264 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW SEfTEMBER 1941

TABLEP.-Znstriit~ic.rifal data __~ __

ppley E. m. f. per Zesist Station Under direction of- yrlieli deflectionFull-scale meter rramralorie ance, Registers 'esist-l 1 Notes mbei niv. ohms

1. Fairbanks, Alaska ...... U. 8. Weather Bureau ...... 235 7.16 84. 8 Engelhard...... 151 3Oma ..... Number unknown. (C. I. C.)

2. Lincoln, Nrbr.~...... do ...... 2913 1.3%-I. 404 33.0 Leeds9: Northrulv ...... ~ .~ ~ 4 mv.. ~.~. Nornial incidence alsn. (C. I. C.) 3. Madison, Wis~...... do ...... 359 1. 674-1. a9 36.0 .... do ...... 1 I11L7~~~~~.~~DO. 4. New York, N. Y~...... do^ ...... 191 5. 5SS5.658 M.2 Engelhard, 30~9...... 137 27.6 ma . ~ Hegisternerdsreplacing. (C. I. C.) 5. Washington, D. C...... U: 8. Weather Bureau, -4mer- 44i 1. SY2-1.916 37.0 Rristol. model 527, serial 567 ...... 4mv...... Dr. E. W.Enpel. wan University. Engelhard, 27346 ...... 6. Albuquerque, N. niex .... U. S. Weather Bureau,airgort. 316 s. 7(I2-5. s.15 113.0 132 2s. 6 ma. .... Engelhard soon to be replaced with potentiometer. 6a. Albuquerque, N. Mex.. -.-.do ...... 656 1 4% .... Leeds si Northrup ...... (Should be installed by end 111 1Y41.\ 7. Fresno. Calif ...... U. S. Weather Bureau ...... 223 7. 16&. 7230 82. 8 Engelhard,26209. .. 134.3 30.8...... Excellent station. 8. , Ill ...... do ...... 358 Y. 4R0 111.0 Engelhard. 272X.. ..139.5 50.4...... Engelbard needs replacin-. 9. Bismarck. N. Dah ...... do...... Station to he oiiened shortly. 10. Nashville. Tenn ...... Do. 11. Miami, Fla ...... -..do ...... Do. 12. San Juan, P. R ...... U. S. Weather Bureau, Purrto 415 1.110 36.0 Modified potentiometer...... Dr. (3.W. Kenrick. Rico. 13. Ithaca, N. Y ...... Cornel1 University ...... 295 1. 513 30.0 Leeds si Northrnp ...... Dr. A. S. Heiuicke, department ol pomology. 14. Riverside, Calif ...... University of California 301 1.35-1.403 34.0 Enpelhard, 30749...... 172 14.7 ma ...... Pr. E. R. Parker. citrus statibn. 15. Twin Falls, Idaho ...... U. S. Bureau of Plant In: 3W 8.961-u. 084 111.0 25166...... 129.7 24.'~nia ...... Station in very poor shape- dustry. should have new instrinnents. 16. Blue Hill, &€ass ...... Harvard ...... 498 1.670-1.603 Leeds & Northrup, 551.W...... 2.8 mv~..... Alternate recorders now and then. Pr. Charles F. Brooks. 17. State College, Pa ..... State College ...... (?, 0. 662 (?) Lee& si Northrup rircular ...... Pr. H. Landsberg. Pvrbeliometcr sheets. has had new cover: very inpffi- cient outflt. 18. New Orleans, La ...... Tulane University...... ( ?) R. 051-S. 103 (?) Leeds 9: Northrup, SO div., ... $5 hour lines. 19. La Jolla, Calif ...... Scripps 1nstit.ute of Owan- 335 7.554-7.656 Englehard- ...... 30.6 ma ...... Dr. Qeorge F. hIcEaen ography, University of Cali- fornia.

