1847.] 



Meteorological Observations. 



89 



Comparative table of mean monthly temperatures during five 

 years, compiled from observations made thrice daily, viz.. at 9 

 o'clock, A. M., 12 M., and 5 P. M. 



MONTHS. 



January, .. 

 February, , 



March, 



April, 



May, 



June, 



July, 



August, . .. 

 September, 

 October,. ., 

 November, 

 December, 

 Mean, 



1842. 



21.3 

 22.. 3 

 32.3 

 4S.3 

 56.7 

 66.9 

 72.1 

 72.4 

 69 8 

 59.9 

 50.1 

 31.1 

 50.2 



1843. 



25.2 

 19.9 

 31.1 

 50.9 

 55.8 

 63.9 

 6^.7 

 70.7 

 64.4 

 61.3 

 49.8 

 27.3 

 49.1 



1844. 



13.1 

 21.4 

 29.9 

 50.1 

 55.3 



1845. 



14.9 

 18. f) 

 24.7 

 49.2 

 5S.3 

 66.3 

 6S.8 

 72.3 

 63.9 

 53.9 

 48. 2 

 27.3 

 47.6 



1 46. 



23.8 

 20.0 

 30.3 

 51.4 

 54.4 

 70.1 

 71.8 

 76.7 

 65.3 

 59.1 

 49.9 

 29.0 

 50.1 



The average temperatures here given are doubtless too high, as 

 none of the observations were taken during the cool part of the 

 day. The results of a long series of observations made at the 

 Lowville Academy, (five miles north of the station where these 

 were taken,) in conformity to the instructions of the regents, gives 

 a mean annual temperature of about 42 degrees. 



Snow usually falls during November, and continues on till 

 April, having an average depth of about three feet during the 

 winter. The amount of rain and melted snow that fell at Low- 

 ville during fourteen years, averaged 34.95 inches. 



It will be observed that the prevailing winds are from the west- 

 ward; a direction at right angles with the range of our hills and 

 valleys, and indicating the action of diivant and general causes. 

 This prevalence of westwardly winds is sufficiently proved by the 

 general inclination of pine trees in the forests, and elm trees 

 growing in the open fields, which have almost invariably their 

 tops swayed over towards the east. But one occasion is remem- 

 bered during twenty years, in which a rain storm has come firora 

 the east. 



Snow and sleet not unfrequently come from that quarter in the 

 spring and fall, but rarely or never at other seasons of the year. 

 As a general rule, our rain storms are from the west and south; 

 snow from the north-west, and fair weather from the north. Rain 

 in summer is almost invariably from the west. 



Whether the deep snows which prevail in Lewis county, are to 

 be ascribed to its situation between two extensive forests, or its 

 relation to Lake Ontario being such as to receive the west winds 

 which sweep over it, cannot be determined until the forests are 

 cleared. Probably both of these causes influence the climate. 

 It has been noticed that less rain falls of late years than formerly, 



