New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-23
A WIDESPREAD STORM.

That portion Of the country lying east Of the
Mississippi has had a surprising meteorolog-
zeal experience during the last few days. Fol-
lowing close upon the heels of one OF the most
severe cold waves CT the season, and while,
according 10 the almanac, it is still midwin-
ter there has been a sudden development of
yernal Temperatures over wide extent Of ter
ritory Along the Atlantic Coast the influence
of the sea has prevented any conspicuous rise
OF the mercury, but all the way from Texas
to the Lakes and Adirondaclis surprising
warmth has been observed. From two TO three
inches of rain have fallen over most Of this area,
and snow has gone Off with amazing rapidity.
Hundreds of small streams which are tribu-
tary TO the Ohio have broken up, and along that
river formidable floods have ensued. The crisis
is not over, unfortunately, the slow progress Of
the storm prolonging its effects Moreover, its
influence has now extended TO the sources of
the SusQuehanna, Delaware, PaSsaic and Hud-
son. Special peril results from the dams which
have formed, and may be expected to form,
from floating fee. Cakes nearly or fully two
feet thick abound, and in instances the recent
covering of many miles of river has accumu-
lated in a single spot st present these gorges
constitute the most serious feature Of the situa-
ton.
In several places IN the South local storms
OF unusual severity, and belonging TO class
rarely observed except in summer, are report
cd The worst one. apparently 10 that which
wiped out the village OF Moundsville, Ala, and
resulted in q probable loss of nearly forty lives
There can be little doubt that the disturbance
which visited Moundsville was a true tornado.
Like summer squalls and thunderstorms. the
tornado is the offspring OF just such conditions
So have prevailed for day or two IN the Gulf
States Such outbreaks occur in the south
eastern quadrant OF large barometric depres-
sion, when water vapor is abundant in the at
mosphere, and when there are sharp tempera-
ture contrasts in the regions to the east and
west of the afflicted locality. Thus far the cold
wave which helped TO generate the tornado
fingers tardily in the West, doing little to
check the foods in the Ohio Valley and east
ward; but it was visible on yesterdays weather
map.
In singular contrast with the heavy precipi-
tation and notable warmth to the westward
are the conditions which have prevailed for
two or three days in and near the metropolis.
The temperature here fuctuated only slightly.
and kept so close to tine freezing point that
the ice and snow in the streets did not disap-
pear except where the warmth Of cellars affect
ed the pavement. Enough rain fell, however, to
render the walking and driving more difficult.
Little interference with local transportation re-
suited. While the railway companies were
able TO keep their tracks clean, the formation
OF thin coat Of fee on many telegraph wires
unavoidable. That extra burden was
enough TO make more or less trouble yesterday.
Thus was freshly illustrated the fact that the
inconvenience and danger which result from
precipitation are not always proportional to the
amount of water that falls.