The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-11-20
THE WEATHER.
The Influence of Geographical Features on
MeteDFolOzsy.

The Influence of Geographical Features on
MeteOrolOgy.
by LIEUT.. J. p. FINLEY, U. 3. SIGNAL SERVICE.
correspondence invited. suggestions desired
aud Information cheerfally furnished. Every ef-
foTtenployed TO make this Bureau Of practical use
to ihe readers Of The NATIONAL TRIBUNE. All
communications should be Rddressed- Weather,
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Office. Washington, ID. C.l
The connection between the meteorology Of
a country and the form and clothing of its
surface is in all cases very intimate. Nor is
this influence in one direction only. Not only
do the physical condition aud movements Of
the atmosphere depend on the distribution Of
land and water, on the directions Of mountain
chains, the elevation Of the land above the sea
level, the nature Of the soil, the presence Of
sandy wastes or fOTest.clad uplands and the
ifke but the fertility of tins land surface itself
aud In certain cases, the very form Of that sur
face, is in small degree modified by the
direct indirect action Of the atmosphere.
The latter class Of effects indeed, pertain to
the domain of the naturalist, tho physical
geographer, aud the Gcologist, rather than to
that Of the meteorOlogist, and may here be
passed by without further allusiOn. But the
former are among the most important data of
meteorological science, aud he who would I'M
deTstand the observed atmospheric changes, and
would trace them TO their underlying causes
who in short, not contented with the mere
OF its formal laws would seek further to discover
their rational explanation and the laws OF their
physical interdcpendencc, must possess some
thing more than merely superficial acquaint-
Ruce with the geography of tho country in
which his field Of work lies, aud must keep its
features constantly in mind when engaged in
the discussion OF meteorological problems
For the practical study of meteOrology, no
ountry surpasses the United States. IL lies
directly in the pathway OF all the great trans
continental storms study Of the storms Of
the globe shows that the belt of greatest storm
freqently lies within the northern portion Of
the United States. Every diversity Of storm
development and movement can be observed
and studied within the confines Of this cOun.
try. IN order to make this study profitable il
is very necessary to consider carefully the con-
iguration of the country aud its typographical
features. We need 10 investigate very thor
oughly the distribution Of rainfall and tempera-
ture, especially all local peculiarities in these
elements.
The influence of the great Mississippi Valley
is enormous in relation to all storm movements
from the north and west of that region. Upon
| the approach Of an area Of low pressure from
the Rocky Mountains the winds shift TO south
eTly in the great valley, and vast volumes of
warm, moist air arc carried into the circulation
Of the pressure. The c0nfguration Of the val
| Icy j. such that the air is drawn to the north
ward, or comes from the yapOr-aden currents
Of the Gulf Of Mexico. Here is the great source
| Of moisture for all storms crossing the United
States. Blot out the Mississippi Valley. place
in its stead great mountain chains bordering
| the Gulf aud raise the land 10 the elevation of
| the great Western plateau, aud the now garden
/ spot of the world would become like the arid
! plains Of Wyoming Utah aud Nevada Not
! less powerful is the influence Of the Gulf stream
on the meteorological conditions Of the Atlantic
/ Coast. Without this remarkable stream OF
warm water all Of the country cast Of the Appa-
| lachian chain Of mountains would suffer from
| prOtTacted drafts.