The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-01-31
SUNNY IDAHO.
A Short Chapter on the Gil
mate Of Boise Valley.

SUnSCrOKo, no t'lOOQS,
But Sunshine in
Abundance.
Idaho is the same latitude as France,
Switzerland, portions of Italy, Spain
and Portugal, and on account of its
proximity to the Pacific ocean, the
climate is much milder in winter than
Colorado or even Utah, it being some
what modified by tho chinook winds
from that ocean passing through the
opening in the Cascade mountains,
where the Columbia river flows
through. All this region is near enough
to the Pacific ocean to be noticeably
affected by its currents. BY referring
to any map whereon the oceanic cur
rents are shown, it will be seen that the
great Japan current (Kuro Slvo)-that
mighty stream OF warm water-Dears
directly against the western shores of
America. The temperature of the
winds blowing over it is affected by its
heat, and is carried inland hundreds of
miles, extending their genial influence
even to Montana. Tho average mean
temperature in the northern part of
Idaho is $50. a milder showing than is
made by Ohio, milder by 100 than
Iowa and by 12e than Maine and New
Hampshire.
Caldwell and the Boise vally in south
western Idaho with greater altitude
than Lewiston in the northern part,
has an average temperature Of 81 9, the
same as Ohio and warmer than Con-
necticut. The average annual rain and
snow fall in this vicinity is thirteen
inches. The lowest record during
seven consecutive winters was 1879 be-
low zero in January, and the highest
1889 In July. Barnet K. Light, signal
officer, reports that the mercury sank
below zero only four times during the
period Of five years. The coolest
weather recorded in twenty years was
the exceptional January of 1889, when
the mercury sank to 27o below zero.
The prevailing winds in this vicinity
are from the northwest, averaging
about eight miles an hour and not
exceeding thirty. The altitude of Cald-
well is about 1900 feet which is q low
altitude. This portion of Idaho is a
fair representative, in the matter of
climate, of the various agricultural Sec
lions, but the much more elevated min
ing districts have as harsh winters at
times as the regions of the Allegheny
or Blue mountains. The best authori.
ties on climatology agree that in the
dry, rarefied atmosphere of Idaho and
the mountainous regions adjoining on
the east, there is difference of about
goo in the intensity of the heat or
cold in favor of those regions, when
compared with tho same temperature
in the raw and humid atmosphere of
the Atlantic coast region. A tempera-
ture Of 1860 in Idaho is only equal in
ito effect upon the system to one of
about SOC at Boston or New York; l2o
below in Idaho is rs easily endured as
50 above in the Eastern states. Rare
ly does the temperature fall to zero in
the BOISE valley. This highly oxygen.
atcd atmosphere is especially adapted
to the cure Of catarrh. consumption,
and many other diseases, White frost
occurs late in the fall, and the approach
Of winter is only noticed by the atmos-
phere growing a little cooler each day,
until mid winter is reached, being so
gradual 1t is hardly noticeable. The
coolest weather and snow is expected
after Christmas and rarely lasts beyond
January. Many times farmers pillow
their fields up to the holidays and begin
again early in February. Spring
merges into summer as gradually as |
fan into winter.
Sunstrokes and hydrophobia ara
unknown in idaho. Out of door work
ls carried on in the warmest days with |
out Inconvenience, and every day in
winter. Among the mine and stock |
in tho rudest kind Of shelter, a |
case Of severe freezing, as result Of
such exposure, il never heard Of.
The sky 10 usually free from clouds