Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-12-19
rants Ahout stnrms.

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A vast amount ofinformation is con-
stantly being gathered and collected by
the United States Signal Service re
specting storms, out ofwhich is being
gradually built up the true science of
that class ofmeteorologicai phenomena.
Among the general observations thus
far noted may be mentioned the follew-t
ing:
Storms are accompanied with de-
preston of the barometer near the cen
tral line of the storm, and a rise of the
barometer in the front and rear.
This central line of minimum pres
sure is generally of great length from
North to South, and moves side-fore-
most toward the sea.
This hneis sometimes nearly straight
but generally curved, and most fire.
quently with its convex side toward
the East.
The velocity of this line is such that
it travels from the Mississippi to the
Connecticut river la about twenty-four
hours, and from the Connecticut to st.
John, Newfoundland, in nearly the
same time, OF about thirty-six miles an
hour.
When the barometer falls suddenly
in the western part of New England, it
rises at the same time in the valley Of
the Mississippi, and also at st. Johns,
Newfoundland.
In great storms the wind for several
hundred miles on both sides Of the line
of minimum pressure blows toward
that line directly or obliqueIy.
The force of the wind is in proportion
TO the suddenness and greatness of the
depression of the barometer.
In all great and sudden depression OF
the barometer there is much rain or
snow; and in all sudden great rains OF
snow there is a great depression of the
barometer near the center of the storm,
and rise beyond its borders.
Many storms are Of great and un-
Known length from north to south,
reaching beyond our observers on the
Gulf Of Mexico and on the Northern
Lakes, while their east and west diam
eter is comparatively small. The
storms, therefore, move side foremost
Most storms commence in the ''fal
West" beyond our most Western OBJ.
servers, but some commence in tht
United States.
During the passage of storms tbs
wind generally changes from the East
ward to the Westward by the South
especially in the Southern part Of th'
United States. aast
The Northern part OF the storm gen
orally travels more rapidly toward the
East than the Southern part.
During the high barometer OF tn
day preceding the storm is is general,
clear and mild in temperature, especi
ally If very cold.
The temperature generally falls sud
denly on the passage of the center q
great storms; aud sometimes, when
storm is in the middle OF the Unite
States, the lowest temperature of tn
- month viii be in the West on the sam
day thatthe highest temperature is i
the East.
The first of the principles upolfwhic
the Signal Corps proceeds rs, that tll
invariable courso-of air currents is sue
as wiz eqanfize the atmospheric pre-
sure upon the earth's surface, and tilf
whenever inequalities exist the WING
are set In motion, the air thus hndIn
ltslevel.just as water or any other VI
iDie 1ula does-
When a storm commences in I'll
United States the line Of minimul
pressure does not come from the ''f
West p but commences With the storm
and travels with it toward the Eas
ward.
the ine OF minimum pressure, an
sometimes calm.
When this line of minimum pre-
es,ro r,osaoo or, ef=arx-ar taxr-ords RI