20. Torrey Pines, Calif ...... U. S. Bureau of Plant In- 518 8.035-5.112 Lreds 8- Northrup.. ~ ~.~ ~ ... 16. mv ...... Dr. L. A. Rich;irdb. dustry. ii 21. Indio, Calif ...... do ...... 519 7.903-7. 968 .. ..do ...... 16 mv...... Dr. L. A. Richards or Ur. Aldrich. 22. Washington, D. C ..-.. National Bureau of 8t.andnrds. 3b7 s. 36 ...... do ...... (?) Pyrheliometers need restandardiz- ing. 50-junction. 23. Wasbingtou. D. C ...... do ...... 393 1.8s ...... -..do ...... (1) 10-junction. 24. Fridny Harbor, Wzsh... University of Washington, 262 R. 71 ..... Engelhard...... Dr. C. L. Ut.terback. Suggested Seatt1e;Wash. that t.hey have their pyrheliom- eter leveled. No reply. 25. Newport, R. I ...... Eppley Laboratory...... 362 1.5S9 ..... Various potentiometers ...... Mr. Roy Anderson, nlauaeer, or 435 1.3K2 hfr. William R. Gray. 389 7. B%5 381 7.<&n 26. Cambridge, Mass...... Massachusetts Institute of 434 a. 59 Technology.

TROPICAL DISTURBANCES OF SEPTEMBER 1941

By HOWARD c. ~UMNER [Weather Bureau, Washington, October 19411 The first tropical disturbance of the 1941 hurricane sea- accompanied by a force 8 wind (Beaufort scale), came from son appeared in the northern Gulf of Mexico on the eve- ,z ship near 28O06' N., 90O18' W., on . ning of . This is the first t8iinein over 35 On tlie coast the highest wind velocity registered was years that the North Atlantic area has been free from 31 miles per hour froin the east at, Port, Arthur and tlie tropical disturbances until so late in the sensoil. Annutil lowest barometer 1,007.5 rnillibars (29.f5 inches) at 4:30 records, from 1887 lo the present time, show that only on p. in. (C. S. T.) on the 14th at the same station. Rainfall two other occnsions have tropical storms failed to develop for the 2-clay period (14-15) at Port Arthur wns 1.52 before the 11th of Septeniber. Jn 1907 and 1914 the first inches. tropical disturbances of the season were observed on Sep- l'his disturbnnce wis sufficiently threatening on the 13th tember 16 and , respectively. for warnings to be issued to people in low-lying areas; but After the unusunlly late start, four disturbances clevel- during the last 24 hours before it crossed the coast it oped in rapid succession, between September 11 and 23, clecreasecl greatly in intensity and no property clamage or two of which were :~ccompnnieclby winds of full hurricane injuries were reported. force. The last three of these disturbances were in prog- Sepfember 18-W6.-This 1iurric:ine was first noted :is B ress at tlie same time, with advisories being issued siniul- disturbance of slight iiiteiisity about IS0 miles south of taneously by the supervisiiig centers n t W>ishington,New Port Ends, La., on September 1s. For 4s hours the center Orleans, and San Juan. drifted graclunlly southward toward the Yucatan coast September 11-15, 19,$1.--A Gulf disturbance of slight with winds increasing to gde force. During the night of intensity appeared on the niorning of September 11, :ind -21 the storm turned, and moving northwird was centerecl at 7 a. ni.' about 120 miles southeast of Port retmcecl its path until, on the evening observation of the Eads, La. The center niovetl very slowly in ri west- 21st, it was again near the region where first detected. northwesterly direction toward the north Texas co:ist and It then took a northwestw-nrcl course through the western moved inland, between Galveston and Port ,4rthur, the Gulf of Rlesico and moved inlnncl on the Texas co:tst near night' of September 14-15, resulting 111 n series of sqi1:111sat hiattigorcln at 3:25 p. m. (C'. S. T.) on Septeinber 23. Port Ar thir . A ship new 27'06' N., 93'43' W., on September 33 The lowest' barometer report,etl during the short hltiy reported n northeust wind, force 13, and ii low 1)nronieter course of this storm, 1,002.7 riiillihars (29.61 inches), reading of 985.8 rnillibars (29.11 inches). 1 Times mentioned are E. S. T unlvss otherwise indicated. On the coast, Texas City reported the highest recorded

