The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-05
For the National Era.
THEORY OF WINDS, CLIMATE, &c.

entirely correct, tand, Tor any thlng tnat KNOW
may be quite incorrect) | think will come al
near to an explanation as that offered by q
T. d.
will commence with a theory of a hurri
cane, Tor June storm one or more of which We
usually experience every year here on the prai
ries of Illinois. According to my observation
IL cloud denOting hard wind usually makes it
first appearance to the Northwest, with a stiff
breeze setting towards it from the Southeast
the cloud generally advances at rather slow
rate, and appears to depend on quite an eleva.
ted state OF temperature of the lower strata OF
atmosphere for the force of its wind II la the
night, it apt to be attended with an almost con-
slant blaze of lightning. The cloud, being of a
much lower temperature than the current set
ting towards it, \ condenses the air in its imme-
date vicinity-that which, having been con-
densed, owing to the increase of its specific gray
ity, falls with considerable force to the ground,
and PUSHES out before the cloud to find common
level-a portion of which, coming in contact
with the warm surface of the earth, is again
rarefed and rises again to meet the cloud con-
sequently, it can proceed to- no great distance in
advance Of the cloud. The space behind the
cloud having already been filed with a con-
densed atmosphere, it cannot 90 back while
the partial vacuum occasionod by condensation
causes the cloud and atmosphere to move in
the direction Of each other.f The current of
air from the southeast which probably sup
plies the electric fluid, + and perhaps a large
portion of the moisture, is compelled to ascend,
on its near approach to the cloud to give
place to that already coerccd, and thereby
caused to deposit the fluid on the top of the
cloud; consequently, we are able to see nothing
Of it but the fash have been familiar with
these phenomena for moro than ten years, and
| am unable to come to any other conclusion
than the one here given.
For reasons which might mention, have
for a number of years been of the opinion that
the weather might perhaps be so much con-
trolled by the skill of man, as to prevent the
occurrence Of excessive droughts excessive wet
weather. and, perhaps, furious hurricanes.
Having seen that by a condensation of the
atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of cloud
that which is still rare will rush into the space
thus occasioned-let US suppose that such con-
densations take place on large or grand scale
within the tropical regions during our winters :;
the effect must be to cause the air, which be-
fore might have been rarefed by excessive heat,
and compelled to seek a situation in other lat-
tudes, to return with great force. The atmO-
sphere thus put in motion would very soon be
equallzed in temperature by the cold the cold
air in the upper strata, descending, would very
soon become mixed OF stirred up with the warm
air on the ground, causing a sudden change of
temperature; which change would be expert
enced first in comparative southern attitudes
The projechle force thus given to the atmo-
sphere would cause it to flow in a southern d.
rection for some time after the immediate
cause had ceased to exist, and until more than
ali equilibrium was restored when a reaction
would take place, and we should shortly oxpe-
rience a south wind ut first rather cool, and
then warmer
According to this view, the wind must blow
from the north directly south during our Sc
we're weather; but experience teaches us-here,
in this great hollow, down which the waters of
the Mississippi find their way to the Gulf of
Mexico, and the arctic winds blow with pecu-
liar force-quite different lesson
Now, to account for this apparent contradic-
ton, we will suppose that as the atmosphere
moves along from the arctic towards the tropical
regions that portion of it nearest the Atlantic
is continually rushing into the ocean, putting
its waters into violent agitation, cooling its sur
face, causing rapid evaporation and compare
tive darkness-this land breeze would be met
by sea breeze, worry much on the principle of
hurricane; this would give the general cur.
rent of the atmosphere southeast direction,
according to what We experience The air thus
rarcfied by contact with the waters of the ocean
would Immediately ascend to considerable
height and perhaps the greater portion would
return to the continent and the most Of that
which would return, being elevated, might flow
across the continents and discharge its waters
west of the Rocky Mountains, causing wet
weather there to correspond to the northwest
winds of our winter
In order to make this theory appear plausi.
BILE, we must suppose that tho mountains west
are higher than the strata Of air flowing 10 the
tropics; or, if in some part Of their course they
should DO of less height, the arctic winds would
find their WAY to the Pacific coast cooling the
climate OF that region Of country. But as the
Allegheny range is of less height than the Are
tic strata, it finds its way to tho Atlantic
probably flowing with tho greatest force
| sThs position may appear at first ungrounlcd
and " any should doubt its correctness the following
sketch OF a hail storm experienced In this section on
the 27h OF May 1850, will think have the effect to
set them right | quote from my - which, by
the way, have not Mt hand
May 70 1850, had refreshing showers, with thun-
der; was quite warm and very growing time; wind
continued MS had for several DAYS before to blow
good breeze from the southeast MAY 9Th was quite
| warm Tor the season OF the year Got started at
| breaking prairie unusually late; made good Roadway
until near four o'clock when the very threatening APP
pearance ct unusual looking cloud induced me TO
unhtch horses from my pillow, and make rapid
| headway towards n temporary stable covered with
prairie hay ana sided with sbeathng boards the end
OF which was few PAGES beyond my land When
| arrived ut that point the wind had begun to blow
with such violence, that with tho assistance Of a
noighbor, Whose business was also that of breaking
was altogether unable to force open the gate which
led into the yard enclosing the stable Fortunately
however, it blown from its hinges and |
drove through and took my station under shed on
the south side of the stables whore his team of four
yoke of cattle already sheltered 1t soon rained
almost torrent, accompanied with large amount Of
hail. causing an unusual degree of darkness This
state of things continued Tor perhaps two hours
when my neighbours little boys three four in num-
Der, who had come the distance of a mile and halt
with their father without shoes coats vests were
IN almost supeiod condition from cold Tho width
OF the storm in the neighbcrhood Of six miles and
It's effects were in the highest degree disastrous
The southeast winds being probably the result of
general cause that Of raretaction in northern
ATTITUDES consequent upon the earth annual motion
and steering northwest because there they would b.
more rapidly condensed by tho mounta ns-hence tn.
direction OF our June storms- The atmosphere is con
densed when the north wind blows for n time supply
, ing the comparative vacancy.
} The most probable condition in which can ims
CINE this fluid is that OF distinct mas yein of
cylindrical form, corresponding in position To tn,
streak observed, and which by condensation produce
collapse in the air. and consequent report at IN,
same time aiding very powerfully To destroy the eui
lbrum of the Atmosphere there. by causing to Civ
, out its moisture. /.
, This ocean stratum Of atmosphere, taken In con
neolon with the arctic stratum already described
would produce double rcfsction Of tho suns rays
and tho brilliant and most splendid appearance o
nook suns in severely cold weather. which are some
what frequently seen In the great valley"