56 Eighth Annual Report op the 



closing days of the month, however, were mild and springlike, 

 the snow disappearing rapidly in all sections, causing ice jambs 

 and freshets in the southern rivers. 



Twelve low pressure areas passed eastward in the vicinity of 

 the State during the month; a number considerably in excess of 

 the usual storm frequency for February. These disturbances 

 were generally strongly developed, bringing high winds and a 

 large precipitation, especially during the first half and at the 

 close of the month. Storm centres passed to the north of our 

 borders on the 1st, 5th, 10th, 24th and 28th, on all of which dates 

 the temperature was above the normal. Severe storms moved 

 along the coast on the 6th and 9th, and a third of lesser strength 

 on the 29th; while on the 13th, 15th, 19th and 24th depressions 

 passed centrally within the borders of the State. The period 

 from the 6th to the 13th was an exceptionally stormy one, begin- 

 ning with the hurricane and heavy rain due to the coast storm 

 of the 6th. This was closely followed by the cyclone of the 

 9th, which took a course nearly identical with the preceding, 

 bringing heavy snow and continued high wind; and succeeding 

 this, storms passing over Canada on the 11th and over south- 

 eastern New York on the 13th prolonged the gales and snowfall. 

 Traffic was seriously impeded in all parts of the State during this 

 period, and in some sections of northern New York and along the 

 lakes, railways were blocked by snowdrifts for several days. 



The number of well defined high i^ressure areas which influ- 

 enced our weather in February- was five, their maximum pres- 

 sures in this vicinity occurring on the 3d, 8th, 17th, 21st, 25th to 

 26th. The first and second highs were not strongly developed, 

 but the latter brought a considerable depression of temperature, 

 with fair weather on the 4th and 5th. The third anticyclone 

 originated in the extreme northwest on the 12tli, and while re- 

 maining nearly stationary for three days gained rapidly in in- 

 tensity. On the 16th it spread along the Canadian border, at- 

 tended by intense cold, which was felt in New York on the morn- 

 ing of the 17th. This area then moved to the northeastern coast, 



