The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-09
HOW CYCLONES BEGIN.
Scientific Theory of the Causes of
Great storms.

Great storms.
From the New York Morning Journal
In a recent address Chief Moore OF the
weather bureau at Washington. said:
by the theories Of Redheld, Espy, Loo
mis-. Farrell and others. our great storms
are composed OF immense masses of air
gyrating about a vertical axis, drifting
eastward and at the same time drawing
warm easterly currents into their fronts
and cold westerly currents at their backs,
and from the comminglng of the two, as
they rise to greater and greater eleva-
tons, near the region of the cyciOnic cen
ter. throwing down volumes of rain and
snow, and that. as precipitation occurs
with the ascending currents, the heat of
condensation energies the cyclonic circu-
lation; that the air at the center of the
storm is relatively warm, is rarehed by
centrifugal force, and, by reason of less
density. il rises TO a great elevation and
near the topmOst limits of the air flows
away lateraily TO assist in building up the
high pressure areas on either side. The
high and low pressure areas are supposed
TO be carried eastward by the general east
erly drift of the atmosphere in the middle
latitudes, somewhat as eddies are carried
along by water in running stream.
But unfortunately for the complete
accuracy of these theories, the forecaster
without any cyclonic circulation and no
correctional system in operation.
Again. over immense areas of our country
especially in the Rocky Mountain region,
for many months in the year condensation
occurs not at all in the warmer easterly
currents flowing into the storm center.
but do not occur almost exclusively in the
north and west quarters of the storm area,
where the cold North and west winds are
blowing in, Again, many Investigators
to-day have good reason to doubt that
the centre of the storm is warm to any
great elevation, or that cyclonic eircula-
ton obtains to the top of the air.
I'm outlining, in a rough and general
way, the line of investigation. which, in
my judgment, promises to give the most
prolific results, not only to the cause
of meteorological science, but in the
making of more accurate forecasts for
the benefit of agriculture and commerce,
l will say that we have for years taking
our measurements at the bottom of this
great mountain of air. while the forces
which cause the formation of storms,
and which influence their intensity and d.
rection of motion, operate at great eleVa-
ton or are eXtraneous to our earth.
1t therefore seems imperative that sys-
tematic exploration should be made of
the upper air. Balloon ascensions should
be made in the several quadrants OF the
cyclonic storm and also at the centre
thereof, especially when rain Is railing
and the barometrie gradient Is steep.
1T is especially important to know the
level at which condensation ceases, the
depth of the cloud stream, the tempera-
ture gradient, the air pressure and humid
ity, to a hight of five miles. Skilled aer-
onauts, with complete and accurate IN
struments, should be placed in the region
of the severest action at the season OF the
year when storms are most frequent. They
should be held in readiness until the ap-
proach of storms typical of cyclonic &C
ton, and then from the central ONCE,
where the movement of the storm Is being
carefully watched on the daily synoptic
chart, they should be given telegraphic
orders to ascend. and their ascensions
should be timed 50 as to secure accurate
reading at great elevations throughout
the several quarters of the storm. 1t Is
believed that information so secured will
establish something like an approach to
the true philosophy of storms in contra
distinction to the very imperfect theories
which too often are hastily approved as
demonstrated principles.
I'm winter the great high pressure areas
which constitute our cold waves should
receive the same thorough exploration.
Upper-air exploration may be accom-
pfished by a train of kites carrying auto
matte instruments, by captive kite bal
looms, which may be forced nearer and
nearer the zenith with increasing wind
velocity, or by the ascension of trained
observers in free balloons. We must
strive for the protection of appliances
and instruments which will at no distant
day enable us to present to the forecaster
the chartered synchronus, meteorological
conditions Prevailing at high levels and
covering a great area, Mr. Meade, at
Washington, has secured recently some
good records with kites at 1000 to 1000
feet elevation. Systematic exploration OF
the upper air, with continuation of the
studies begun by Prof. Biglow of terres-
trial magnetic forces, as induced by the
solar magnetic field, will be the line of
investigation prosecuted during the next
two years, from which it is hoped that re-
suits satisfactory to the practical as we'll
as the theoretical man may be obtained"
A Conditional REVOLUTIONARY
husband has disappeared. and may be
dead. l want to offer a reward for his