The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-19
VERY DRY FALL.

Lieut. Finley Says 1t IL Due to Change of
Storm Paths.
SAN Francisco, Nov. l7.-.sThe most strik-
ing feature of the weather for the month of
October has been the marked deficiency in
the rainfall throughout the Pacific coast
states," said Lieut.. John R. Finley of the
signal service Office in this city in his last
weather review. The oldest in
habitRnt does not remember drier fall
than the present. That of 1871 was re-
markably dry season. Only OF of an inch
of rain fell that October, and an inch or more
in November. The fall of 1887 was excep-
tionally dry, there being no rainfall in
October, and not more than .OS of an inch
at most fell before the middle of November.
Last year there was an excessive rainfall in
October, though the FIRST half Of November
was as dry and mild as is the case this year,
In October of 1889 the rain began on the
18th and continued with but two exceptions
Oct. 10 and 24-until the last day Of the
month. During that period there was
nearly $50 inches of rain tho daily average
being 80 of an inch. The same cloudless
skies and warm sunny days that the Sacra-
mento valley is enjoying at present began
last year with the first day of November
and continued until Thanksgiving night.
1.-THE cause for this decrease in precipita-
ton this year," says Lieutenant Finley in
his report, "is to be found in the falling off
in number of the storms which have entered
rent, and more especially to the fact that
these storms have passed eastward ut q
higher latitude than in former years. The
extraordinary rainfall in October of 1888
was due to the extreme southerly position
Of the rain paths. The storm paths this
year took much more northerly direction,
passing eastward through British Columbia
and Canada. The amount and distribution
of rainfall dependent upon the latitude of
the storms from the Japan current is one
of the most important features of Pacific
coast weather."
From Oct. 18th to Nov. 18th last year the
| temperature was about an average of ten
degrees lower than for the corresponding
period this year. The highest maximum
temperature in that period last year was on
Nov. 4th, when the mercury got its back mn
as high as n degrees. The lowest mini
mum temperature was reached Nov. l4th al
- degrees. Since the middle of last month
the highest maximum temperature reached
was 66 degrees; the lowest minimum. Is.
IL Is worthy OF note that in the seasons 81
1S71-72 and 1880. the falls of which Ver,
noted TOR their dryness, the rainfall va
nearly up to or beyond the average. Tn,
average rainfall for the past forty season
mas O0ou S0.a lncneS. In lo7l-73 the rain
fall was 2l45 inches. and in lS79-8O 27.6
inches.
1.-THE indications are" said Lieutenan
Finley, "thAt the rainfall Of this season vii
mos fall much, il any, below the average
and from the fact that the Japan storr
current 10 gradually working its way sout
there 10 every reason to believe that the raj
will soon be with ~"
The high barometer this fall hiss bee,
produced BY tho high northerly winds a
over the state. At Sacramento the velocit
Of the wind ON Tuesday night was SO mile
an hour, while at Red Bluff and Eureka
was IS miles.