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Unauthenticated | Downloaded 09/26/21 02:42 AM UTC SEPTEMBER1941 . MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW 265 wind velocity, 83 iiiiles per hour. Estiiiiated winds up to Along tlie path of this storm from Septenibcr 20 to 33 100 miles per hour came from several points nearer the several ships reported winds force 11, with the lowest stonii center. barometer observed, during this period, 995.3 niillibars The following excerpts froin :i report by G. P. Rusmisel, (29.39 inches) at 30’00’ N., 70’10’ W. on . of the Galveston office, relate to conditions at that sta t’1011 ,4 ship bound froni Curacao to New York had two during the approach nnd passage of tlie storm: eiicouiiters with this storm; first, near 30’11’ N., 71’45’ W. on the morning of September 20, when at 4 it. ni. a low There was little characteristic sky appearance prior to the ad\ ent bnronieter of 1,006.4 millibars (29.72 inches) was recorded, of the storm, the sky being mostly clear until lower cloudh appeared suddenly between G and 7 a. ni. C. S. T., on the 22d with alto- and again 2 days later near 34’13’ N., 75’09‘ W., with the cuniuliis and alto-stratus overcast showing through breaks OC- barometer falling to 1,004.7 millibars (.29.67 inches) at casiorially during the day. By late afternoon of the 22d the sky S p. in. on . During the interval between became coinpletely overoast with lorn clouds of bad weather which these observations the center of the storin, which during predominated throughout the remainder of the storm. * * * Tides had been somewhat above normal at Galveston since the minor the first encounter had been moving eastward south of the dibtirrbance of September 11-15 and began to rise again on the vessel, turned in its track aiid overtook the ship from the 21st, and more rapidly to a crest of G.7 feet at 8 p. m. and 10 p. 111.. southeast (track 111, chart 1). Force 8 winds were C. S. T. on the 22d, then falling to 5.0 feet at 1 p. m. of the 23d. encountered on both occnsions. Tides rose again thereafter to a crest of 7.0 feet at 9 and 10 p. in. C’. S. T. on the 23d, after which they subsided rapidly. * * * Late on t81ie 22d tlie storm recurved to tlie northeast- The sea was rather light at about 10 smells per minute until the wnrd in about 33’30’ N., 74’00‘ W., passing about 150 storm moved toward the Texas coast, after which an increase set in miles east of Hntterns, itntl dissipated in tlie western North becoming very heavy and reaching 5 swelb per minute at the height Atlantic on the 26th. of the storm. * * * Tidewater covered all of the Galveston Island beache\, iiiuch of This storni difl not clevelop hurricane intensity but was tlie island beyond the seawall, aiid entered the lower residential attentled by strong winds rtiicl gales which caused con- and Ilusiness sections as backwater from the hay. * * * Tidewater siderable delay in North Atlantic shipping. also covered the municipal airport to a depth of approximately 1 to 3 feet and was about G inches dee on the floor of the airport ad- Timely small craft warnings kept small boat’s along the niinistration building and in the 8 A. A. communications station coast out of danger. No destructive winds occurrecl on room, putting that office out of comniission until after the Rater la11 (1. receded and power and telephone service was restored the eveiiing Sfptumber RSSO.