civilization follows the, 213-224
Stratus clouds, 288
Strength, temperature and its relation to physical, 216
Sub-permanent Highs and Lows, 158; of the Pacific a bar to storms from the Orient, 158; effect of change of position of, 158-160; in the region of Iceland and Bermuda, 159
Sulphates, in atmosphere, 33
Sulphur, nucleus of atom of, 31, 32
Summer, difference in length of, in northern and southern hemispheres, 169
Summer resort, an aërial, 13, 14
Summer temperature gradients in isothermal stratum, 12
Sun, atmosphere of the, 2; conditions for beginning of life on the, 2, 3; will be no life on, 3; effect on earth of cooling of the, 4; transmission of rays of, by the ether, 7, 8; absorption by oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor of rays of, 8; and twilight, 46, 47; comparison of heat of earth and of, 48; mock, 141; only source of appreciable heat, 162; earth’s orbit around, 165; cause of variation in heat of, reaching earth, 166; absorption by atmosphere of rays of, 166
Sunshine, life in the open air and, 247-249; destroys molds, 248
Supra-red rays, remedial powers of, 248
Tampa, Fla., temperature and rainfall at, 261; meteorological statistics for, 264
Telescope, agitations of sun’s atmosphere revealed by, 2
Temperate zone, highest type of civilization found in the, 213-224
Temperature, of the isothermal stratum, 11, 12; and water vapor, 37, 38; difference between heat and, 49, 50; proper method of taking, 63; and frost, 85-97; and circulation of wind, 98-111; red lines on map indicate similarity of, 122, 123; record of, by balloons at high altitudes, 124; how amateurs may forecast, 151; with same solar heat differing, 162-166; causes of variations in, 163; of oceans, lakes, and rivers, 172, 173; extremely low, of ocean bottoms, 175, 176; of water changes with latitude, season and depth, 177; of earth at depth of 3490 feet, 179; daily range of, in free air, 185, 186; of interior of continents, 194; of coastal regions influenced by ocean in summer, 194; lowest recorded, at Weather Bureau, 195; highest, July, 195; average maximum and minimum, recorded by Weather Bureau, 195; extremes of, in Eurasian continent, 195-197; questionable effect of Gulf Stream on, 203; influence of valleys on, 203, 204; extremes of, on mountains, 204, 205; average monthly, in North America and the Old World, 207-210; at high altitudes, 210-212; effects of changes of, on man, 215; in its relation to health, strength, and efficiency, 215, 216; and mental activity, 216; proper percentage of humidity and, 217; the optimum of, for energy, 218, 219; regions of favorable, the summer, 250; author’s record of, in Bermuda, 257
Temperature inversion, 171
Temperatures, lag of earth’s, 168; annual range in air, 168, 169; highest and lowest: in North America, 275-278; in South America, 278; in Africa, 279; in Europe, 279; in Asia, 279, 280; in Australia, 280
Thermometer, Galileo’s discovery of principles of, 23; principles and discovery of, 62, 63; comparison of Fahrenheit and Centigrade scales of, 67, 68; data from, and meteorological science, 293
Thomson, Sir William. _See_ LORD KELVIN
Thorium, nucleus of atom of, 32
Thunderstorms, effect of, on Lows, 132; cause, extent and movement of, 137; frequency of, 138; Highs and, 138; temperature and, 138; Lows and, 138; locale of, 138; and the formation of hail, 287
Tornadoes, 141-148; extent of, 141, 142; velocity and destructive force of, 142; locale of, 142; frequency of, 142; rate of movement and general direction of, 142; warnings of coming of, 142; seeking safety during, 142, 143; an American type of storm, 143; presence of water vapor necessary to cause, 144; use of weather map in forecasting, 144, 145; not increasing, 145; difficulty of forecasting, 146, 147; freaks of, 147, 148
Toronto, Canada, climate of, 210
Torricelli, and the barometer, 23, 292, 293
Trade winds, 101, 102
Transparency, 56
Tropical zone, cause of torrential rains in the, 100
Tropics, rain winds of the, 104, 105
Tubercle bacillus, destroyed by sunshine, 248
Twilight, and dust motes, 46, 47
Ultra-violet Rays, remedial powers of, 248
