Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-27
RAINFALL IN AUGUST
Unusual Precipitation Noted by
the Weather Bureau.
SEARCHING FOR THE CAUSE
No Well-Grounded Reason Advanced
by the Theorists.
PROF. GARRI0TTs OBSERVATIONS
Reversal Of General Distribution Of
Barometric Pressure-Early Cessa-
ton Of Rain Promised.
PROF. GARRI0TTs OBSERVATIONS

The rainy season, noted as unprecedented
In Duration which has prevailed in this
section of the country for the past two
months, has caused innumerable queries to
be addressed to the newspapers and the
weather bureau regarding the causes OF
phenomenal conditions. The weather-wise
prophets have in every instance replied that
the matter Is surrounded by the deepest
meteorological mystery
One citizen, who says he has been nom
plussed by the continued wet weather, de-
clared 1t to be his belief that the same
causes which brought on the destructive
earthquakes in California, Chile and other
places are responsible for the rainy and
damp conditions which have prevailed here
abouts.
Il am not well enough versed in the SCI
ence of earthquakes and meteorology." he
said, Ito explain the connection between
the 'quakes and the wet weather, but the
summer of 1906 has been cram-full of alb
normalities, and to my mind when the
scientists discover the real cause of the
shaking up of old mother earth by under
ground eruptions they will at the same
time find out what causes such drencning
spells as we are having, and the reason
for the hot and cold waves as WELL"
Omcials at the weather bureau say there
Is not any connection between earthquakes
and the abnormal weather conditions re-
ferred to, but they do not deny That they
are unable to determine the cause of the
wet SPELL There are others who believe
that the unusual rainy season through
which the region about Washington has
been passing Is due to solar or lunar causes,
but they do not attempt to explain why.
Ihe heavens are an UNEMPLOYED locality"
said one, land it is beyond the ken of
man to give anything but the merest the
cries concerning happenings overhead. The
skies and the planets and other heavenly
things are deep mysteries, which man mas
not solved and cannot solve"
Prof. CARROTS View.
When Prof. Edward B. Garriott, one of
the most noted meteorologists in the United
States, and who is an official forecaster of
the weather bureau, was asked today by a
Star reporter concerning the rainy season
he said the present month has proved to be
most phenomenal one as to precipitation.
Thus far in August" he added, there
has been three times the usual amount Of
rainfall. The average fall of rain for the
month has been less than four inches. We
have had already since August l more than
twelve inches Of rain
1t is his belief that the rainy DAYS will be
over, at least for the present, after tonight.
There may be some showers this afternoon
and tonight, but by tomorrow morning, 1t
is predicted, the storm clouds will pass
cool weather will follow.
THE rainy condition, so far as we see
it" said Prof. Garriott, has been a rever-
sal of the general distribution of barometric
pressures. This distribution has been I'M
usual and abnormal. Ordinarily at this
season of the year the barometer is high
over the southern states and low over the
northern part of the country. During the
past two months the barometer has been
high In the north and low in the south.
That is the immediate cause of the long
continued spell Of wet weather. No one
knows the real foundation of these condi-
tions, which has brought more than three
times the usual amount of rainfall in the
month Of August"
Being asked as to the probable solar or
lunar connection with the unusual condi-
now trying to discover IL there is any such
connection. and maintained that as yet the
real cause is mystery. and he did not ex-
pect that similar conditions would recur for
many years.
Hardships and Inconvenience.
In the meantime the citizens of the Dis
trct are suffering various hardships and
Inconvenience as a result of the continued
precipitation. Bureau and other drawers
and doors have become useless from being
swollen by the excessive dampness of the
atmosphere. Easements in many homes
have been rendered uninhabitable owing to
the muggy and damp conditions, and sum-
mer colds have been contracted by many,
besides other forms Of illness. In many
houses complaint is made of the mildewing
of clothing and other articles even on the
upper floors. Walls have been ruined In
numerous instances and other damage done
by the dampneSS.
Another result has been the enervatlpg
condition of the atmosphere owing to the
high percentage of humidity. This OPP
pressiveness has brought the most distress
Ing results, especially when the sun shines
through the moisture-laden' air, and physi-
clans say the prevailing dampness may re-
suit in much sickness before the buildings
are thoroughly dried out by the sun.
Record for Thirty-Five Years.
The records of the weather bureau, which
go back thirty-ave years. show that the
fall of rain during the twenty-sevcn days
of the present month was greater, with
one exception, than for any August during
that period of more than third Of GEN.
fury. The figures for each August from
1871 to 1906 were furnished The Star as
follows:
1871, 1.59 inches; 1872, 5.72 inches; 1873,
S en 1916 4i7 inches is7T "a inches:
1873 $50 inches; 1879, 1856 inches; $780, 1888
inches; 1881. 1.O7 inches 1882 4.A inches;
1883, $50 inches; 1884. 1.01 inches; 1885.
inches; 1888, 3.35 inches 1889, 3O7 inches;
1890, $50 inches; 1891, AIS inches; 1892,
Os5 inches; 1893, 2.S2 inches; 1894, 2 inches:
1895, 1.26 inches; 1885, 2.65 inches, 1897,
inches; 1900, 2.2s inches; 1901, 412 inches;
1902 1.S5 inches; 1903, 4.52 inches; 1904,
297 inches; 1905. 9.7o inches. and 1906,
II. 20 inches.
The number Of days in August for the
past thirty-five years on which there was
O1 inch or more of rainfall is given by the
weather bureau as follows: 1871. 8; 1872,
-: 1873, Is; 1874. o; 1875, IS: 1876. II; 1877,
- o. A.
IA 1885, g.: 1884, s; 1885, u; 1885. 8; 1887,
49, 1888, 10; 1889. 10: 1890. II; 1891, 10; 1892,
8: $685. 8; 1894. 8; 1895. 8; 1896. z; 1897, 10;
1898, s: 1899, 10: 1900, IL; 1901, 10; 1902, 8:
1903 IA; 1904, II; 1905, IL; 1906 (thus far).
Is.