Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-19
Fouinoctial Storms.


ABOUT the time Of the last vernal equinox,
Blowhard" having reminded us OF the
storm that took place here on the 2lst OF
March, we determined 10 bave the question
settled by an experts scientific expert.
We wrote to the head OF the Weather Bureau
who has kindly answered our note fully and
satisfactorily. We are sure that the public
generally will read with pleasure General
GHxELY's clear statement OF the matter. The
facts explode the theory OF equiuCeta
storms. II Is amusing 10 learn that the
storm which Blowhard" reminded us OF
was local one. 1t prevailed only on the
Atlsntic coast. 1.-The rest OF the country
very rarely has had so calm aud clear condi-
lions as prevailed on those days"
We return thanks 70 General GREEDY.
SIGNAL. OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON CRY. April 10, 1889
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
sir.-In reply 20 your letter Of 2Gth uliimo
making inquiry regarding equipoctial storms
I have the honor 20 say that as the eQuinOXes
are imaginary points at the intersection OF
the circle described by the earth about the
ann with the prolopgatiOu OF the earth's
eouator tin they strike the imaginary dome
of the sky it IL very evident they can have
absolutely 30 influence on storms. II might
he thought that somehow the ieDRthening
day IN inc spring equinox might affect tue
weather, but this amounts 10 only sDOit TWO
snd one hall minutes daily, and moreover
this action IS a continuous one for weeks be-
fore and after the equinox, so that this elect
is absolutely nothing.
But does Il not happen that every year,
independent Of the eQuinoxes, there Is nm
increase Of storms Just at March Dist and
September 2lStl This question has been
carefully investigated by Professor L. III.
scott. Of England. He collected all the 49,
we're storms that passed over the British
isies for fourteen years, and found that out
OF forty.five storms In March not one oc-
Cured on the 2lst and out OF eighteen storms
in September only one occurred on the 2lst
Taking the nth, 18th, and Goth, there
were In March five storms, and In Septem-
Der one.
Taxing the 10th, DIST and pod. there
were in March three storms, and In Septem-
Der two.
were Ia March two storms, and In Septem-
Der two.
Taking five days, 14th-lstb, there were
in March eight storms, and in September
Taking five days, 19th-23d. there were
in March Eve storms, and in September
two.
Taking five days, 24tb-2Stb, there were
in March four storms, and In september
six.
These figures show very plainly, espe-
. ciaily In the fye-day interval, that storms
are much more abundant just before and
after the equinoxes than near them. This
discussion has been published in the Quar-
teriy journal. Roysl Meteorological Society
OF England, for 1884, psgs 236.
A short investigation has been made OF the
storms near the equinoxes during the sixteen
wears of records. from 1873 10 1883, In this
country. All the storm centres observed in
the United States from the 102d meridian 10
the Atlantic were counted for each day from
the 16thto the 18th OF March and Septem.
her. and the results showed an increase on
the 2lstof March and dimlnution on sep
teu,ber DIST. The total daily wind move.
ment showed a slight maximum on March
2lst, 81 mile per hour. or per cent. above
the average, while on September DIST, II was
s. mile per hour, or IL per cent. 6eIoto the
average. The mean pressure was .O3 inches
belOn the average on March 2lst, and .O3
inches above the average on September Dist
In 1883 tHt AttAubtC COttSb aiouc haO buF alh
or high wind on March goth, Olaf, and 22d;
the rest OF the country very rarely has had
so calm and clear conditions as prevailed on
these days. The evidence preponderates
largely In favor OF the view that there Is no
storm period occurring each 2lst OF March
and September. The popular belief Is al
most entirely based on the fact that our
storms during March occur at an average in
teryal Of about four days. IL storm oc-
ours two or three days before or after the
2lst I, is regarded as the "equinoctial," and
no thought is given to the fact that IN the
regular order Of things storm is bound Ia
occur on one OF those days.
A fuller statement OF these Investigations
will appear shortly in tho Monthly Weather
Review.
lam, very respectfully. your obedient SER
want A. W. GREEDY,
Chief Signal officer.