20 On the prevailing Stor?7is of the Mantic Coast. 



made to explain the manner in which storms hlowing from the norih - 

 east, should, at the same time, be found extending in that direction, 

 without visible cause, and in apparent opposition to their own forces. 



The unsatisfactory character of these explanatory theories has in- 

 duced the writer to pay some attention to the foregoing facts, and to 

 the other phenomena exhibited by the storms of our climate^ which 

 has resulted in an apprehension that the general causes and manner 

 of operation of these storms are not beyond the reach of investigation. 



The storms experienced in that portion of country bordering upon 

 the sea coar^t, and on the adjacent pnils of the Adantic ocean, are com- 

 monly viewed as forming two varieties, one of which is distinguished as 

 blowing from the north-eastern, and the otlier from the south-eastern 

 quarter of the horizon. These do not greatly differ in their ordinary 

 effects, although those from the north-east have usually a more pro- 

 longed duration, and exhibit a more sensible reduction of tempera- 

 ture. Some account of the phenomena and ascertained progress of 

 a south-eastern storm, which occurred in September, of the year 

 1821, may, in its leading features, apply to many other storms, and 

 will, it is believed, afford sufficient ground for the conclusions which 

 we shall attempt to establish. 



This storm, as experienced in the central parts of the state of Con- 

 necticut, commenced blowing violently from E. S. E. and S. E= 

 about six o'clock on the evening of the 3d day of September, having 

 been preceded by a fresh wind from the southern quarter, and flying 

 clouds. It continued blowing in heavy gusts, and with increasing 

 .fury till about 10 o'clock, P. M. when the wind suddenly subsided. 

 A calm or lull, of perhaps fifteen minutes duration ensued, which 

 was terminated by a violent gust from the north-west, which contin- 

 ued till about 11, P. M, and then gradually abated. Much damage 

 was sustained, and fruit trees, corn, he. were uniformly prostrated 

 towards the north-west. 



It afterwards appeared that the same storm was experienced, with 

 at least equal violence, at New York, about three hours earlier than 

 at the point before mentioned, but blowing from a more eastern quar- 

 ter, and terminating its ravages at about S, P. M. having also been 

 preceded by a hesh wind from the southward. That in the north- 

 eastern parts of Massachusetts, it was experienced some hours later 

 than in Connecticut. Thai nt Providence, in die state of Rhode Is- 

 land, where die memorable gale of 1815 had raged vvidi such terrific 

 fury, tl'.e sto)-m was felt Worn the soutli-etistern quarter, but not se- 



