WEATHER BUREAU. 69 



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STORMS. 



Altliouf^h only two or three storms of extraordinary character and 

 violence occurred. ( old Avaves, storms, heavy snows, frosts, etc., which 

 required the issuance of warnin<;s and advices, were in excess of the 

 averafje. It was a year of weather abnormalities which necessitated 

 extra vi<^ilance on the part of the forecasters. The f^eneral excellence 

 of their work is deservin<^ of commendation. 



The most notable storm was the hurricane that occuri-cd in Sep- 

 tember. It was first detected a little Avest of the island of Antif^ua on 

 September 2. It passed inland near Corpus Christi, Tex., on the 

 14th. A detailed description of this storm was published in the 

 Monthly "Weather Eeview for September, 1919. It was of excep- 

 tional Aiolonce. The barometer at the center Avas nearly the lowest 

 on recortl. and its path, after passinrr Key West, w^as abnormal. 

 From the time it passed Key "West until it struck the southern Texas 

 coast its course was entirely over water and was beyond the rano;e 

 of all land observation stations. Owin^ to the effectiveness of the 

 warnin<»s that were issued few vessels remained in the Gulf of 

 Mexico; therefore wireless reports from vessels were not available, 

 and the forecasters of the Bureau Avere placed at a disadvantai^e in 

 determinin<z its course and projrress. 



The most violent storm that has visited the Great Lakes, measured 

 by low barometric pressure and hijrh-wind velocities, occurred 

 November 29 and 30. Warninojs were issued well in its advance. 

 The Avinds reached hurricane force, velocities of 72 miles per hour 

 at Port Huron, 84 miles at Detroit, and 80 miles at Buffalo and 

 Toledo beinp: recorded. HoweA^er, so thoroughly had shippincr been 

 warned that there was not a single marine casualty — probably an 

 unprecedented occurrence for a storm of such magnitude and 

 intensity. 



Another storm of unusual intensity passed up the Atlantic coast 

 between February 2 and 8. Its outstanding characteristics Avere its 

 slowness of movement, being nearly stationary off the Virginia coast 

 for nearly Iavo days, and the record-breaking tides that occurred. 

 A unique incident of this Storm Avas that the Weather Buieau Avas 

 al)le to profit by its oAvn Avarnings. Its observatory building at 

 Cape Henry, Va., Avas seriously menaced by the high tide and en- 

 croaching waves, but advantage Avas taken of foreknoAvledge of 

 conditions and the building was saA'ed by the erection of sand-bag 

 bulkheads, in Avhich work the officers and men of the Army Engineer 

 Corps located at Fort Story, near by. rendered invnlnable assistance. 



HIGHWAY WEATHER SERVICE. 



No material changes AA-ere made in the higlnvay Aveather service 

 during the yeaj-. This Avas due entirely to the fact that funds Avere 

 not available, and that station officials Avere repeatedly informed that 

 no extension of this work could be made if it inA^oh'ed increased ex- 

 ])ense of anv kind. Bulletins giving information of the conditions 

 of roads, tlie effect of Aveather thei'con, and other information of 

 value to automobilists and those engaged in the transportation of 

 goods by truck= are issued from 02 stations located in 30 States. 



