The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-29
THE WEATHER.
Storm Warnings from Alaska and the AIeutian
Islands.
BY LIEUT.. J. P. FINLEY. U. $. SIGNAL SERVICE.

BY LIEUT.. J. p. FINLEY, U. 5. SIGNAL SERVICE.
| Correspondence invited. suggestions desired.
and information cheerfully furnished. Every ef-
fort employed to make this Bureau % practical use
/ 10 the readers OF The NATIONAL TRIBUNE. All
communications should be Addressed Weather,
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Office Washington D. 4. I
study Of cyeIonic development in the
North Pacific Ocean reveals the presence Of a
storm region within and about the location OF
the japanese Current, or the great Pacific Gulf
Stream. This is the breednR-ground Of the
atmospheric disturbances OF the North Pacific,
and a study Of their formation and subsequent
movement eastward is of great Importance TO
proper understanding Of the meteoroogy of
the Pacific Coast Of the United States. Even
more, the fact that these storms eventually
reach the great Mississippi Valley, sometimes
over the Northern Plateau, but more fire.
quently suddenly enter that valley directly
from the British Possessions. adds largely 10 the
Importance Of a thorough investigation Of their
place Of origin
Since 1871 the Signal Service has maintained.
with more or less regularity. stations Of obser-
walton in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
Besides the regular stations of the service. rec
ords have been kept at various places by vol
untary observers, 10 whom instruments have
been loaned by the Government. Exploring
expeditions under both private and Govern
mental auspices have kept records along their
routes of travel
All stations of observation have been main
tanned with considerable difficulty and expense
owing TO the isolation Of the country and lack
OF facilities for transportation. The records.
therefore, could only reach the central office at
Washington or the branch office at San Fran
cisco after long delays generally once in six
months, but sometimes only once y year For
purposes Of general study, the information thus
collected had its value and served to show the
existence Of a region Of storm deveIopment
southwest Of the Aleutian Islands Such data
the also demonstrated the easterly movement Of
storm areas from the ocean into the interior Of
British North America.
Taken in connection with meteorological OBJ
seryations recorded on the Japan islands il
was made apparent that the typhoOns Of the
China and Japan Seas became later on in their
easterly progression. the cyclones that enter
British Columbia and the northwest coast Of
the United States. Much assistance in this
matter has been rendered by the data cOlIated
from ships logs, especially vessels cruising be-
tween Alaska and the United States. and the
merchant-marine engaged in the China trade
The study Of past records and those which
are now gradually accommodating after long de-
lays by mail, demonstrate the certainty Of
storm development and movement in the
North Pacific, and the importance Of obtaining
daily reports from the storm region Such re-
trio Telegraph, and their prompt arrival at San
Francisco would afford the means Of greatly
Improving the preparation Of weather forecasts
for the Pacific Coast States Certain Of the
best located islands Of the Aleutian Archipelago
should be connected by cables to the mainland
OF Alaska and thence communication by tele-
graph land lines 10 the United States. This
plan IS quite as practicable as the connection
OF the West India Islands by cables and land
lines TO the Florida Peninsula for the purpose
OF communicating storm warnings 20 the At
lantic seaport towns and cities. The Alaska
line would have to be constructed and main
tanned at Government expense. but it could
also be used, as all Government lines are for
commercial purposes. and the income thus
secured applied to defray cost Of maintenance
There are some plans being talked Of for the
construction Of a transcontiueHtaI railway line
10 connect Thea United States with Russia
through Alaska by bridging Bering Straits In
the event Of the accomplishment Of such a
scheme, which is rather doubtful telegraphic
communication between the United States and
Alaska would be assured as the result of pri-
vate enterprise. The islands Of the Aleutian
group would have to be connected by cables TO
the railway land line, probably at Government
expense, as no corporation would DO likely to
find it profitable To construct and maintain
such means Of communication.