Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-04

washington, October SIT Is the
policy of Secretary James Wilson to
extend the operations OF the Depart
ment of Agriculture along all useful
lines authorized by law. Recently.
after consultation with the chief of
the weather bureau, he decided to
make use of some Of the great fund
of meteorological information contain
ed in the weather bureau by having a
monthly marine meteorological chart
issued for the benefit Of the mariners
of the great lakes. He was of the
opinion that by study of the records
of past storms, much useful informa-
ton might be collected and published,
showing a month in advance what
mariners may reasonably expect.
The first of this
SERIES OF MONTHLY CHARTS
was mailed from the central office of
the weather bureau yesterday. 1t
gives information relative to the pres
ent month of October 1t shows the
principal tracks pursued by storms in
crossing the lake region. The track of
greatest frequency is eastward across
the center of Lake Superior. The
storm track next in Importance is a
line drawn from Milwaukee northeast
to Alpena. The next in order of fire.
quency is a line drawn from the
southern point of Lake Michigan
northeast to Port Huron; and the least
frequented of the four storm tracks ia
represented by line drawn from Port
Arthur southeast to Petoskey, Mich.
In other words, if, during the coming
month, mariner notices by the daily
reports
A STORM CENTER
in the region of any one of these
tracks, he can very accurately deter
mine what will be it's future course
and can Gtanr accordingly
Inc chart shows the normal wind
direction for the coming month at
each one Of the weather bureau sta
tons and about the number of foggy
days that may be expected on different
portions of the several lakes as de-
cermined by the records Of the past
twenty-seven years.
The text printed on the back OF the
chart shows the location of all th.
danger signals OF the weather bureau
about one hundred and twenty-five
in number-and much other informa-
ton useful to vessel masters.
A TYPICAL CYCLONE STORM
is shown in one corner OF the chart
with the converging of the winds to-
ward the center, and wind baro-
meter table Of the lake region is in
cluded in the text
A little study of the diagram Of the
storm center in connection with the
wind barometer table, will enable cap
tains who have left port to determine
the probable course Of storm centers
last noted on the weather bureau
charts on shore.
On the average, five storms pass
directly over the lake region In Ccto-
Der, a majority of which, however,
can be safely weathered by the larger
craft. Occasionally in October storms
Of unusual severity sweep over the
lakes, endangering the safety OF the
strongest vessels. In the last twenty
years, not more than half dozen such
storms have occurred in the month
above named. The storm of October
1924, 1887, was probably one OF the
most widespread and severe for the
season that has occurred within re-
cent years.
October is month Of transition
from warm to cold. generally one OF
the most pleasant In the year. The
change
TO WINTER CONDITIONS
is first noticeable on Lake Superior,
where light snow storms NAV occrr at
any time after the fifteenth. snow
falls in the vicinity of Marquette q
little earlier than at other points tn
the westward. 1t has been observed a.
early as September 18th, both at Mar.
quette and Sault Ste Marie. On lowers,
Lake Michigan snow has fallen al
early as October 9Th, but the average
date for snow there is about a month.
later. The average date of snow at
the eastern end of Lake Erie-that i.
October 2Sth-is about ten days earlier
than at tho u-ort crd