The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-05-31
new WEATHER SCHEME
Experts Expect to Give Out
Forecasts a Month Ahead.
GREAT ADVANCES IN MErEoRoLoGY

GREAT ADVANUESlN METEOROLOGY
Observers of the Weather Claim That
the Time May Come When COndi-
lions For q Year In Advance Can
BE Given-Extensive Work Planned
In Atmospheric Research.
Professor Willis L. Moore's predic-
ton, made a few nights ago in New
York, that it will soon be possible to
forecast weather month ahead, is
fully concurred in by weather scien-
lists at Washington, says the New
York Globe. They believe the next few
years Will witness most remarkable
advances in all lines of meteorology.
In fact. the weather observers hold
it not impossible that even greater ac-
complishments may be had than those
predicted by Professor Moore and say
the time may come when it will be
possible to interpret the seasonal
weather from year to year in advance.
Now forecasts are made for from
thirty-six to forty-eight hours. The
government has been thirty years in
developing weather observations to
forecast meteorological conditions for
two days and nights ahead. In this
work the United States has reached a
higher perfection than any other coun-
try.
Present forecasts are based on OBJ
servation of surface conditions over
the entire country, Assistant Chief
Williams Of the weather bureau eX-
planned. Professor Moore and his lieu
tenants are now branching out into a
| new field. This is the exploration of
the upper air or the atmosphere envel
oping the earth up to a height of what
is known as the ten mile level.
By study of upper air conditions, use
of the wireless telegraph for transmit
| ting facts as to both surface and upper
| Air conditions at sea and by a system
| of cooperation with other countries it
| is believed weather science can be de-
yeloped to degree that seems almost
beyond belief. Already the govern
ment has taken preliminary steps to
study the upper air. Three years ago a
| special research institution was begun
at Mount Weather, Virginia, in a high
altitude we'll suited for meteorological
| observations.
Most of the buildings are now up
and apparatus ready, and this summer
extensive work is planned in atmos
pheric research. BY means of balloons
and kites floated to great attitudes and
delicate recording apparatus the tenn
perature, moisture pressure, direction
and velocity of the air at dizzy heights
| will be ascertained.
| Magnetic observations will be taken
| also. The absorption of the suns heat
| by the atmosphere will be measured,
and, more remarkable still. analysis of
| the sunbeam will be made. In fact
there will be the most minute study of
everything pertaining to conditions
miles above the earth's level. 1t is ex-
pected important results will follow
and that it will not be long before such
upper air observations can be extended
over the country.
When this study is perfected at var-
Gus points the weather men say there
is no telling how far in advance it will
be possible to read the weather.
The plain citizen can easily tell when
going out on months trip whether to
take his umbrella and rain coat. The
effect ON agricultural industry and
many other industries will obviously
be great.
Other nations have begun upper air
studies, With interesting results. The
Germans especially have gone far in
this work, but mainly for scientific
purposes and With little idea of apply
ing their findings to practical weather
forecasting as yet. The possibilities OF
wireless telegraphy are enormous il
this connection. Already the govern
ment gets reports from various steam
ers and from lightships as to weather
conditions.
The weather bureau is watching
closely Professor Alexander Graham
Bells experience with tetrahedra
kites. The other day Mt Fort Meyer
near Washington, Professor Bell, witt
a kite at 1000 feet, got message
from $50 miles. An attache of thu
weather bureau is assisting him. A!
the distance lengthens for transmits
sion of wireless messages the field fo
weather reports from sea greatly in
creases.