16 Eighth Annual KEroRT of the 



York the temperature is often maintained at a point fifteen to 

 twenty degrees higher than occurs on the same parallel to the 

 westward of Lake Ontario. The winters become much more 

 rigorous in northern New York, where the air is, however, con- 

 siderably dryer, the relative humidity in the Champlain ^''alley 

 being lower than in any other section. The contrast of climate 

 between this region and that of the Atlantic coast is very marked; 

 an average difference of more than sixteen degrees obtaining be- 

 tween the northern border and eastern Long Island in winter. 



Divergencies even greater than the above are found in the dis- 

 tribution of rainfall, which however, occurs according to laws 

 which are characteristic of the various climatic regions. The 

 maximum precipitation over the central highlands, occurs in mid- 

 summer; on the greater part of Long Island in winter; while be- 

 tween these extreme epochs there is a definite gradation over the 

 intervening territory. A remarkable uniformity of rainfall 

 throughout the year is a characteristic of much of the Great Lake 

 region. The total amount of precipitation for an average year 

 also varies widely in different localities; the normal values at sta- 

 tions of Niagara county falling below thirty inches, while at some 

 stations of the Mohawk and Hudson valleys and the coast region 

 the total is fifty inches or more. 



The distribution of clouds over the State has been considered 

 as fully as practicable, but this subject still urgently demands 

 wider observation and study. An observer stationed high above 

 the earth would frequently see the cloud formation beginning 

 over the Great Lakes, and thence spreading across much of cen- 

 tral and western New York and the St. Lawrence valley; but 

 shading off toward the southeast, and to a considerable degree, 

 disappearing near the coast. Under other and less frequent con- 



