New York Weather Bureau. 435 



side, while in summer the temperature is about one degree in 

 excess of that on the bonder of Lake Ontario." 



The final descenit from the Western plateau of the State to the 

 level of LakeOntariioi is found in the "Limestone Ridge," an abrupt 

 declivity extending eastward from the Niagara river nearly parallel 

 with the lake shore at a distance of about ten miles. This ridge 

 breaks the force of southwesterly winds to some degree, and with 

 the added effect due to the convex form of the lake shore in this 

 locality, causes a more moderate winter climate in the northern 

 portions of Niagara and Orleans counties than obtains in their 

 central and southern sections. 



The lowlands included in the system of the Oswego river, lying 

 to the eastward of the Central Lakes, are more exposed to the 

 winds of the Great Lakes than to those from other directions^ and 

 hence may properly be included in the region of the Great Lakes. 

 The low and sheltered position of this tract gives it a high tem- 

 perature relatively to the ^surrounding country^ as shown by the 

 few observations of temperature which have been made at Syra- 

 cuse and other points witMn the region; and also by statements 

 received as to the short duration of snow in winter_, and the rapid 

 advance of vegetation in the spring. 



The Valleys op New York. 



The principal regions requiring mention here as deriving pecu- 

 liar climatic conditions from the form of adjacent land surfaces are 

 the Hudson, Champlain, St. Lawrence and Mohawk Valleys, and 

 the region of the Central Lakes. 



The Hudson and Champlain valleys, taken together, form a deep 

 channel, extending nearly northward from the Atlantic €oast to 

 the lower St. Lawrence valley; the total length of the depression 

 from the highlands of Rockland county to the northern border of 

 the State, being 27i0 miles. The valley is bordered on the east 

 by the Green Mountains of Vermont, and their southern branches 

 in western Massachusetts and Connecticut; and cm the west by the 