Underground habitations, plan for unique, 180-184
United States, where climatic conditions are best in the, 245; fourth nation to establish weather service, 297
United States Weather Bureau, experiments with small gas balloons, 21; observations with kites by, 21, 22; storm warnings by, 24; and voluntary observers, 66; method of taking readings by, 66-79; ends of justice served by records of, 79-83; and prevention of frost, 95-97; maps prepared by, 112-160; timely warnings by, 117; when warnings are displayed by, 122; warnings of cold waves by, 126, 127; definition of “cold wave” by, 127, 128; and tornado warnings, 146, 147; on forecasting, 151-153; rules for forecasting at Milwaukee, Wis., 153-155; extent of area under observation by, 155-158; comparison of crime and records of, 215; rainfall records by, 237, 241; record of floods by, 241; and fake prevention, of hail, 290; stations and observations of the, 291, 292; fourth national weather service established, 297; the result of efforts by American scientists, 298; vast area under daily observation by, 298; number of observations twice daily by, 298; first work of, regarded as experimental, 299; advance in efficiency of, 299; growing faith in work of, 299; its study of types of storms, 299, 300; competitive examinations held by, 300; warnings by, now accepted, 300; warnings of West Indian hurricanes by, 300; value of property saved through warnings of, 301; utility of warnings of, 301, 302; and warnings to mariners on Great Lakes, 302; inception of storms detected by, 302; expectations of future forecasting by, 303, 304; first tentative, established, 305
Uranium, nucleus of atom of, 32
Uranus, atmosphere of, 3; and heat from sun, 3
Valleys, influence of, on temperature, 203, 204
Vaporization, latent heat of, 58, 59
Vegetation, oxygen and, 36; carbon dioxide and, 36; and frost, 85-97
Velocity increased by altitude, wind’s, 109-111
Ventilation, detrimental effects of poor, 34; need of, in closed or low places, 36; in places of habitation, 37; and underground apartments, 182, 183
Vera Cruz, Mexico, climate of, 209
Verkhoyansk, Siberia, extremes of temperature at, 196, 197; Christmas Day in, 273
Vienna, Austria, Christmas Day in, 271
V-shaped Lows. _See_ LOWS
Warm waves, cause and duration of, 136, 137
Washington Monument, pressure of air at top of, 79
Water, density of, compared to air, 15; infinitesimal size of molecule of, 30; union of hydrogen and oxygen to constitute, 32; and bacteria, 43; commercial and scientific unit of heat and, 50, 51; boiling point of, 58; boiling point of, as gauge for altitude, 60, 61; frost as affected by body of, 90, 91; rejects heat by reflection, 172; solar rays penetrate, 173; temperatures of large bodies of, 173; difference in freezing temperature of fresh and salt, 173; salt, better conductor of heat, 173; a wonderful phenomenon of fresh, 173-175; low temperature of, of ocean bottoms, 175, 176; temperature of, of inclosed seas and oceans, 176, 177; latitude, season and depth change temperature of, 177, 178; direction of wind affects shore temperature of, 178; has great capacity for heat, 200, 201
Water vapor, and earth’s atmosphere, 8; absorption of sun’s rays by, 8; level of, 8; one of earth’s atmospheres, 29; density of, 37; varies according to locality, 37, 38; temperature and, 38; precipitation of, 38, 231; transformations of, 38; and the dew point, 38; saturation point and temperature, 38; measured by hygrometer, 39; and frost, 85-97; protects earth from freezing, 170; changes in sun’s rays effected by, 170; a separate atmosphere, 231; and raindrops, 284; rainfall and instantaneous precipitation of all, 285; and snow, 285-287; and fog, 288
Waves, difference between light, heat and sound, 51; length of different, of solar energy, 51; velocity of, 51, 52
Weather, forecasting, with aneroid barometer, 74-79; moon has no influence on, 138-140; general rules for forecasting, 149-153; difference between climate and, 161; changes daily, 161; expectations of future forecasting of, 303, 304. _See_ also UNITED STATES WEATHER BUREAU
