New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-21
TO STUDY UPPER AIR
Series of Experiments at Weather
Stations by Kites and Balloons.
From The Tribune Bureau.

Washington, July 20.-An extensive series Of
experiments in the study of the phenomena Of
TIE upper air will be instituted in all parts If
Tie world the coming week In this country
they viii be made at Mount Weather, Blue
T1aI1s, Va, and at the Blue Hill Observatory, at
HYDE Park, Mass. At nearly a score OF other
Places IN different parts of the world stimuli
famous experiments viii be made and the re-
suits Of the observations. secured by sending up
balloons for the purpose, will be forwarded 20
The International Commission for Scientific
Aeronautcs at Strasburg, Germany. for tabula-
ton and comparison. The purpose is TO make
Heteorology a more exact science.
In forecaSting the weather the government
perts utilize every scientific fact that is known
about the atmosphere, its temperatures. moist
ure, currents and such phenomena. To improve
the service the crying need IS for facts 10
apply. The movement of the blanket Of air that
surrounds the earth has shown itself 10 be prob
ably the most important factor in weather con-
citions. This was true at the time OF the
usually cold weather of the present spring. There
were areas OF low pressure in the tropics and
OF hlgn pressure IN the far north which caused
The cold winds TO continue constantly toward the
south. If the causes Of these high and low pres
sutes were known a great step would be made
toward confidently forecasting the weather for
longer periods.
The United States government station at
Mount Weather, fifty miles west of Washing
ton. was established for the purpose Of develop
ing additional scientific facts to be applied
throughout the country. That station IS at pres
ent perfectng apparatus for 4 more thorough
study or the upper air than has ever before been
1nduS. captive balloons 10 carry delicate record
HiS instruments 10 a helght as great as fifteen
miles are being tried, and atmospheric condi-
lions at such heights VIII be studied. AT the
present time readings are being daily made at
Mount Weather at attitudes of from one to two
miles by means Of kites. These readings ara
being found OF much value IN fOrecastng wealth
er, Tor experience proves that shallow strata Of
hot and cold air are unstable and cause change
able weather. while If they are deep and
therefore, relatively stable existing conditions
are likely TO continue. This IS only small step
II the direction OF seeking information from the
upper currents When observations are made
simultaneously at twenty different stations
throughout the country at all elevations under
fifteen miles new facts likely to be devel-
oped that viii make pr ent forecasts appear
obtained
Hitherto knowledge Of temperature, pressure
humidity and wind velocity and direction has
been based on observations made at the
surface Of the earth. This small layer of the
atmosphere Is most variable end untrustworthy
because 1t IS interfered with by every object
rising in its path, but upon its condition have
had to be based the considerations that have
heretofore figured in the weather forecasts. OBJ
viously II is unwarrantable to conclude that the
great mass Of air Is following courses indicated
by the strata resting upon the earth. and 1t Is
now being demonstrated at Mount Weather that
currents or air observed from ballon are en-
trely different from those observed from a
mountain peak at similar height
The problem of lifting instruments TO great
heights that temperatures velocities and direc-
tions Of wind might be recorded, IS one upon
which scientists have worked diligently for the
balloons and kites carrying special instruments
Of minute weight The small rubber balloons
eight or ten feet IN diameter. have been found
the most successful and these are now being
manufactured especially for the Mount Weather
station. With these the greatest elevations have
been easily reached, 1t being nothing unusual
for records to be taken at elevations ranging
from ten TO fifteen miles. These tests often re-
cord great wind velocities and temperatures as
low as 100 below zero when conditions are at the
normal on the earth's surface. For heights Of
Two 10 three miles kites are preferable TO bal
looms when there is wind enough to lift them
but when it is calm. or for great heights re-
course must be had 20 balloons