426 



Eighth Annual Report of the 



servations made at Sandy Hook and Block Island, from 1881 to* 



18S6: 



The very considerable differences here shown between the tem- 

 peratures ipf February and August, especially at Sandy Hook, are 

 in part due to making the observations in very shoal water; but 

 allowing for this, the annual range is large as compared with that 

 of the open' ocean (usually between 5 degrees and 10 degrees), 

 showing the effect of the land winds upon the temperature of the 

 water. 



The inearest approach to a true maritime climate within the 

 territory of New York is to be found at the eastern extremity of 

 Long Island. The temperature conditions of this region may be 

 represented without much error by the average monthly values 

 obtained at Bl'ock Island (see table 2), twenty miles due east. 



These temperatures, although obtained at a distance of but fif- 

 teen miles from the mainland of New England, will be found to 

 follow quite cloisely the water temperatures previously given for 

 Block Island, and to share their moderate annual range. The 

 midsummer mean is, very nearly, that of Malone, at the northern 

 boundary of the State, while the temperature for January is be- 

 tween those of New York city and Washington. The equalizing 

 effect of the water is thus very appreciable, although far below 

 that exerted in the open ocean, or on the western shores of the 

 continents. A few examples lof true maritime climates in various, 

 latitudes are given for comparison. 



