Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-12-24
FALSE PROPHETS
MAKE WEATHER PREDICTIONS
Much Damage Done by. irresponsible
Pseudo Weather Prophets.-Credu-
ious People Influenced to Their
Prejudice.

N4Vh the earliest times interest in
the weather for approaching seasons,
In View of its bearing upon agricultu-
raj and other pursuits naturally
prompted efforts to predict the wea-
thef, says +, II. Brandenburg OF Den
yer In government bulletin. Note
was made of the conditions that pre-
eeded good or bad weather. and the
temperance of certain conditions
was taken as a basis for predicting
certain weather. To these observa-
HONS We're added others. such as the
ulBht OF birds, the movement or action
OF animals. even aches and pains o.
,he human body, and the like. result
ihs IN The acceptance as true of many
shieNd and interesting observations.
but more that were absurd
Astronomical phenomena, such as
phases OF the moon and the conjunc-
tloh OF the planets, OF all the most ir-
rational. We're and are still credited
by some with control of the weather.
Notwithstanding persistent obserya-
uoRs on the part of the leading astron-
omcrs and meteorologists of the world
nave demonstrated them to be devoid
of influence.
In modern times meteorology is re
stricted To the department of natural
philosophy which treats of the wea-
ther and Is naturally the most diff
culi and involved of sciences and
thus Tar incapable of reduction to alb
solute accuracy. though efforts to OBJ
tain this end have accomplished
much
Every effort. in scientific manner.
is also being made to ascertain laws
that viii make it possible To forecast.
In a general way. whether an ap-
preaching season will conform to or
depart from the weather common 10
such season; the time. however. has
NOT yet arrived. but unlimited observ-
vatons thus far made have demon
straied the impossibility OF exceeding
a period of two or three days in ac-
cuTato forecasting for a particular
date
II is obvious that an accurate fore
cast FOR particular date can only be
mfde from known conditions. The
forecast itself is a predetermination
OF continuance of or change in the
conditions known to exist at time of
forecast II is equally obvious. there
for that II a change In the atmos-
spherlc conditions occurs after fore
cast and during the term thereof. not
scientifically anticipated at the time
OF the forecast. the forecast itself
must fail.
These charges in atmospheric condi-
ti0ns are constantly occurring during
the Term Of a forty-eigbt- hour forecast.
and are certain to occur, not once, but
fstrn4rflt hs s.f
range forecast. and are wholly beyond
human anticipation or scientific knowl-
edge.
! This demonstrates conclusiyely that,
unless the long-range forecasters are
gifted with divine foresight and fore
knowledge Of these changes. a fore
cast for an indefinite period In the fu-
ture can possess no value. and its veri-
iication Is purely an accident. or rather
coincidence. Important interests are
Infected by the condition of the
weather. and influenced by fore
l-nowledge OF its conditions. II is clear,
therefore,, that any longrange fore
cast. impossible In nature, must GER
,ainly do untold harm. A prophet has
always and viii ever attract attention.
We are prone TO look into the future.
Trading. generally for gain, upon this
element of human nature. men spring
fito notice from time TO time by pre-
ending to forecast. at long range. Sc
we're storms, droughts and other at
-nospheric phenomena. thus infiuenc-
ing the credulous to their prejudice.
In the seasons OF the year when
cast storms are of frequent occur
rence, storms are forecast in hazy
way and applicable to the indefinite 10
eality. In the winter. the time of snow
md wind, snow and wind at some
place at some indefinite time are fore
cast. At other times, terrible floods
or blighting droughts calculated to
strike terror to the hearts Of the tsmid.
are predicted. Little things like rains
throughout a limited area. though
foreknowledge thereof would be OF
real benefit. are not deemed worthy OF
consideration by these men to whom
he mysteries of heaven and earth
seem to have been intrusted. The ter
ror of meo must be aroused.
Strange to say. when by mere CO
incidence storm appears or drought
occurs within the broad confines OF the
United States, the forecast. unaccred-
ted TO place or date. Is considered as
yerified and the forecaster is regarded
rs a phenomenon. The hundreds OF
unverified are buried in oblivion. The
seemingly accurate one is resurrected
and given publicity TO the public detri-
ment, by these diligent so-called fore
casters. Vanity and gain are the only
explainable reasons for this KIND OF
work, since such forecasts do untold
harm. Almanacs have been published
Tor more than a century. giving in ad-
ance the weather conditions day by
lay for the ensuing year. and even Tor
a century. always, however. without a
specihcation of the area to be affected.
4 forecast of rain everywhere or any
where In the country, regardless OF the
Conditions prevalent elsewhere at the
time. Such forecasts are as good or
rather as inaccurate. as worthless. but
not SO harmful, as the long-range fore
casts Of the latter day venders OF