New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-28
MOTHERS AND SOUTHEASTERS.

WHAT CAREFUL OBSERVATION SHOWS ~ REGARD
TO TIE APPROACH OF THESE PHENOMENA.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-The following is given to
the press By the Coast Survey officer, concerning
storms:
Indications in regard to the approach and duration OF
"Norhers and southeasters," IN the Gulf of Mexico
have been delused by Lieutenant r. D. Hitchcock.
Z. = NJ Assistant Coast Survey, commanding steamer
Gedney, from observations made by himself in the vlcn-
ity Of Pensacola Fla during the season OF ls71o, eX-
tending from December 20 APRIL aud tnlt OF ls161 e1
tending from November 20 July. BY permission OF
General Myer Chief Signal Officer L. s A., an examina-
ton was made by Lieutenant II. Nichols, L. ", As
sistant Coast survey OF the records OF the signal OBJ
servers at ST. Marks. Fla, and Mobile, Ala, during the
same time TIE Observations Of Lieutenant Hitchcock
were confirmed by the experiences at those two points
EORTHERs.
When for several days. during the period Of ohserya-
ton light winds from the southwark and eastward to
the southwark ana westward with calms, hao prevailed,
the following indications showed the approach OF a
northern
Heavy detached black clouds the nOrthward and west
ward. Sometimes these clouds were noticed in small
patches all around the sky just above the horizon while
1t was clear and bright overhead.
Very heavy dews, with clear atmosphere.
Cojwcbs in the rigging.
The mort er" was always precs led bv sqUal OF
Wind sometimes from the southwark and westward,
sometimes from the northward and westward but moro
generally from south or west ald TINS squau was usu-
ally accompanied by rain From the strength Of this
squat could be estimated the strength Of the Dorther,
as subsequently, observed to blow harder
The squau was Immediately followed by the nOrther,
accompanied by a rising barometer and falling Their
mometer. The norther usually lasted Tor from one to
three days. although nortners OF four days duration
were observed.
During the time that the blow continued, The wind
sometimes varied in It's direction from north
west decreasing in strength from day to day, but
casonaly freshenng at night The barometer always
continued to rise until it attained Its greatest height
when remained steady, with cold weather and very
clear atmosphere.
The "norther" would sometimes blow Itself out en-
trely and be followed by a calm. or, having expended
It's strength wind would haul TO the nOrlhward aud
eastward either the barometer falling and tie
temperature rising It rarely happened that the wind
/ backed % the southwark
After blowing from the nOrthward and eastward, the
wind would continue to haul 10 the eastward but with
No particular regularity often continuing from this quar-
ter FOR several days. accompanied by cloudy and often
times hazy weather but seldom with rain. After
tnuing for time from the northward and eastward IL
would make the round ~ the compass passing regularly
to east, southeast south and southwest dying out Occa-
sOlIally 70 a calm, and then sprlngllS ~ again.
rain occurred 10 generally ater tue wind had
south of although or two OF
were observed with northeast wind Another uOrtlcr
would not follow until the wind had made the regular
OF the ana the time eldpsng was an
certaiu but generally varied from three
In case the regular round Of winds was broken I'M
settled weather followed until the round was again
established.