46 GENERAL, EEMAEKS. 



The easterly winds proper to the forward half of these depressions 

 are accompanied by rain (or snow), which is liable to continue for 

 twelve hours succeeding the time of lowest barometer. The north- 

 west winds bring clear weather. 



On the east coast of Labrador westerly winds prevail during 

 the navigable season (July to November) ; consequently the sea is 

 then generally smooth, but easterly winds are preceded or followed 

 by a heavy swell. Westerly winds generally lull at night, and strong 

 breezes from any direction rarely last more than 1'2 hours before 

 September, when easterly gales occasionally continue for two or 

 three days. 



Strong northeasterly breezes often come suddenly without warning, 

 lowering the temperature 5° to 10° ; they generally last a short time, 

 but are occasionally the prelude to easterly wind and fog. On dark 

 days, with light breezes, ripples on the sea or fog rising to the north- 

 eastward sometimes foretell the approach of these squalls, which are 

 known to fishermen as northeast flurries. 



Thunderstorms occur at about the end of August or the early part 

 of September, but warning is given of their approach by heavy clouds 

 to the westward. 



Gales are stated to be frequent and very violent; they generally 

 commence at northeast, veer gradually to southeast, and thence rap- 

 idly through south, to west or northwest, in which direction they 

 moderate. Occasionally they subside in the same direction at which 

 they commenced. 



In Eclipse harbor, in July, a violent gale lasted 3 clays; commenc- 

 ing at southeast, it backed through north, to southwest; the gale 

 extended some distance southward. 



Calms are of short duration, seldom lasting more than a day. 



See meteorological table, page 49. 



Fog". — The air which lies over the Gulf stream, warm and moist, 

 being mixed by varying winds with the cold atmosphere over the 

 Arctic current, is chilled, and its moisture sometimes changes into 

 rain or snow, but more frequently into the dense fog so constant on 

 the Great bank, and on the south and southeast coasts of Newfound- 

 land. 



Fog occurs on the coasts of Newfoundland and coast of Labrador 

 throughout the year, but is most frequent during June and July ; it 

 is more prevalent on the south and east coasts than elsewhere, and 

 seldom extends far inland. It almost constantly prevails with 

 easterly winds; but it is not so frequent and is of short duration 

 with westerly winds. 



There is said to be frequently' a narrow passage of clear atmosphere 

 between the foe bank and the land. 



