Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-14
HURRICANE SEASON
NOW AT ITS HEIGHT
Weather Bureau Keeping a
Sharp Lookout in West
Indian Waters.

The season during which the eastern
coast of the United States Is liable 70
visitation from the class or severe
tropical storms known as West lnolan
hurricanes is now at its height Lne
period of their greatest frequency ex-
tends roughly from the beginning OF
July until the middle of November.
During the last thirty-five years about
IS per cent of these storms have oc-
Cured during the months OF August,
September and October-September
showing a slightly greater number
than any Of the others.
These hurricanes have their origin In
the tropical zone. They first move TO
the westward or northwestward in the
westward equatorial drift OF the at
mosphere. and after entering the east.
course to the northeastward. About
80 per cent originate in the area en-
bracing roughly the Caribbean sea, the
Gulf Of Mexico and the west IN
dies. The extent OF their westerly
course is subject to wide limitations.
some traversing the Gulf of Mexico
into Texas before recurring TO the
northward and eastward, while DINERS
fail entirely to reach the coast of the
recurve, however, is over the lower
portion of the Florida peninsula
Move About 500 Miles.
The average daily movement of West
Indian hurricanes is about 800 miles.
Their earlier progress is much slower
than that of storms in the middle lati-
tudes, but following the recurve an ad-
vance movement approximating that OF
the eastward drift at middle latitudes Is
attained. On the average they travei
about FIVE days before altering their
course to the northeastward, about TWO
days being the average period occupied IN
the recurve, after which they may con-
tinue for many days, some having crossed
the Atlantic ocean and passed into Eu-
rope.
Hurricanes are generally not more than
800 or 400 miles in diameter. A moderate
decrease in pressure Is observed to with
in forty or fifty miles OF the CENTER after
which a rapid fall takes place, which In
exceptional cases reaches 70 minimum
pressure of twenty-eight inches. or even
less. This area OF steep pressure gradient
is characterized by excessively heavy
rainfall and by destructive winds which
occasionally exceed velocity OF 1Oo
miles an hour.
Weather Bureau Keeps Lookout.
The weather bureau keeps sharp
lookout on weather conditions In west
Indian waters during the hurricane sea-
son, and follows closely the develop
ment and progress of hurricane as
soon as it has been sighted. Hurricane
warnings. consisting Of two red flags
with black centers, are disrAayed in adj
vance at seaportS, and daily or semi
daily bulletins regarding the location
and general character Of the storm are
given the widest possible distribution
by means of land telegraph. by cable,
and, probably the most important OF all.
by radiograms.
In this way precautionary measures
are taken along the probable route OF
the storm. and as result there has
been a great decrease in wrecks In re-
cent years, Notwithstanding the fact
that shipping has greatly increased.
Very recently efforts have been di-
rected by the weather bureau to per-
fectinR a system of radiograms. or wire
less messages. by means Of which re-
ports of wind, weather and pressure
condi lions are being received from a
number of vessels plying in the gulf
and Caribbean waters, and also from
about a dozen land stations that are
maintained by the weather bureau in the
west Indies The work thus being done
in OF greater Importance than ever be-
fore. In view Of the increase in ocean
traffic that is destined to follow the
opening of the Panama canal in the
near future.