Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-12-12

tlilc d~e@hoti0ns from tho flights is due
TO the varying heights reached and
to the differing weather conditions
under which they are made, il being
obvious that q direct comparison OF
atmospheric conditions. one day with
another, is not possible. unless daily
records are obtained from approx
mately the same levels. Notwith-
standing this the work Of aerial re-
search has already disclosed a number
of new and important facts.
Studies OF atmospheric electricity
and magnetism have been continued
along the lines heretofore pursued.
while h measurements OF the in
tensity of solar radiation n the per-
oentage OF polarization Of sky light
have been made at Mount Weather
and Washington as in previous years.
The solar radiation records during the
five years Of observation show mark
ed departures from the monthly and
annual mean rates, Just as similar
records at European o-bserVatories
during the past twenty-siN years also
chow marked fluctuations in this re-
spect. This study will be further pur-
sued during The coming year at four
or five additional stations, so located
as to be fairly representative Of the
the country.
Progress has been made toward in
stalling apparatus for the study of the
quantity of Vapor in the atmosphere,
and the investigation of the properties
cf different bodies as radiators and
as a~hsorhers Of radiation. The ques-
ton of the quantity of water Napor in
the atmosphere is Of sufficient i'm
portancc to justify attempts to de-
termine it, although the amount next
the earth's surface is SO strongly az
fected by purely local conditions that
its consideration in weather forecast
ing has long since been abandoned.
Articles discussing the theoretical
as well as the practical application
of the data obtained at Mount Wealth
er and other points appeared in the
quarterly bulletin of the Observatory
during tie year. While devoted prin-
cipally to the work at the observatory,
the columns of the bulletin are open
to contributions from scientists en-
gagged in corresponding lines of re-
search anywhere in the world.
Forecasts and Warnings.
The application of the Mount
Weather Investigations to practical
~fcrecasting at Washington continued
during the year, and has proved OF
material aid in increasing the accur-
acy and range Of the forecasts. a
few examples of possibilities in TINS
way viii serve to illustrate:
Sometimes g storm passes eastward
without being followed by expected
clearing weather, because a second
storm was developing off the middle
or south Atlantic coast. This new
deyelopment is not indicated by sur
face observations but the Mount
Weather flights show north winds a,
high attitudes in advance of such Tor
nation. Again, when an atmospheric
depression is approaching froms the
southwest. and the kite records show
winds turning to the right with as
cent, the usual warming up IN the
Atlantic states is retarded about "a
hours. Likewise, the turning OF the
winds to the left with ascent SHOWS
the depth of the cold northwest VINO
from which differences may be drawn
as TO the probable fall in temperature
az the surface Of the earth within h
ensuing twenty-four hours. The thick
ness Of the advancing stratus from the
or northwest also furnishes a
to subsequent temperatures;
shallow. the cold is neither Fe-
we're nor prolonged; but when the
stratum is thick and abnormally loW
temperatures are reported abort, n
cold will be Of marked intensity ana
will prevail several days.
The hurricane season OF the year
was marked by q number OF severe
tropical disturbances, but in every IN
stance warnings to shipping and other
interests were given efficiently IN
advance to enable them to take all
precautions These storms
comprise the Galveston hurricane OF
Julv 81, 1909. the hurricane that
struck the coast near the mouth OF the
Rio Grande on August u, 1909, the
tropical storm that reached the LOUIS
coast on September Il, l9OS,
the Key West hurricane of Oc-
tober II, 1909. That none was attend.
ed by loss OF life Is freely attributed
by the press and public to the ample
advance warnings of the bureau. ~
extended account OF the
West hurricane appeared in my
last report. in which il was shown that
the special efforts of the bureau were
successfully directed TO warning work
engaged in the extension OF the
Florida East Coast railroad, and that
about 1900 employees were Withdrawn
dangerous points as a result or
timely advices.
The cooperation Of steamship lines
been requested during the com
wear as an aid TO the ~forecaster
i'm predicting the direction OF move
ment and the intensity of hurricanes
in southern waters, through the re-
reipt of wireless reports from vessels
NAV encounter conditions tndl-
eating the presence OF a hurricane in
neighborhood. A circular was
also issued to storm-Warnlng distribut-
ng centers on the Atlantic and Gun
casts. having for it's object a revival
If interest in the bureaus system or
furnishing hurricane warnings TO peo-
Dle living in districts where unusually
.ieh tides would likely Il loss OF
life and property.
Forecasts for extended periods were
from time to time as 1ustlIied
w general weather conditions, n
the latter part Of March, 1910
eeular weekly forecasts for the Unit
"a states. together with a general re-
of the weather for the northern
hemisphere. have been issued. Gratl-
success has been experienced IN
he verification Of these forecasts, es-
when they ~betokened the
Dreaking up Of continued drought or
he approach Of cold waves or heavy
The distribution of the information
.ontained in the bureaus forecasts
md warnings has been effected, as in
PREVIOUS years. by telephone, tele-
and mail. and through the press.
rhe requests for additional weather
,eports by telegraph from the various
deserving stations we've unusually nu-
nerous. exceeding those for any single !
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