The National tribune., 1891-09-03
THE WEATHER.
Some Facts About the Climate OF Oregon and
Washington.
BY LIEUT.. ]. P. FINLEY. U. $. SIGNAL SERVICE.


TCorrespondenee invited, suggestions desired.
and information cheeTfully furnished. Every eE
fort employed TO make this Bureau Of practical use
tOour readers All communications should be adj
drezsed-Heaiher, THE NATIOSAL TRIBUNE Oaice,
Washington. ID. C.I
The geographical position Of these two States
is n most fortunate one. Located in the lati-
tude of the easterly trend of the central portion
Of tho Japan Current, they receive the full
benefit of the warmth aud moisture continually
rising from this great tropical river in the sea.
The atmospheric eddies or areas of low baro-
metric pressure forming over the Japan Current
enter the continent throughout the year in a
manner 70 provide q most equable distribution
Of rain over northwestern Oregon and Wash
ingtOu. Southeastern Oregon is yet very
largely an undeveloped country and has i'm
mense areas of barren rocks and plains. The
relation OF the Japan Current 20 the climate Of
these two great States is one OF vital impoT-
tance 10 their commercial and agricultural in
terests, and should be we'll understood and
appreciated by the inhabitants Reverse the
direction Of this current so that its motion in
the equatorial regions becomes westerly and in
the temperate zone easterly, and shift its lati-
tude few degrees 10 the SOUTH and the North
Pacific Coast States would become as barren
and bleak as northern Canada and Labrador
How great factor, then in the development
a
following is q brief summary of the climatic
effects of the Japan Current on the North
Pacific States:
l. An equability Of temperature unequaled
in any other portion Of the United States.
.. A gradual change from heavier rains Of
Winter to the lighter rains Of Summer. giving
rise TO a most beneficial distribution of pre-
cipitation throughout the year.
>. In Winter the atmospheric disturbances
(cyclonic storms) FROM the Japan Current move
eastward at lower latitude than in Summer,
and this shifting north and south Of the storm
centers makes the difference in rainfall between
tho two seasons. But as the change Of tho CEN
tors IS not very great respecting Oregon and
Washington, these States are always within
the area precipitation attending the cyclonic
storms
4. \ prolific growth of all forms Of plant
life.
.. Climatic conditions which favor 20 a
marked extent the growth OF most cereals and
other important staple crops.
&. The alienation Of rain and fair weather
in such manner as to provide most suitable
conditions for planting aud harvesting
z. The absence OF excessively violent storms
owing 10 the southwest DETECTION Of the Japan
Current at the parallel Of 40 degrees north; the
cold Alaskan Current along the California
Coast, and the dry atmosphere Of the middle
and northern plateau regions.
s. Computed from the records of nearly 20
stations covering q long series of years the
percentage Of rainfall in Washington varies
from 2.Oj per cent. in August TO 1870 per cent.
in January. This gives the range and maxi
mum and minimum precipitation for the State
9. Computed from the records of over 20
stations for many years, the percentage of rain
fall in Oregon varies from I.25 per cent. in
August to I7.10 per cent. in December. This
exhibits the range, and also the maximum and
minimum precipitation for the State.
10. 4 review of tire above conditions explains
the enormous growth of timber and the rapid
development Of all vegetation in northwestern
Oregon and Washington.