The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-10-10
THE WEATHER.
Notable Occurrences for the Week Ending Oct 5,
1880.
ny LIEUT.. J. p. FINLEY, U. s. SIGNAL sERvIt

Notable Occurrences for the Week Ending Oct. 5,
1889.
by LIEUT.. J. p. FINLEY, U. s. SIGNAL SERVICE.
correspondence invited, suggestions desired,
and information chcerfully furnished. Every eff
fort employed to make this Bureau of practical
to the readers of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. All
communications should be addressed Weather,
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Office. Washington, ID. o.
Lows, OR AREAS OF WARM. MOIST AIR, CLOUDY
WEATHER, WITH GENERAL RAIN OR SNOW
AND HIGH WINDS.
Three such areas affected the weather of the
United States. Two came from the North Pa
ciic coast and one from the Northwest Terri
tory. Average progressive velocity eastward %
miles per hour Average duration four days
HIGHS, OF AREAS OF COLD, DRY AIR AND GEN.
ERALLY CLEAR WEATHER. WITH MODERATE
WINDS.
Four such areas affected the weather of tho
United States. One continued from last week
two came from abe California coast aud one
from the Northwest Territory. Average pro-
gressve velocity eastward % miles. Average
duration 3.5 days.
Temperdturc.--The greatest fall in "a hours
1907 occurred at st. Vincent and Moorhead,
Mimi, on the 1st. The greatest rise (2io) oc-
Cured at Wichita, Kan, the Both. The
maximum t100o) occurred at Yuma Ariz., on
the 30th and LIST. The min imum (26o) occurred
ut st. Vincent, Mimi, on the 1st. Frost on the
Goth in the New England States
Precipitation.-Rain has been reported from
every State and Territory, except Nevada,
Wyoming Colorado, Utah and New Mexico.
The heaviest tower one inch in "a hours was
reported from Texas, Washington, Massachu-
sets and Florida. The maximum in "a hours
075 inches occurred at Key West, Fla on the
Cd and Sd. Snow on the list, I'd and Sd at Rock
life, Canada.
Winds.-The highest winds 40 miles per
hour aud over were reported from Montana,
Nebraska and Dakota. The highest measured
velocity t56 miles per hour occurred at Fort
Assinnaboine, Mont, on the LIST.
RiUers.-The maximum rise (3B inches) oc-
Cured Mt Nashville, Tenn, on the Both. The
maximum fall az nches) occurred at Nash
vile, Tenn, on the 3D.
Existing CdHdifiOns.-The principal low is just
leaving tho country over the Gulf OF St Law
renee. Another low of slight energy is north Of
Lake Huron, moving rapidly eastward. A third
to,o Is developing over California. The principal
high is over New England. Another high is APP
preaching from the Northwest Territory.
Generally fair weather prevails throughout the
country.
Facts TO be Remembered Great confidence is
placed in this old prognostic:
Isaw the new moon late yestrecn,
WI the old moon in her arm.
And II we EBng to- sea, master,
fear we'll come TO harm
The reason of great visibility in the atmos-
pbere at times is more or less uncertain. The
old idea that it is due to excess of vapor is GER
taiHly erroneous. The dry and wet bulb hy-
gometer always indicates a considerable amount
OF dryness when visibility is observed, aud IL
has been shown by long observation at certain
places that this condition is most apparent at
the driest season of the year. At the extreme
northwest edge of lou there is often unusual
reiraction, a well-known sign of rain. This
seems TO be due to the cold air in the rear of
loo being much below tho temperature of the
central and front PORTIONS of the disturbance.
If so, it can only BIO considered a sign of rain,
for the reason that one l0to is usually soon fol-
lowed by another, which also explains the say
ing; norwester is not long in debt to 8 SOU
wester." Refraction aud visibility combined
also explain the following curious local prog
nOstic When Aisa Craig Is distinctly seen,
and seems near at hand. the people of Cumbrae
look for change. When the weather is going
To be finer it lies fiat; but when rain is coming
10 assumes the form of n mushroom. AiIsa
Craig is an Isolated rock standing in the Firth
OF Clyde, about 80 miles from Cumbrao, Scot
land IL has "A coDicaltop with precipitous sides,
so that in ordinary weather only the top is seen
lying tlat OH the horizon. But sometimes in
tho Of "A op ID appears lifted by refrac ton,
and the light encroaches at the edges, as is Of
ten seen with projecting pTomOntories. giving
the whole fanciful resemblance to a mush-
room. The prognostie is mistrusted by the in
habitants during frost, aud careful observation
has proved the failure under such conditions.
On the west side of the wedge-shaped loip, as
the new E0tp comes on, the blue sky gradually
assumes a dirty appearance, accompanied by
halo. aud gathers into cloud, and later on rain
begins 10 fall, while in the southern portion
the rain is often preceded by stripes of cirrus,
either lying in the direction OF the wind or
sometimes at right angles TO it, hence the say
ing: Cirrus at right angles to the wind is q
sign of rain -