-This storm was first noticed as a of the 25th. very slight disturbance about 75 miles northwest of Recurving to the northeastward after crossing the Barbados in the enrly afternoon of . Moving Texas coast the storm center passed sliglitly west of itlniost due west it passed slightly south of St’. Luciit niicl Houston. Tlie lowest pressure registered along the path ht80the Caribbean Sea, wliere it quickly developed hurri- of the hurricane, 970.5 millibars (28.66 inches), wns ob- c me in t eiisity . served at Houston Airport at ll:08 p. ni. of the 23d. Tlie On the morning of the 25th tlie Iiurricane-buffetecl passage of the low pressure was accompanied by winds freighter m. s. Ethd Skakel flashed R “sinking” message estimated at 75 miles per hour; a recorded velocity be- from 125 niiles north of Arubfi, Dutch West Inclies, aiid coming impossible because of power failure. later went down with her cargo of steel rails near 14O Tu’., Progressive movementmof tlie storm increased rapidly 70’ W. Of the crew of 33 men, only 13 were reported :is the center moved up the Mississippi Valley aiid passed rescued, the other 20 being presumably lost. over the Canadian boundary in the Lake region. Two ot,lier vessels sent distress signals froiii locutions Available sources estimate property damage at well near the path of tlie storm, one of which wt~later reported over $2,000,000. Tlie rice crop in the region affected was lost, with her entire crew of 27 nien. ruinecl, nnd has been estimated as a loss of, $4,000,000. Tnking a course slightly iiortli of west tlie storni then About 25 to 30 percent of the cotton crop had been niovecl across t81iewestern Caribbean and by the morning picked in this section. Half of that remaining in tlie observation of the 27th was centered in the vicinity of fields has been reported lost. Cape Gracias, Nicaragua. Warnings on this storm were given the widest possible Through the court,esy of Jose Carlos Rlillas, Director dissemination by rnclio, press, telegraph, and t’elephoiie. of t8heNntionnl Observatory at , Cuba, the follow- As a result of these warnings an estimated 25,000 persoiis ing report has been received: left their usual place of abode for safer surroundings. Toclay (Octoher l),we have been able to establish contact nith The smaller towns along the coast were practicnlly tle- Cape Gracias. The town mas deqtroped and our station is prac- sertetl. It is noteworthy that, so far as is known, oiily tically lo5t. As I had adxised the Governor that the hurricane n~ouldpas5 through that place the day before, all the people fled, four lives were lost, either directly or indirectly, as a except 11, of nhich 3 mere drowned. The observer stayed until result of this storm which traversed a low-lying regioii 9:45 a. in. (of the 27th), at which time he sent hiz last message. where without warning thousands woultl liare heen left The ob

