National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-06
LOCAL STORMS.
Chronological Wisdom Dispensed by
wise GentIcmnu--suien-
tinc Explanation OF summon show


q Weather wise GontlcmAu--Suien-
tifc Explanation OF summer show
ers.
10 nc Eiii0r
Tho public do not seem to understand
tho nature Of local storm, and they soom
half inclined TO think IL somewhat of a
subtorfugo, an indefinite, vague state
mont, made TO covor ignorance or to APP
pear wise. People accustomed to positive
statements in othor things do not under
stand why positive statement cannot bo
mado In regard TO the weather; thoy
cannot understand Tho statement, "Tho
indications nre that wo will have n local
storm this evening"" Thcy want the
positive assurance that there will DO, and
thoy want definite information ~ 60 10.
oality.
When tho weather map was established
wo began to obtain facts in regard TO this
subioct-such facts rs we had not been
ablo 10 obtain before. one by one they
wore presented TO us, or, perhaps better,
only one by one were wo able TO grasp
them. by this newly-acquirod knowl-
eigo wo loarn how tho areas of low and
high barometer pass over tho country aud
Of the endless changes thereby produced.
We learn Of tho heat that forms the
low" that gathers the clouds, that waters
the earth, that refroshos and invigoratos
oil nature, and makes so much Of tho
earth habitablo for man and beast. The
old system gave us somo information. but
comparatively with this II was as nothing.
Tho areas Of low aud high barometer
arc continually on tho move, on general
limos from tho wost toward tho east, or
toward tho rising sun. A general storm
takes place moro Immediately within or
near what is called storm center or low.
Som ctimcs this center is we'll conocn-
tratcd, and Is from 800 to 500 miles In
diameter. At other times IL will DO much
extended, covering an area of 900 or 800
miles. In the cooler months Of the year
II Is moro positive In It's nature and moro
confined, frequently to narrow limits,
while during the warm months, with few
exceptions II Is greatly spread out, GOV.
ering much territory.
Tho local storm generally takes place
in tho outer lines OF tho storm center In
what may DO termed tho posterior "low,"
but 1t also occurs anywhere within a
much spread out or n-concontrated
| low" Local storms aro moro common
during the warmer months when "low" IL
much spread out, and mostly occur when
the center Is on high limo Of latitude.
Lot tho center, whom the barometer
stands 2D.6 or 29.7, DO as far north as 500,
the locals will tako place here and there
somo distance from tho center and oven
ut great distance from IL, but will not
be continuous, as u general storm, over q
large oxtont Of territory. ono day Il
may storm at one place, tho next day a
few or even number of milos from
| 4 I. l.
impossible to say definitely when and
where local storms will take place, We
know that they will take place within d
certain extended area. We know that il
will not DO universal or continuous
storm, covering the whole of tho wide
sprcad-out area of low" but that within
this extended territory, hero and there
little substOrms will occur.
Tho general storm is preceded by M
east wind, because 10 comes from thC
center of Glow" advancing from the
west. Tho local storm oitcntimes indeed
generally comes up with west wind, fol
the reason that the rain contor toward
which the wind is q 7ing is far to the
north and east.
Tho general storm rule, clears of
cold because of tho 4 ensive west wi, !,
following In its TRACK, the degree of cold
however. will be governed by the latitude
Of the governing slow" The local storm
generally clears OF warm. for tho reason
that IL docs not affect much territory, ant
because II Is tho result Of "low." will
its main center far to tho north, whereof,
south winds, which aro warm, arc induced
This PARKWAY north "low" governs tn
temperature Of tho surrounding country
Tho local storm Is distinct and pccu
liar meteorological phenomenon aud per
forms most valuable service TO tn
country during the summer months.
IT. during this time, tho long perio,
from May to October, we had TO depent
upon woll.defned, aud concentrated
storm contors. such as VIC mostly hav
during the colder months, we would suite
much from drought and heat. But for
tunately nature provides this temporar,
relief. and although the moisture is no
always abundant from this source 1t i
nevertheless relief. When we canno
have o general or regular storm the nox
best thing In order is tho local storms.
JULY 81, 1884. /. Z. n.