CLIMATOLOGY. The report on this subject last year, as a part of the report of vital statistics, sought to present for permanent reference the ground on which the study of local conditions of climate must rest. In the article on comparative facts in climatology and geology, as needed in the study of vital statistics and the causes of disease, the important facts thus needed as to New Jersey are stated. This year we complete the full statement of data for five years as to those Stations which are taken to represent the different parts of the State. By reference to these and to former reports all the material is found by which local calculations and comparisons with deathrates can be made. The places relied upon for our reports are as appears in the tables and in the sixth report. The tables for Cape May, Barnegat and Sandy Hook were kindly furnished by the Signal Service. The records of New York City, Philadelphia and Easton also admit of comparisons. We are, as before, indebted to the following observers: I. Newton, Miss E. Foster. II. Paterson, J. T. Hilton, C.E. V. Freehold, Chas. F. Richardson, A.M. VI. Vineland, John Ingram, M.D. VII. Cape May and Barnegat, U. S. Signal Service. VIII. Sandy Hook, U. S. Signal Service. These tables are deserving of the closest study for the five years, as giving a fair outline of what indicates the weather of each locality. The wonderful range of climate which the State affords cannot but attract attention. There is no other State in the country that affords, Extremes.. in the same area, so remarkable and ascertainable a diversity. Thus, those who may have occasion to choose climates suited to particular conditions, may here find the climate of the North, that of the extreme South, and such variations as are afforded by soil, protection and special locality. CONDENSED METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS FOR FIVE STATIS TICAL YEARS. Quinquennial Summaries from July 1st, 1878, to July 1st, 1883, to which is appended a Climatological Table of Means for the State of New Jersey. STATION, NEWTON, N. J. Latitude, 41° 2' 45' N.; Longitude, 2° 19′ 48′′ E. Height of Barometer Cistern above Sea Level, 660 feet. 1878-79... 1879-80. 1880-81. 1831-82. 1882-83. 29.968 23.138 29.287 92.0 -5.0 48.55 41.83 75.49 S. W., N. W. 13.92 S.W. -7.9 48.94 48.93 68.53 N.W..S.W. -6.8 52.44 47.69 72.83 S.W. 0.2 50.06 46.03 73.11 S. W., N. E. ? 36.0 83 111 C 11 30 25 S.W. 28.8 48.93 114.2 128.6 16.8 115.234 244.65 571 64.3 84 Mean for 5 years. 29.970 28.379 29.362 95.62 -2.9 50.79 46.66 72.49 99.0 -7.9 *Including melted snow. ? No observation. Record incomplete. REMARKS.-Atmospheric Pressure-The highest daily mean of the barometer occurred in January, 1881. This locality is not affected by areas of high pressure for a longer period than thirty-six hours. Very low depressions do not occur more than four times in a year, and the most rapid changes in winter are not always accompanied by high winds. The months of January, February and March show the widest range. October to May, 1881-2, show a range greatly in excess of the mean. Temperature-The months of November and February are the ones most frequently marked by sudden changes. The extremest changes do not occur within a shorter period than six hours The mean daily range of the above period is 15.90. Highest monthly range was 660, in April, 1881, being 130 above the mean for that month. August has been the most equable month of all the years. Humidity-The high humidity of the autumn months causes the first half of each statistical year to show an excess of 3 to 14 per cent, over the latter half. Fogs are mostly the habit of the October, January and February months, those in winter occurring at night. STATION, CITY HALL, PATERSON, N. J. Latitude, 40° 55' N.; Longitude, 74° 11′ W. Height of Rain Gauge above Sea Level, 142 feet. OBSERVER, JOHN T. HILTON, CITY SURVEYOR. Max. Min. Reduced to 320. Mean. Extremes *Including melted snow. 98.0-6 0 REMARKS-Temperature-January-May, 1880 and 1881, had an extremely wide range. Highest monthly range was in May, 1880, 650, being 160 above the monthly mean. Rain-fall-The rain of March, 1881, amounting to 16.11 inches, took place at a period when the ground was frozen solidly, and quickly disappeared through the water-courses, hardly moistening the surface of the earth. The drought of 1881 is attributed to the unequal distribution of the rain-fall. During July, August, September and October, there were 98 days on which no rain fell. In September, 1882, occurred the memorable freshet, during which 18 inches of water fell in less than three days. Paterson has an exceptional topographical position as regards the quantity of water that falls on the basin it occupies. 38.75 130 73.185 59.50 120 62.495 43.95 117.8 312.475 219.75 589 STATION, NEWARK, N. J. Latitude, 40° 44′ N.; Longitude, 74° 10′ W. Height of Barometer Cistern above Sea Level, 35 feet. *Including melted snow. REMARKS.-Atmospheric Pressure-The annual variations have been slight. 1878-79 had the widest monthly range. The range for June and August, 1879, was greatly in excess of the mean. Temperature-The mean daily range for the above period is 17.40. Greatest monthly range was 610 in May, 1880, being nearly 90 above the monthly mean. September, 1881, recorded a maximum of 100.50 and a mean of 73.720. The months of the fourth statistical year show the least deviation from the mean range. 1878-79.. 1879-80.. 1880-81. 1881-82.. 1882-83. Mean for 5 years. Sums STATION, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FARM, NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J. Latitude, 40° 29′ N.; Longitude, 74° 26'′ W., or 2° 37′ E. OBSERVER, THEODORE WEST. Height, 115 feet. Extremes........... *Including melted snow. 103.0-8.0 REMARKS-Temperature-The winter months show wide ranges. The winters of 1878-79, 1880-81, and 1881-82, were more severe than usual. That of 1880-81 began in November and continued 153 days, of average temperature of 29.20, (November 22d, 1880, to April 23d. 1881.) Heavy snowfalls; good sleighing for six weeks Spring of 1879 marked by great changes of temperature. Greatest monthly range, 610, in May, 1880-8.60 above the average. Rainfall of winter and spring, 1880, much below the mean. Autump, 1881, noted for its long and severe drought. There was a high percentage of easterly winds in July, August, September and October, 1882. STATION, FREEHOLD, N. J. Latitude, 40° 15′ N.; Longitude, 74° 16′ W. Height of Barometer Cistern above Sea Level, 216 feet. REMARKS.-Atmospheric Pressure-The mean monthly range of the barometer is low. October to May, 1881-82, show a range siightly in excess of the mean. Temperature-Excepting July and August, all the months have a wide range. The highest monthly range was 630 in May. 1880, while the greatest excess of the mean range was in December, 1880, being 10,40 above the average. There has been a notable increase of the rain-fall in the winter months. |