Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-27
FRANCE AND BELGIUM
CLIMATE AND SEASONS


The following article consists of ex-
tracts from a statement on climate of
France and Belgium by Mr.. Preston c.
Day, chief of the Genealogical Di-
vision of the Weather Bureau:
The present interest of the people Of
the United States in matters pertain
ing to Europe has extended to ques-
tons of climate and the probable ef-
feet of the weather on the health and
comfort of those who have been or who
may be called for service in France and
Belgium.
France and Belgium together occupy
that portion of the western coast of
europe extending from north latitude
AZ degrees, 20 minutes to 81 degrees, 20
minutes, which corresponds nearly to
the portion OF the American coast ly-
ing between Boston and the northern
end Of Newfoundland Marseille. the
most sOutherly important city of
France, is farther north than Boston
while Paris is nearly SOC miles farther
north than Chicago. Brussels, in lati-
tude 80 degrees, 81 minutes, is more
than so miles farther north than Win
nipeg Canada, or in the same latitude
as the southern portion Of the Hudson
Bay.
Warmed by Ocean Breezes.
France and Belgium, located as they
are, in the region of the eastward drift
of the atmosphere, afford in their eli
mate an excellent example of the mod
flying influence eXerted upon land
areas by the proximity of large bodies
of water to their western borders.
The outstanding features of the tenn
perature of the countries Of western
Europe are the comparatively warm
winters for such high ATTITUDES and
the relatively cool summers. Along
the coasts of northern France and of
Belgium temperatures are very similar
to those experienced on our own north
ern Pacific coast, the average month
Iy temperatures at Dunkirk, France,
and at Seattle, Wash, being identical
for nearly half the months of the year,
and differing only slightly for the
other months Farther south over the
Atlantic coast districts of France the
temperatures throughout the year re
semble those Of the coasts Of southern
Oregon and northern California, and
during the winter months the aver
ages are not materially different from
those Of the Carolina and Georgia
coasts.
Weather by Seasons.
FROM the STANDPOINT OIL DOQlly COIU-
fort, the climate of northern France
and Belgium may be briefly summar-
lied as follows: The winter weather is
rather rigorous and unpleasant, due
to the persistence Of comparatively low
temperatures, much cloudiness, and
frequent rain and snow. The winds
blow mostly from the west or south
west and are frequently damp and
chilly, the relative humidity being
rather high. The winter nights are
long and the days correspondins!y
short.
With the transition wrom winter into
spring, the rapid warming up familiar
to residents in most sections Of the
United States is not so noticeable in
France and Belgium, the average tenn
perature for March being only 2 de-
grees to 4 degrees Fahrenheit higher
than for February.
The summers are pleasant as COM
pared with much of the United States
the day temperatures being mostly
moderate and the nights cool. Occa--
sionally hot weather is experienced,
but the heat is not excessive and the
heated periods are usually Of short
duration. During the latter part of
June the days in northern France and
Belgium are more than 16 hours long,
the sun rising a littl eearIier than
O.. M, and setting after p. m.
Fall also is usually pleasant, espe-
cially during September and October.