The Philosophy of the Weather. And a Guide to Its ChangesButler, T. B. (Thomas Belden)
Science
The Philosophy of the Weather. And a Guide to Its Changes
Butler, T. B. (Thomas Belden)
Weather; Weather forecasting
Doubtless the depression beneath the storm is found, and exterior lateral
elevations may also be had by _extending the line into the usual fair
weather elevation on each side_, as Mr. Redfield is obliged to do, to get
his supposed circle of winds at all. Doubtless, too, the seamen sailing
out of a storm, on either _side_, and approaching fair weather, will have
a rising barometer. But from _front to rear, on the line of progression_,
in tropical storms, the curve does not exist on shore, in this latitude,
oftener than in two, or possibly three, cases in ten; and then only upon a
single state of facts--that is, when there is an interposition of N. W.
wind; and this, at some seasons, rarely occurs. An elevation usually
occurs before the storm, on its front, if it present an extensive easterly
front, as one of these classes does, and a _depression is left_ after it
has passed off, unless a considerable body of N. W. wind interposes, as
heretofore stated. But when there is not such interposition of N. W. wind
(for W., W. N. W., or even N. W. by W. will not suffice), there is not an
immediate rise of the barometer corresponding in rapidity and extent with
the fall, and frequently none during the first twenty-four hours of
bright, fair weather. Let the reader, if he has access to a barometer,
note this fact, for it is obvious and conclusive.
Finally, there are other atmospheric conditions to which the barometric
changes are obviously due:
1st. The counter-trade is of a different _volume_, at different times,
over the same locality, and hence a difference in the normal elevations of
the barometer.
2d. It is at a different _elevation_, at different times, over the same
locality. It was so found by the investigations of the Kew Observatory
Committee referred to; has been so found by other aeronauts, and may
readily be seen by a careful, practiced observer.
It is highest, with a high barometer, in serene weather, when a storm is
not at hand; and can sometimes be plainly seen to ascend when a
considerable volume of N. W. wind is blowing in beneath, and elevating,
simultaneously, the trade and the barometer.
Opportunities occur every year, when the northern edge of the dissolving
stratus-cloud is attenuated, and the storm is clearing off in the N. W.,
with wind from that quarter, and a rising barometer, when its gradual
elevation may be observed to correspond with the _volume_ of that wind.
3d. During storms, with a low barometer, the _trade_ and the _clouds run
low_. This, too, is clearly observable, especially when the stratus-cloud
passes off abruptly, very soon after the rain ceases. In such cases the
barometer will remain depressed for a considerable time, unless another
storm supervenes speedily, or the wind sets in from the N. W.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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