The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-07-31
SUCH is LIFE IN ALASKA
Farmer Wilson has His Hired Man Moore
Tell About tho Weather,

Tell About tho Weather.
Washington. July 3o.-Under the direc-
ton of Secretary of Agriculture Yilscn.
Chief Moore, Of the weather bureau, has
made public a statement in regard to
the climate Of Alaska. In this statement
Mr.. Moore says:
1.-The climates Of the coast and the in
terror of Alaska are unlike in many res
poets, and the differences are intensified
In this. as perhaps in few other coun-
tries, by exceptional physical conditions.
The fringe of islands that separates the
mainland from the Pacific ocean from
Dixon Sound north and also strip of
the mainland for possibly twenty miles
back from the sea- following the sweep
of the coast as it curves 10 the north
westward to the western extremity OF
Alaska. form a distinct climatic division
which may be termed Alaska The tenn
perature rarely falls 10 zero; winter does
not set in until December l, and by the
last Of May the snow has disappeared,
except on the mountains.
The mean winter temperature Of Sit
ka is 325, but less than that Of Washing
ton, D. c.
THE rainfall of temperate Alaska is
about the worst the world over, not only
as regards the quantity that falls, but
also as to manner of its falling, viz: In
long and incessations, rain, drizzles,
cloud and fog naturally Astounding there,
and being on an average but sixty-six
clear days in the year.
North OF the Alutian islands the coast
climate becomes more rigorous in winter.
but in summer the difference is much
less marked.
The climate Of the interior, including
in that destination practically all Of tna
country except a narrow fringe of coas-
margin and the territory before referred
10 AS temperate Alaska, is one Of ex-
treme rigor in winter. with brief bu.
relatively hot summer, especially when
the sky is free from clouds
In the Klondyke region in mid winter
the sun rises from $50 TO 10 a. M, and
sets from 10 3 p. m. the total length
OF daylight being about four hours. The
sun rises but a few degrees above the
horizon and as il is wholly obscured on
great many days. the character OF the
winter months may be imagined
I'VE are indebted 20 the United States
coast and geodetic survey for serie.
Of 81 months observations on the Yukon.
not FAR from the site OF the preSen; god
fields. The observations were made with
standard instruments and are wholly reli-
able. The mean iempera lures OF the
months October, 1889. 10 April. 1890, ootn
inclusive are as follows: October, So
degrees; November. S degrees; December,
II degrees below zero; January. u below
zero: February, Is below zero; March,
! s above zero: April. 20 above zero The
, daily mean temperature fell and remain
( ed below the freezing point go degrees)
! from November 4. 1859. to April Il, 1880
I thus giving los days as the length Of the
/ c,osed season Of 1880. assuming tha; on,
door operations are controlled by tenn
perature only
+ The lowest temperatures registered dug
ing the winter were s. degrees below re-
( 70 in November. A. below in December
! 80 below in January. 50 below in Februa-
~. IS below in March. and % below in
April.
The greatest continuous cold occurred
in February. 1889. when the daily mean
for FIVE consecutive days Vas - degree:
below zero,
Greater cold than TIA; has been ex-
perienced in The United States for 4
! short time. but never has i continues
so very cold for 50 long a time On the
Yukon the winter sets in as early a,
! September. when snow storms may D.
! expected in the mountains and passes
/ Roadway during one OF these storms il
impossible and the trave-e- VINO Is over
taken by one az Them : indeed toE;u'
nate IL he escap pes with his life
The changes Of temperature from wlz'
ter I, summer are rapid, owing 20 Ia