Unauthenticated | Downloaded 09/26/21 02:42 AM UTC 266 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW . SEPTEMBER1941 westward the disturbance decreased rapidly in intensity erty darnage for this storm is not available at this time, as it approached the Mexican coast, and moved inland, but since It was of hurricane intensity, damage in the for the third time, as a weak depression near Vera Cruz Central American countries affected was probably severe. on September 30. The tracks of these tropical disturbances of September Complete information regarding loss of life and prop- 1941 are shown on the accompanying chart.

NOTES AND REVIEWS

W. E. K~VOWLESMIDDLETON. Visibility in Meteorology. 2nd SVERRE PETTERSSEN. Introduction to Meteorology. New Yorh Edition. Toronto (University of Toronto Press), 1941. 165 pp., (MoGraw-Hill Book Co.), 1941. ix, 236 pp., 142 figs. 32 figs. This book is intended as an elementary introduction to The second edition of this monograph is a comprchen- general meteorology, for students without previous knowl- sive summary on the theory and practice of tlie measure- edge of the subject. No mathematics beyond an occa- ment of the visual range. It is still the only book devoted sional simple algebraic formula is used; arid the ele- wholly to this subject which, in some respects, has been mentary physics involved is cxplained in the text. The neglected in this era of expanded transport. emphasis is on synoptic and aeronautical meteorology ; The concisely and carefully written thcoreticnl portions but nearly all the more important topics of meteorology of the first edition have been largely retained in this new proper (i. e., exclusive of optical, electrical, and acoustic issue, with some small improvements in notation, and phenomena of the atmosphere) are at least briefly discussed. several important brief additions. Among the topics The opening chapters describe the general nature and discussed in the new material are the following: Variation structure of the atmosphere, and the principal types of of the extinction coefficient with visual range and with meteorological observations and instruments. A chapter size oI water droplets, for different colors; nature of is then devoted to evaporation, condensation, and precipi- atmospheric aerosols; properties of the eye in the light- tation, followed by two chapters on adiabatic processes in and dark-adapted states; and visual range in fog, and its the atmosphere and atmospheric stability. The next relation to water content. chapter discusses the processes by which transfers of heat The “practical” part of the first edition has been super- and changes of temperature are brought about in the seded by a largely rewritten version. In connection with atmosphere, and some of their effects-including modifi- this, a variety of telephotometers and transmission meters cation of lapse rates, occurrence of convection, thnnder- for measuring the atmospheric extinction coefficient are storms, fog formation, and ice accretion on airplanes. described. Great expansion in scope of the chapter A chapter on atmospheric circulation-winds, their relating to the estimation of the visual range in practice relation to pressure distribution and their variation with has enabled the author to present a comparative discussion height; the planetary circulation; turbulence; etc.-is fol- on various visibility scales, a matter of considerable lowed by two chapters on air masses and fronts, and a interest to those concerned with the technique of making chapter on cyclones (extratropical and tropical) and anti- observations for airway and synoptic reports. cyclones, with a brief allusion to tornadoes and water- A new chapter on “Forecasting the visual range,” and spouts. Tlic next three chapters are devoted to the a new appendix on “The visual range of coloured ob- drawing and analysis of synoptic maps, tind the forecast- jects” contain matcrial of great practical and theoretical ing of weather, in accordance with the most recent meth- importance. ods, illustrated by a number of actual examplcs. Revision of the book has increased its size bv 61 pages, The book concludes with a chapter on climate and the and the number of figures by 23. The extensive bibliog- climates of the carth, and one on the history of meteorol- raphy on visibility and pertinent additional topics given ogy. A list of recommended books for further reading, in the work now covers 342 items.-L. P. H. a few short tables, and an index are appended.

METEOROLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA FOR SEPTEMBER 1941 [Climate and Crop Weather Division, J. B. KINCERin charge] AEROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 5,000 meter levcl, a comparison of the 5 p. m. resultant By HOMERD. DYCK winds for September with the 5 a. m. normals shows that the late afternoon resultants were more southerly than Surface temperatures for September were above normal the corresponding morning normals at about half of the generally over the eastern half of tlie country and below stations for which these data could be compared. normal over the wwtcrn half with the exception of a strip It is interesting to note that the abovc-normal tempera- along the Pacific coast which recorded above normal tiircs in thc eastern half of the country were accompanied warmth. Plus departiires of from 4’ to 6’ F. wcrc by more southerly than normal wind resultants generally recorded in the southern Lakc region, the Ohio Valley and the below normal temperatarcs in the West coincided and Tennessee and the Middle Atlantic States, while with more northerly than normal resultants. Exceptions minus departures of from 4’ to 6’ F. uwc recorded in the to this correspondence are the strips along each coast. Great Basin. Resultant wind velocities at 1,500 meters were above At 1,500 meters above sea levcl the 5 a. ni. resultant normal over most of the country with the exception of the winds for September werc froin directions to tlie south of southern Plateau region and thc Middle Atlantic States, normal over most of the country cast of thc Rocky Moun- where they wrre slightly below normal. At 3,000 meters tains and north of normal at this level over the rcst of rcsnltant vcloci tiCs u-crc above normal except over the tbc country. At 3,000 rncters tlicl niorning rrwiltarit Lliddlc and South Atlantic Si at PS, wliilc at 5,000 meters minds were inore Jiorthorly than iiorniul along the hfitkllt. tht: 5 1’. 111. i.c>siiltant Ido(aitics \I wc highrr than the and North Atlantic coast anti west of the Rocky Moini- corresponding 5 a. m. normals ovw tlie same reeons. tains and more southerly tliaii normtil elsewlwre. At tlrr At 1,FjOO meters the 5 p. in. resultant winds for the

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