Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-27
THE OCEAN AND THE WEATHER.
Influence of the Former on the Lat
ter nm Important Topic.
Copyright, 1897.

Influence of the Former on the Lat
ter nm Important Topic.
Not the least remarkable and important
OF the researches that are now being con-
Quoted by scientific men the world over
are those of Prof. Otto Peterson, in asso-
cation with the labors Of Swedish Nor
wegian. German. Danish and British
oceanograpkers, on the relation existing
between the surface temperature Of the sea
and atmospheric disturbances. This is
shown to be most intimate, as even a COM
paratively insignificant change Of tempera-
ture In the surface waters, whether in the
upward or in the downward scale. affects
the everything air columns in a most mark
ed manner-to the extent. indeed, of pro-
ducing cyclonic movements. From a large
number of observations made in particular
cases. and from the still more important
long-period averages Of data obtained at
Danish. Norwegian and British coast sta
tons. 1t is established almost conclusively
that where warm oceanic water has from
any cause been brought into the North sea
or the Baltic in specially large quantities
in autumn, the weather of the following
winter has been marked by an unusually
large number of cyclones and accompany
Ing mild weather.
If, on the contrary there is a sllrplusa pe
OF cold fresh water. brought down by the
streams Of the land and distributed over
the sea surface. then a hard. cold winter
characteristic of anti-cyclonic conditions
follows, with displacement westward of
the true cyclonic movement. The warm
winter of 1894 was preceded and accompa-
mined by the presence Of vast quantities
of warm oceanic water in the North sea;
during the intensely cold winter of the fol-
lowing year QS95). on the other hand,
the southern paft Of the North sea was
entirely filled with fresh cold waters.
chiefly derived from the land.
The Importance OF these observations
cannot be overstated, and while much vet
remains to be accomplished before extern
sive practical use can be made Of them,
or perhaps even a hypothesis established
or proved. there is reason to believe. with
Mrs. Dickson, who has reviewed the evil
dence. that before long a limited number
of observations. judiciously selected as to
time and place, will enable us to forecast
with confidence, not the weather for a day
or a few days. but the general character of
or severe, and possibly also whether the
summer Is to be wet or warm. Arrange
nents are now being completed for max
Ing q most extended series of observations
In different parts of the North Atlantic
during 1893. As evidence of the interest
that Is being taken in these researches. and
of the Importance that Is attached to them,
1t might be stated that in a period of ten
months Of the years 1886 upward of
1.6OO samples OF surface water, most of
the product brought together gratuitously
by captains and other officers of vessels
interested In the work, had been transmit
ted to Prof. Peterson for examination and
analysis. The science of oceanography
seems likely to enter upon a new field Of
usefulness, and 1t Is with good reason that
scientists are loudly advocating in its be-
half the study of the entire oceanic sur
face, but especially that part Of 1t which
In its varying conditions is as yet least
known to and which lies in the Arctic
and Antarctic tracts.