Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-27
MANY LIVES SAVED BY
WEATHER FORECASTS
Bureau Emphasizes Impor-
tancc of Atmospheric Dis
turbances in Daily Life.
SERVICE IS ESSENTIAL
Notices Tint Hurricanes md Violent
Tropichi Storms Arc Pending Save
Heavy Losses md Great DISASTERS
to Shipping interests.


ia Shipping interests.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 26-Thc inn
rortance of weather changes and of
the various atmospheric disturbances
IN tho daily life OF the people OF the
country is emphasized by tho Weather
Bureau of the United States Depart
mGnt OF Agriculture i'm the annual
report recently issued.
The usual weather forecast service,
which is familiar TO everyone, is con-
tnUcd regularly from wear to year
with certain new phases Of weather
work which have been developed re-
Gently. The increase in aviation is
making growing demands for service
and advice. There is also Il CALI for
data and certihcation Of facts with
reference to storm, weather and rain
insurance: for reports on the inilu-
oncc OF weather upon public high
ways; for extensions of It's various
services In reporting frostS. cold
waves and hurricanes. According To
the report, the weather service and
advice carry with them an Immediate
and direct economic benefit In the
saving Of lives, property and food
stuffs for the nation. Many accidents
in acronautics have resulted directly
from lack of sufficient forek nowl-
edge OF conditions along the Gus
,omary air ways The Weather Blu
rcau is the agency charged by law to
perform this new service and n skeie
ton organization is now in operation.
Heavy LOSSES Prevented.
Hurricanes and violent storms
sometimes bring heavy losses and
rUif and alarm to residents OF that
whole coast. At such times tho
Weather Bureau and it's field stations
are overwhelmed with applications
for Information. Adviccs sent ont
allav the fears of some and quite
needless alarm of others. and guido
many 10 make timely escapes In
threatened localities or TO take pre-
cautions TO minimize tho destructive
effects of tho storm which cannot be
ESCAPED. Vessels while still ut sen
now frequently receive radio warn
inrs days beforehand and are able to
shun the zones Of storms. Warnings
OF frosts, cold waves. billiards. and
such weather conditions that are apt
to he damaging To foudstuffs In ship
Tcnt arc OF immediate money benefit.
The great value of weather fore
casts 10 aviation Is now fully recog-
nizcd and various organizations IN
tcrested in commercial dying now re-
Cc!ve forecasts similar to those that
are supplied 10 the air service OF tho
Army. Navy and Post-Ofhcc Depart
ments. Individual flyers also receive
personal information and advice be-
fore beginning flights. often by tele-
phone
Aids Forest Protection.
y very important service is the
supplying of frc-wcathcr forecasts
which are sent out TO fire wardens
and forestry associations whenever
conditions are favorable for forest
fires or for their control after having
been started. In the summer ana fall
there was 4 long dry spell in the
Northwest and forecasts issued on
this occasion We're OF great value In
the protection OF forest areas in Mon
tana and Minnesota. The vessel
weather service. crippled by the war.
has now been largely restored and is
more efficient than ever. There are
now practically 100 vessels that
photograph weather conditions AT least
once a day when they are in certain
areas. Cooperative arrangements
have now been made with the Ship
ping Board and hereafter when with
in certain ocean zones all ships will
photograph daily weather obscrva-
lions.
MISREPRESENTATION service has
proved to lie popular and applica-
10
many parts OF the country. The great
increase In traffic on highways makes
necessary an efficient and compre
h.msive system of reports concerning
road conditions as affected by past
ana future weath1s.. At present the
WORK Is confined. i3. ,pdth highways
ana TO comparatively few sections.
snow surveys Increased.
Irrigation and hydro electric in
forests have become very much tn
icTcs;cd in service that may be sup
piled by the bureau. but an Increase
IN the number OF snow surveys ard
an extension OF the work into the
highest mountains OF tho region is
required TO meet this need
one OF the surprises Of the report
is contained In The statement that
loo separate earthquakes strong
enough TO be felt h. the senses &C.
CURED during the last fiscal year.
Others viii probably hc just as sur
prtsed 20 learn that these students
81 weather and conditions that af-
feet il have decided that the hca
TdGiated from the sun does not nuc-
1raic from day 20 day. as some have
claimed although there may possibly
." small changes occurring over long
tunes Tho noticeable Irregularities
from day 10 day which som. obscr
FHtlnns nave seemed TO show appear
20 be- due 20 errors OF observation
caused chiefly ny the influence OF
The atmosrhcr" on the incoming
radiation. At the outer limits OF the
eartNs atmosphere the differences
from day to day, II measurable.
probably are not more than two or
three tcnths OF a per cent
---s -
WEST VIRGINIA MINE