The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-05
AUGUST MAGAZINES
hence westward to the Kadiak and shu-

thence westward to the Kadiak and shu-
magin Islands.
THE fringe of islands that separates
the mainland from the Pacific ocean from
Dixon sound northward and also a strip
of the mainland for possibly twenty mics
back from the sea. following the sweep
of the coast. as It curves to the north
westward to the western extremity or
Alaska, form a distinct climate division
which may be termed temperate Alaska.
The temperature rarely falls to zero; win
ter does not set in until Dec. I. and by the
last of May the snow has disappeared ex-
cept on the mountains. The mean winter
temperature of Sitka is 1926, but little less
than that of Washington, ID. c. While
Sitka is fully exposed to the sea influence,
places farther inland, but not over the
coast range of mountains, as Killisnoo and
Juneau, have also mild temperatures
throughout the winter months. The tenn
perature changes from month TO month
i'm temperate Alaska are small, not exceed
ing % degrees from midwinter to midsum-
mer The average temperature of July,
the warmest month of summer, rarely
reaches SIS degrees, and the highest tenn
perature of a single day seldom reaches 20
degees.
THE rainfall of temperate Alaska Is no
torious the world over. not only as regard
the quantity that falls, but also as to the
manner of its falling, viz, in long and
incessant rains and drizzles. Cloud and
fog naturally abound, there being on an
average but sixty-six clear days in the
year.
Alaska is land OF striking contrasts,
both in climate as well as topography.
When the sun shines the atmosphere Is
remarkably clear, the scenic effects are
magnificent; all nature seems to be in
holiday attire. But the scene may change
very quickly; the sky becomes overcast;
the winds increase in force; rain begins
to fall; the evergreens sigh ominously
and utter desolation and loneliness pre-
vail.
North of the Aleutian Islands, the
coast climate becomes more rigorous in
winter, but in summer the difference Is
much less marked. Thus at st. Michaers
a short distance north of the mouth of
the Yukon, the mean summer tempera-
ture is so degrees, but degrees cooler
than Sitka. The mean summer temporal
tur of Point Barrow, the most northerly
point in the United States, is 1868 degrees.
but four-tenths of a degree less than the
temperature OF the air flowing across the
summit of Pixies Peak, Col.
THE rainfall of the coast region north
OF the Yukon delta is small, diminishing
to less than ten inches within the arctic
circle.
"The climate OF the interior, including
country except a narrow fringe Of coast
al margin and the territory before referred
to temperate Alaska, Is one of extreme
rlgor In winter. with a brief. but relatively
hot. summer, especially when the sky is
free from clouds.
In the Klondike region In midwinter
the sun rises from $3.50 to 10 a. M, and
sets from to p. m, the total length
Of daylight being about four hours Re-
Numbering that the sun rises but a few
degrees above the horizon and that Il IL
wholly obscured on a great many days
the character OF the winter months may
easily be imagined.
I'VE are Indebted 10 the United states
Coast and Geodetlc Survey for a series OF
six months observations on the Yukon.
not far from the site Of the present gold
discoveries. The observations were made
with standard instruments. and are wholly
reliable. The mean temperature of the
months October. 1889, TO April 1890. both
inclusive. are as follows October, 80 de-
gress: November, 8 degrees: December. II
degrees below zero. January, IL degrees
below zero: February. Is degrees below
zero March, degrees above zero; April.
% degrees above. The daily mean tenn
perHture fell and remained below the
freezing point C82) from Nov. 4. 1899 TO
April q. 1890 thus giving iG8 days as the
length Of the closed season Of 1880. as
trOlled by temperature only.
The lowest temperatures registered dur
ing the winter were: 30 degrees below zero
IN November a below In December. 50 be-
low In January, s. below IN February, a.
below In March. 20 below IN April
"The greatest continuous cold occurred
in February, 1880, when the daily mean
for five consecutive days was AZ degrees
below zero. The weather moderated slight
~ about March 1, but the temperature
sim remained below the freezing point.
Generally cloudy weather prevailed. there
being but three consecutive days IN any
month with clear weather during the
whole winter Snow fen on about one
third OF the days In winter and less
number IN the early spring and late fall
months
"Greater cold than that here noted has
been experienced Ia tie United States
for q very short time, but never has u
continued so very cold for 80 long u time.
Ia the interior OF Alaska the winter fets
In as early a. September. when snow
storms may be- expected In the noun
tnins and passes Tleadway during one
OF these storms ls impossible. aud the
traveller who ~ overtaken by one OF them
n indeed fortunate N be escapes with his
NE Snow storms Of great severity may
occur in any month from September 20
MAY, inclusive.
The changes OF temperature from win
ter 10 summer are rapid, owing 20 the
great increase n the length OF the day.
In May the sun rises AZ about 3 "a. M,