Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-17
The Cold Winter of 1893 90.

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
The winter o! 1892 80 has thus far been phe-
nomenslly cold. Why? is the question often
asked. Prior to the advent of the weather map
all sorts of theories were indalged in in order
20 explain phenomenal conditions of heat or
cold. The principal explanation seemed to
connect such conditions with some extra or de-
fcient force of the suns heat. When the tenn
perature Was very cold the theory Of the grad
ual loss OF heat by reason of the cooling Of the
earth and the decline in the heating power of
the sun seemed quite satisfactory. But when
the winters were mild. in lS90-9l 1922,
such theory did not appear plausible. But
what gave this theory the worst blow was, when
In 1891 90 1t was very mild in the western con-
tinent and very cold in the eastern continent.
As the earth is known to reyolve once in twenty
four hours. all lis surface thereby being ex-
posed 10 the rays of the sun it was very strange
that the same sun. shining on the same earth.
within the same twenty-four hours, should
have any power OF discrimination to make one
half o. the earth warm and the other half cold,
all on the same lire Of latitude.
SO the theory of the decline or the increase
OF the sun power falls and becomes Of no value
IN the case. Then a certain class OF individuals
seem to turn to the mystical and, in this case,
unimportant power OF electricity. Electricity
l.. with them. an unknown force. They know
that it il powerful agent. therefore they jump
at the conclusion that electricity must in some
manner be the cause. But this Is mere boys play
OF fancy. A. shown in prior papers, electricity,
like the wind, is merely n result or effect, and
not a cause. But of late years an explanation
has come to us. Not like some great invention
which startles the world, like gunpowder.
steam or electricity, but quietly. When the
weather map fret introduced its possibilities
were little dreamed OF; ard even to this day the
very men Of science, whom il should most
interest still seem quite indifferent 10 the great
lts.h- sltaf Iii Il.
phenomena connected with our atmosphere.
Until we had this wonderful map, indeed until
II was well developed, the world knew nothing 10
speak of of the ocean of atmosphere that sur
rounds our globe and makes it habitable
sphere for man and beast.
By consulting this map we see that there are
two great factors continually marching over
the surface of our earth on general lines from
the west toward the east These two factors
are high and low barometer. The map has
well and concusively revealed to us that
high is cold day factor, and that these
conditions Of cold and dry are in proportion to
its area and intensity. and that these condi-
tons are more intense in winter than in
summer. An average summer "high" will be
80 J., while the winter high" will reach 3O.6,
or even more. Low" is a wet factor, and
warm or cold in proportion to its latitude.
The wind Is from the high" toward the slow"
The north ''low' in this country is the one
running on the line of the lakes and the st.
Lawrence valley. A south low" will be one
along he line of the gulf. The north flow"
causes south winds, while the south slow"
causes north winds.
These highs and slows" are continually
moving in belts over the country, on general
lines, from ths wet toward the east. 4 series
of north lows with moderate and southern
highs will produce mild warm condi-
ton OF the atmosphere; while a series of Gen.
tTai highs will produce cold conditions, there
being no power Ia them to heat.
Why this change in the line OF movement of the
"highs" and lows" That is one OF the things
that Is not revealed TO US. IL is first cause.
We hay. 10 accept itas a fact that they do somove
In other pa ers I havediscussed the reasons for
these peculiar movements. Nature is never
twice alike In anything, and there is no rea-
son why the atmosp here should be an exception.
The earth turns quite regularly on its axis and
We; there Is "a variation in the manner OF this
turning; and herein lies one. If not the chief
cause OF the irregular formation and movement
of these factors, which we term high" and
"iow.' These belts are al the while changing,
moving up or down little. And the highs
and lows have to vary in their line only
few degrees in order to produce these peculiar
and varying results. We have no power to
fOretell the variations of these highs and
lows. We have had a number OF years OF
mild weather. when the influence of the north
lows has prevailed. 1t may be that we may
now have such moving up or down of these
belts Is to bring the highs quite central and
this condition NAV have its run the same as the
north lows" had their run. IL 30 it means
cold weather.
The sun continues TO shine and its power is
not diminished. but the factor ''high' il pushed
up or down. so rs to cover the territory Of the
al extensive low temperature.
january l6, 1898 Jpn