The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-26
what tho Flsgs HOisted by the weather
Bureau Are Intended To Tell.

A correspondent requests the publica-
ton of the meaning of the different signal
ilags displ ayed by the weather bureau, as
considerable interest has been awakened
here on this question since the signals
have been displayed on the New York
building.
There are two distinct sets Of signals in
the weather service. both of which are DIS
played in Seattle. Those shown on the
roof Of the New York building indicate the
kind Of weather that may be expected.
such "a state OF the weather, temperature
rain, etc. are five in number, and are
rhown throughout the Hhole United
States. The set Of flags disp!a aged At Hat
fields wharf are storm and wind direction
signals. are three In number on this coast.
and are intended principally for the infor-
nation OF mariners. The flags are differ
cnt and they are used for an entirely diff
fercnt purpose from the weather :iag. On
the Great Lakes this system embraces a
fourth flag used as a cautionary signal.
An explanation of the weather flags, OF
which there are five. is as follows:
No !. white Gag. elk Zee. square, ixDtca.es
clear or fair weather.
No ,. blue flag, six feet square. indicates
rain snow.
No 3. iss six feet aqnaus. UPPER half white
lower halt blue. indicates that local rain, or
showers wiii occur. and that the ram will no,
be general.
No Z. a black. triangular Tag ionY feet at the
base and SIX feet long. always refers to senpe,a
tarc. When Placed above either OF the trst
three u Indicates warmer weather When
plscet below either Of them II indicates colder
weather. When cot displayed the indications
are that The temperature will remain about sta.
sionary
Ne. 5. = white flag six feet square with black
square Ia the center. indicates .se approach nj
n sudden snd decided fail in Temperature Tai.
is not displayed unless 1t IL expected that the
temperature will fall TO & degrees or lower. ana
Is usually ordered twenty four hours in advance
OF the cold wave. Waen this flag 10 sisu.ayed
". Is always omitted
When these signals are arranged on mole.
they read iroa the top downward When dls
PLAYED on hcriznatsl supports q small strea.,.-
is attached to indicate the point from which the
signals arc 10 b read
The storm, signals are three IN numhsr
aud shox the severity Of the sto-m and
the direction of the wind as follows:
The storm sissal--t red Gag leigh, fee,
SQUARED with black cent>r (three ice, square, in
Gicsies thas she storm 10 expected To b. severe
A red peanans lavc feet hoist asa twelve fe.,
wtaa., TIA. 10. tscfa northeast 70 sontn Ia
elusive, sad that the storm eeater 10 APPROACH.
ing
Waite peansat ave feet hoss. sna ,wr,x.
tee; nv dtsp.syed with ;ae fsS indicates wes,
eElv winds. that Il, from nc-sh t. soathwe.,
inclusive. aad thai the stosus center has ps,s.s.
nrE The red reunar; Is hcis,es: above n.
storm s!gaal winds are er 2ec;si from sss NORTH
ca, quadrant; waeu eelow. from TIE soathe,.,
sas:txn,-
whea the white renaaas 70 hals;e: shove ira
storm sixGa winds Are ex recset frota the ,,o-,s
west aGatTsas. when below, from the south
vest quadrant
Rx uignsa rel Light iaiies.e~ ees,e-lv vIo.,
awsite seoye . red light indicates WESTERN
v;nSs
Tia information slGusi consfsts Of the ,es
psunxns And indicates iass TIE d.splay sssa IA.
received snsasnsssos ct storm covering oalx
limited ares. dangerous only sor ve,sess sAna,
10 sa,i - certain poias The s.gnal serve. a.
notification 30 sal7nsAsiers that iaapor,aa, IN
formation sill Be sivsa oz application 10 tie
tf.ufsy rnza