MONTHLY SUMMARIES FOR SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, 1887, OF METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS MADE BY VOLUNTARY OBSERVERS.

Pennsylvania State Weather Service Bulletin for September, 1887.

HALL OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE,
PHILADELPHIA, October 1, 1887.

This summary of the meteorological reports of the State observers is not in the form or style intended when the organization is completed. From various causes many unavoidable delays have occurred, and it will yet take time to place the Service on the basis contemplated. In order that the meteorological data of the State may be thoroughly reliable, the best instruments have been secured, and special attention paid to their exposure. Every effort has been made to secure the coöperation of colleges and schools that students may have all the advantages possible for obtaining a meteorological education. Many of these have already made arrangements to aid in the work, and will soon furnish the Service with full reports. As their fall term did not commence till September, their observations for this month are incomplete. This work requires some practice before proficiency is acquired, and time must be given to attain it.

About thirty counties are now supplied with instruments of the Signal Service pattern, consisting of maximum and minimum thermometers, dry and wet thermometers, rain gauges and instrument shelters, and the rest are being provided for as fast as the instruments can be made and observers secured. Some displaymen have been obtained for the weather signals, and this portion of the work will soon be vigorously pushed forward. The territory to be covered is a large one, and all the aid possible is needed to secure desirable results.

It is not expected that the small appropriation by the State should enable the committee to display the signals throughout the counties. It is hoped that after the original display stations are established in each county, the people will organize and attend to the erection and maintenance of repeating stations, which, being for the benefit of the people of each county, ought to be at their expense.

Observers are particularly requested, when possible, to give all the data called for on the forms, and to complete and mail them as soon after the end of the month as is practicable, that the work of publication may not be delayed. As soon as the data will warrant it a larger review will be issued, which will contain all matters of interest reported. A regular commission, signed by the proper authority of the State, will be given to all observers whose reports, after examination, are found satisfactory.

Observers are requested to paste newspaper cuttings containing meteorological data in their original record books, under proper dates. The Committee on Meteorology of the Franklin Institute, W. P. TATHAM,

Chairman.

Remarks. The weather for September in Pennsylvania has been slightly colder than the average, and has ranged from nearly normal in the western portion to about 3° below in the eastern portion. The mean temperature for the State was 60°. This, as compared with last September, is between 4° and 5° lower.

About the usual differences have occurred between the tidewater sections and the elevated districts.

Rather more than the average amount of cloudiness has prevailed. The rainfall has averaged about three inches as a whole. The greatest rainfall reported was at West Chester, and amounted to 5.67 inches.

The heaviest rains occurred on the 10th and 12th, and were quite general throughout the State. Heavy rains were also reported on the 28th and 29th in the eastern counties.

The month has been less stormy than usual, and with a small proportion only of windy days. There has been no severe general storm attended with great changes of pressure and profuse rainfall in the eastern counties, as often occurs in September.

The barometer has ranged high, and the monthly mean is above the normal. The mean at Philadelphia being 30.110, Pittsburgh, 30.075, and Erie, 30.100.

While light frosts were reported on low lands during the first and middle of the month, vegetation was vigorous and generally uninterrupted, until it was suspended by the cold and frost of the 25th and 26th. At this time corn was everywhere fairly ripened, but tobacco, buckwheat and some vegetables were still growing.

These frosts were anticipated by the chief signal officer, and warnings were sent to the tobacco districts.

The wheat seeding season has been favorable, the ground in good condition, and the crop at this date fairly started. The late crop of hay is generally good in the eastern counties.

The fruit crops of the State are gathered so early that they are not subject to risk from frost, except in a few northern districts.

A slight earthquake shock was noticed on the first at Norristown, which was also reported felt at some points eastward. Lunar halos were noticed on the 3d, 6th, Solar halos on the 6th, 11th, 18th, 26th. the 6th, 7th, 11th, 13th, 18th, 22d, 29th, 30th. general, and at Shamokin and Dyberry was aurora was reported from Indiana on the 25th.

7th, 11th, 20th, 26th, 30th. Thunder storms occurred on That of the 7th was quite attended with hail. An

T. F. T.

Blair,

62.1

78.3

Montgomery,

85.0

7

39.0

Quakertown,

2244

46.0

4.78

Charles Moore, D. D. S.

Sergeant Signal Corps, Assistant.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE WEATHER SERVICE BULLETIN FOR OCTOBER, 1887.

HALL OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE,
PHILADELPHIA, November 1, 1887.

It will be perceived, on examination of the annexed monthly summary, that the number of observing stations has been increased to thirty-two this month, against twenty for the last, and that the summary now includes barometrical observations in certain localities.

As a general thing, the records appear to be carefully made, and it would tend greatly to the accuracy of the results if each observer would add up his columns and calculate the means. These calculations should be repeated and checked at the general office.

Several of the observers attach interesting and instructive notes of the condition of the crops as affected by the weather, and also of special phenomena. That these notes are valuable as a permanent record, will appear hereafter, and it is hoped that all of the observers may give them as fully as the space on blanks will admit. A review by each observer of the general results at his station for the month will add to the value of his report.

Observers will find it interesting to compare their results with those of other stations, and thus to establish their relative. portion for each month as respects the principal features of the weather.

Observers are particularly requested to give all the data called for on the forms, and to complete and mail them promptly, so that the publication may not be delayed.

The committee repeat the expression of the hope that the people of each county will organize for the purpose of flagging their county so as to convey promptly to all the farmers, the daily forecasts of the weather for the next twenty-four hours. A little reflection will show the necessity for this. The repeating stations do not repeat the signal for their own benefit, but for that of the people beyond them, who, in turn, pass their signals to their more distant neighbors.

Where some do the work and others reap the benefit, a system of proper compensation is necessary, and this can only be attained by organization.

For the committee on Meteorology of the Franklin Institute,
W. P. TATHAM,

Chairman.

TEMPERATURE.