Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-02-20
The Influence OF the Guif Stream on
storms.


1t is an observation, as cid as Aristotle,
that the storms OF the middle ATTITUDES in
the Northern Hemisphere advance from
west to east. This is obviously partly due
to the fact that the wind on the eastern
sides are southerly, that they come from
the equatorial regions, and hence are
charged with aqueous vapor, This vapor
| is highly essential to the sustenance of the
storm. Moreover, the law of storms re-
qulres that the southerly winds should
enter the storm-vartoX on the eastern side,
and Us this is the side on which the great.
est quantity of yapor is found, and the side
Of greatest condensation, of tho greatest
evolution of latent heat, hence Of the
greatest aerial rareiaction and barometric
fall, to this side the heavier air from tho
west viii push as into great hollow.
Thus do we actually find that all storms,
formed west of the Gulf Stream, are act
ually propagated toward it. 1t may be
argued from the above facts that the anti
trade winds are thus maintained by storms
necessarily making the circuit of the
globe within the temperate zone. But in
reality, instead OF being the effect of storm
influence, the ant-trades arc originated
by independent solar agency, as are the
trades and they are potential and causal
in producing the eastward progression of
all cyclones. 1t must be conceded that
the pressure of vast aerial currents does
serve to force the meteor along with thom
as the river eddy is carried down stream
with the water current; othc rwise il is
impossible TO explain the westward pro-
gression ottropical hurricane. While yet
in the band of easterly trade winds the
storm will invariably work its way or DO
propagated toward the most humid region,
unless mechanically borne in another d.
rection by the great atmospheric current
in which it is often Embedded AZ an eddy
in the river. The cyclone tracks over all
the oceans lie in the central bands of tho
great ocean currents of high temperature
and great evaporation, and the band of
cycionic violence is often beautifully eoter.
mipons with tho ply-marked edge of
the Cult Stream. Thus, in the Pacific, the
Looehoo Islands lie just in the path of tho
kero Slwo, the great Pacific Gulf Stream
Of the Japanese, and are visited by the
most fearful typhoons; but the BONN
IsianuH, III INC stule parallel, DnL on inc
extreme margin OF the kuro Swo have
very mild and moderate storms. off
storm commences anywhere in the vicinity
| Of the Gulf Stream, IL naturally tends to.
ward that stream, because" as LOOMS
says, here is the greatest amount Of va
por to be prcciptated, and, when storm
has once encountered the Gulf Stream, 1t
continues TO follow that stream in its pro-
gress eastward Vessels and japanese
lunks, dsmasted in gales oft the Asiauc
coast, have been driited for ma days in
the current of the Kuro Siwo, to tho coast
o. California, just as West India beans,
cocoa nuts, and vegetables, have been
driited to Iceland, Greenland, and Spitz-
bergen, ON the extension OF the Gulf
Stream. According to all meteorological
observations Of the tracks of storms, we
are warranted in believing that cyclones
and hurricanes do, rs n matter of fact and
atmospheric law, run on the hot currents
OF the sea rs naturally as the water. course
clings to It's bed. PRACTICAL seamen, though
unable to explain the fact, are always on
the lookout for these furious gales when
sailing on the axial lines Of the Gulf
Stream, on the hot Mozambique current,
(Lhe Gulf Stream Of the Indian ocean, and
on the dark super heated waters Of the
kuro Siwo OF the Pacific. The Popular
Science MonMty.