312 Ninth Annual Report of the 



waves preceding the 19th, so that, even in northern New York, 

 the ground was covered only during the last decade. The heav- 

 iest general snowfall occurred on the 30th and 3l8t. The num- 

 ber of wet days was greater than usual for December, while less 

 Bunshine obtained over the State than for any month sincn 

 November, 1892. 



The period from the 8th to 13th was like the Indian Summer in 

 southern New York and plowing was carried on to a considerable 

 extent. Ijakes and the larger streams were open in mid-channel 

 the entire month as far north as Lake George. Gales and driv- 

 ing snowstorms occurred about the 22d, 23d and on the 201h to 

 31st, in some sections, but little interruption to traffic rcrsulted. 

 A severe gale occurred along the coast on the lith. 



The weather in this vicinity was influenced by seven areas of 

 high and eleven areas of low pressure during December. The 

 fluctuations of pressure, and the resulting wea^her conditions of 

 the month, seem in an unusual degree to be the result of atmos- 

 pheric movements on the largest scale, tho pressure varying 

 rapidly over the entire continent, while local highs and lows 

 developed or dissipated as suddenly. The paths of the storms in 

 most cases were near or over this State; 4 of them approaching 

 from the southwest, 6 from the west, and 1 remaining on the 

 southern coast. The depressions which passed over or near this 

 State on the 5th, 15th, 23d, 30th and 31st, were strongly developed 

 cyclones, the remainder being of moderate intensity. The anti- 

 cyclones were of large extent and considerable intensity. Pass- 

 ing, as a rule, well to the northward, and thence spreading along 

 the coast, they gave marked depressions of temperature in this 

 section, alternating sharply with the warm waves due to the 

 lows. 



