416 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol 40 



METEOROLOGY. 



A much needed change of emphasis in meteorological research, W. S. 

 Franklin if". S. .l/o. Weather Rev., 1,6 (1918), No. 10. pp. .', ',:>- 458 i — This papei 

 sets forth especially the value of the statistical method of studying meteorology. 



It is stated that three fairly distinct objects are to be attained by statistical 

 analysis of weather observations: "(1) The determination of systematic vari- 

 ations in time and place. (2) the elaborate classification of Individual storm 

 movements with respect to a great number of measurable or specifiable char- 

 acteristics, and the establishment of statistical coefficients of correlation be- 

 tween the characteristics of a given type of storm on successive days so that 

 weather predictions can be made and qualified, as they should be, by probable 



departures and (3) the intensive study of weather conditions should lead 



to a clear recognition of critical conditions in a given storm movement (condi- 

 tions of static or dynamic instability) and make it possible to devise means for 

 controlling the storm movement by the suitable expenditure Of very moderate 

 amounts of energy at the critical time and place." 



Some correlations between the solar activity and the far eastern climates, 

 K. Skkiciiiii [Ab8. in Jour. Met. SOC. Japan, 81 {1918), No. ?. pp. 88-42, figs. 



3; I . 8. Mo. w rather Rev.. J,6 (1918). Xo. 9, pp. 418-415, fifft. 8). Correlations 



between sun spots and temperature, rainfall, and cyclones ate discussed. 



Clouds and their significance in local weather forecasting, A. H. Palmer 

 (/. 8. MO. Weather Her.. ',>; {1918), Xo. U. pp. \fft-418).- It is stated that 

 "everywhere within the United States, and particularly along the Pacific coast, 

 Clouds offer the forecaster a clue to the coming weather which can not well be 

 disregarded. . . . From a study of aimosl a thousand cloud observations made 



at San FrancISCO during nine years, it is apparent that the Significance of 



clouds regarding subsequent precipitation is worthy of the forecaster's atten- 

 tion, the significance Increasing as the height of the cloud decreases. The signi- 

 ficance regarding precipitation varies greatly with direction at all cloud levels. 

 For the highest clouds those moving from the southwest are most frequently 

 followed by rain; lor those of Intermediate levels tlx.se from the south are so 

 followed; while for the lowest clouds southeast is the direction of greatesi 

 significance, the probability of rain Increasing as the direction changes from 

 southwest to southeast, and the height of the cloud diminishes. As far as 

 temperature changes ate concerned, the significance of clouds is not great at 

 San PranciSCO. It is least with high clouds and greatest with low clouds, and 

 varies greatly with direction at all levels This fact is doubtless Influenced by 

 the semlmarine environment of the city." 



Monthly Weather Review t( . 8. Mo. Weather Rev., ','< {WIS). No$. 9, pp 

 401-444, pie. 10. fig*. 5; 10, pp. 445-496, pis. 9, fig*. 18). — In addition to weather 

 forecasts, elver and flood observations, and selsmologicaJ reports for September 

 and October, 1918; lists of additions to the Weather Bureau Library and of 

 recent papers on meteorology and seismology; notes <"i the weather of the 

 months; solar and sky radiation measurements at Washington, D. C, during 

 September and October, 1918; condensed cllmatological summaries; and the 

 usual climatological tables and charts, these numbers contain the following 

 articles: 



No. 9. — Wolfer Provisional Sun Spot Relative Numbers, bj H. 11. Kimball; 

 Halo Phenomena Observed during September. 1918, by W. K. iirr^: » apt. 

 Schroeder Establishes World Altitude Record (Aba.) ; Halo Observations at 

 York. N, V.. by M. N. Stewart; Clouds and Their Significance in Local Weather 

 Forecastiugs, by A. 11. Palmer t,see above); Some Correlations Between Solar 



