The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-31
RANGE
WEATHER
FORECASTS

The United States Weather Bureau.
since It's establishment in 1870. has made
daily forecasts of the weather for the
beneht OF the people. and from the start
the subject OF dorecasting has oeen ex-
haustively studied in all It's phases. and
the practical work Of the service facii-
tsted in every possible way. At frst
these forecasts covered a maximum Pc
riod OF eight hours. The work was new
then; but with the increased efficiency
OF the service and the Inauguration OF inn
proved methods, the period covered was
extended without loss of accuracy. until
now the weather bureau is able 10 issue
forecasts for two and sometimes three
days in advance. Under exceptionally
favorable conditions II is possible 10 pre-
dict for even a longer period, but II can
not he kept up from day 10 day ex-
cept al the expense OF accuracy A storm
must be I'm existence or at least begin
10 form before st can be predicted. and
the rapldity with which the vast atn1os-
phertc waves or whirls, designated on the
United States weather map as High and
Low" traverse the country, practically
determines the time limit OF all fore
casts. Our European weather services
are at a disadvantage in this respect on
account OF the much smaller land sur
face over which the constantly changing
conditions OF the atmosphere can be OBJ
served, so that the United States has
easily talssn, and maintains the lead In
practical meteorology
1t is an intensely interesting subject
and a corps OF eminent scientists and ex-
perts tdevotss its entire attention 10 the
fVsr nd pf fhsa
vice The air we breathe. the rainfall
and sunshine. the winds and storms, the
heat and cold are so intimately connect
ed with our daily pursuits, our health
and happiness, that a knowledge OF COM
Ing weather changes must be of incalc'Il-
able advantage and the earlier this
knowledge can he impaired. the greater
the benefits 10 be derived therefrom This
fact has produced a certain class OF long
range weather forecasters who claim
20 be able To foretell the coming weather
for months and even years IN advance:
but the long range weather forecasts have
no foundation whatever and aside from re-
fiecting upon the weather bureau by be-
ing mistaken for its legitimate work
they exert an influence upon the credu-
lous that is baneful and far reaching
Modern text books on meteorology as
well as the weather bureau have found
fessor William VI. Davis OF Harvard IN
his meteorological treatise states:
The control OF the weather by the
moon or planets still occasionally finds
enough Delivers 20 support the publica-
tion of long range weather predictions.
As these are couched in general language
and intended TO be applicable 90 large
areas OF country. II Ia not al all difficult
10 gather q number OF cerihcations for
them, but they are no better than the for
gotten predictions Of astrology of CEN
turies ago.
The present chief OF the weather bu-
reau, Professor Willis l.. Moore, has per-
sonally investigated the work Of rhe long
range weather forecasters, and as the re-
suit OF his labors is led 10 the conclusion
that these forecasters knowingly perpe-
trste fraud and do positive injury 10 the
public at large The methods OF the
weather bureau are open 10 inspection and
It's work. though not always perfect Is
based upon scientific principles and the
best that can he offered under the present
development OF meteorological science II
Is an utter impossiblity 10 predict storms
that have not yet formed and all such
attempts are absurd and foisted upon an
unsuspecting public either for gain or for
notoriety.
r. BUNNTMEYER.
Local Fprecas-er