The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-15
CYCLONES AND TORNADOES.
Signal Service Officer Explains the Differ.
ence Between Them

Philadelphia Press
''The storm which struck Philadelphia Aug
was not cyclone, AS many supposed, but a
fully developed and vigorous tornado" said
Lieutenant Finley last night. Cyclones" he
continued, ARE ocean storms, brewcd upon its
bosom and rushing landward. AS such they
have no relation whatever to tornadoes, which
develope their fearful energies upon land and
often pass out to sea before exhausting them
selves The center of a tornado is the focus of
its terrific force and track of death and de-
struction, while ships float safely in the midst of
cyclone. The two storms are Numerically
opposed though commonly spoken of as similar"
Are the storms then which lay waste our
Western country tornadoes and not cyclones?'
was asked.
'Tornadoes, every one of them" was the re-
ply. "A cyclone was never seen az far West as
the Mississippi" The cyclone is a production of
the West Indies and is unknown during the sum
mer months. During September and October
the heated tropical currents develope vast rotary
! storms from 500 to 1900 miles in diameter, which
sweep in a parabolic curve against the South At
| lantic coast The cool trade winds blowing
down the coast defect their course and send
them sweeping inland Passingi porthward they
describe their curvine flight as far Nova Scotia
and New Brunswick and then rush with bowling
force across the Newfoundland Banks. Some of
them reach England and Ireland. The same
storm ravages the coast of Japan. and is called
| typhoon. The tremendous breadth of cyclones
seldom gives local evidence of their circular
sweep. Their calm centers are much dreaded by
navigators. The Signal Service cautions mar.
liners against sailing into Cyclone center"
The atmosphere is always striving to retain its
equilibrium and so long az some parts Of the
earth get warmer than others, storms will rage?'
rs the tornado a tropical productions!
mot by any MEANS" replied the Signal Ser
vice officer. "On the contrary, that dangerous
visitor comes from comparatively cool regions
Sweeping down from the snowy desolate wastes
of British America across Dakota Montana
Wyoming and Minnesota is cold wind, which
often sends the mercury to 800 and 400 as it
| crosses the border. From the Southern States
and Gulf region a hot wind sometimes 1907,
flows up the Mississippi Valley to meet it.
| The towering Rockies hem these currents in to
the Westward, and they come together with q
mighty rush. The warm current rises to escape
the cold air defects downward, and with whirl
and roar a tornado cloud gathers. The result
ant of the two forces is invariably northwest and
the track of death is cut through every obstacle.
The tornado itself is invisible; its fearful power
is simply atmospheric pressure concentrated in
q trunk line form. Mathematical calculation
will show that the air revolving within a tornado
center develops the terrific speed of 1000 miles
per hour, exerting force alike inconcelvable
and irresistible. The rotary movement of the
whirl is upward, upon the principle of chimney
fue. Once started the tornado cloud becomes
visible from the amount OF dust it raises aud the
| moisture gathered within it. The rotary motion
is invariably from right to left. A tornado
cloud can descend from a clear sky as its de-
VelopmenJ Is among the nlgner currents or air.
If it was not for its gathering blackness as it
reached the surface, the aerial messenger might
strike an invisible death blow at any moment.
every hails:orm would be a tornado if it
| reached the ground The atmospheric condi
tons producing hail are precisely similar to
those generating tornado clouds. Professor
King, the aeronant announced that discovery
after passing through hail cloud and noting
! the phenomenon. Tornadoes have always been
natural feature of the Mississippi and Mis-
souri, valleys and will continue as long the
world lasts. Through the vast forests of Min
nesota and Wisconsin tracks are visible where
the tempest of wind hewed its clear-cut path a
century ago. Even the legends and traditions
of Indians are full of accounts of the mighty
storms which struck terror to the hearts of the
aborigines and leveled their forests. The Signal
Service at Washington is in constant receipt of
| letters from Canadians and Eastern people de-
sirous of going West inquiring the portions of
country unyisited BY tornadoes. In 1879 tornado
$2S, coo, 900 was written"