“Weather Forecasting in the United States”, 151
Weather map, value of aviator in compiling, 23, 112-160; supplied by Weather Bureau, 112; value of, 112, 113; advantage of familiarity with, 113, 114; method of compiling, 114; collection of data for, 114, 115; marking isobars on, 115; Highs and Lows of, 115, 116; indication of storm action on, 115; arrows fly with wind on, 116, 117; winter storm of 1893 on, 117-123; temperature readings on, 119; indication of storm center on, 121; meaning of red lines on, 122, 123; forecasting tornadoes by use of, 144, 145; general rules for forecasting and the, 149-153; Prof. Henry compiles first, 296. _See_ also UNITED STATES WEATHER BUREAU
Weather observers, voluntary, 66-79
Weather observations, from kites, 64; method of taking, 66-79; extent of area under, 155; practice of early meteorologists in, 155, 156; advantages enjoyed by the Weather Bureau in, 156-158. _See_ also UNITED STATES WEATHER BUREAU
Weather records, serve ends of justice, 79-83. _See_ also UNITED STATES WEATHER BUREAU
Weight, difference between, and pressure of air, 77
Wendham, first to use multiple plane kites, 64
West Indian Hurricane. _See_ HURRICANE
Wheeling, W. Va., temperature of earth at depth of 3490 feet at, 179
Wilson, President Woodrow, removes Prof. Moore from office of chief of Weather Bureau, 306
Wind, and pressure of the globe, 98-111; why it blows, 116; cause of variation in velocity of, 116-117
Winds, trade, 101, 102; of middle latitudes, 102, 103; rain, of tropics, 104, 105; rain in the region of west, 105; variations in coastal, 106; monsoon, 106, 107; Föhn, 107; Chinook, 107; deflected by earth’s rotation, 107-109; velocity of, as affected by altitude, 109-111; West Indian hurricane, 133, 134; of Galveston hurricane, 134; of tornadoes, 141-148; of latitudes 30° north and south, 194
Winter resorts, with favorable climate, 251
Winter storm of 1893, 117-123
Winter temperature gradients in isothermal stratum, 12
Xenon, 33
Yakutsk, Siberia, annual range of temperature at, 169
Zero, absolute, 62
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Unless otherwise expressed in this book it will be understood that all temperatures are recorded by the Fahrenheit scale.
[2] The author wishes that this were literally true, for he believes that no great man or great woman ever was born from a mother with a painted face, dyed lips, false hair, and a body pitifully distorted by ungracefully ambling about in high heeled shoes. The power of suggestion is so great in its influence on the plastic mind of youth that a mother who is little else than a perambulating falsehood will leave descendants wanting in many if not all of the attributes of manly and womanly virtues.
[3] John Wiley & Sons, New York.
[4] “Principles of Human Geography”, Huntington and Cushing. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Some Charts and Figures have been moved to be closer to the text paragraph they illustrate.
The very large wide multi-page table on relative humidity on pages 69, 70 and 71 has been split into seven parts to keep the width under 75 characters. The wide tables on pages 262, 263 and 264 have each been split into two parts.
Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources.
Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added, when a predominant preference was found in the original book.
Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.
Pg 13: ‘important inform ion’ replaced by ‘important information’. Pg 23: ‘co-operation of the’ replaced by ‘coöperation of the’. Pg 62: ‘temperature of 459°’ replaced by ‘temperature of -459°’. Pg 62: ‘and 273.1° on the’ replaced by ‘and -273.1° on the’. Pg 70: Table: ‘20’ replaced by ‘30’ (Temp=63, Diff=15). Pg 71: Table: ‘41’ replaced by ‘51’ (Temp=112, Diff=18). Pg 131: ‘thousand of chimneys’ replaced by ‘thousands of chimneys’. Pg 168: ‘depth of 20.2,° and’ replaced by ‘depth of 20.2°, and’. Pg 210: ‘of Pittsburg and’ replaced by ‘of Pittsburgh and’. Pg 214: ‘Humbolt says’ replaced by ‘Humboldt says’. Pg 300: ‘deductions thereform’ replaced by ‘deductions therefrom’.