78 OBSERVATIONS ON THE STORM OF DECEMBER 15, 1839. 



western side of the gale, suddenly, at 7, A. M., and the sun shone chiefly un- 

 obscured during the greater part of the day. 



The gale was severe over the entire surface comprised in the map, except, 

 perhaps, on its extreme northern and north-western portions, and excepting, 

 also, the lighter winds which were observed near the apparent axis of the gale, 

 in the region of Buzzards' and Cape Cod Bays, &c., in the afternoon and even- 

 ing. A very heavy fall of snow accompanied the gale in the states of Connec- 

 ticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine; also, in some 

 parts of New York and southern Vermont. Some snow also fell in the west- 

 ern and northern parts of New York and Vermont, but attended with more 

 moderate and variable winds, chiefly from the north and west. 



The south-westerly and southerly winds, which connect the south-easterly 

 with the westerly winds in the circuit of rotation, are found at Nantucket in 

 the afternoon, by the farther advance of the storm, and also in the log-books of 

 a number of vessels whose positions were eastward and southward of the ship 

 Morrison, but beyond the limits of the map. 



The barometric minimum, as in other storms, appears to have nearly coin- 

 cided, in its progress, Avith the apparent axis of the gale. 



My main object in collecting the observations contained in the subjoined 

 schedule has been to establish the course of the wind in the body or heart of 

 the storm at a given time, and apart from all other considerations. I am in 

 possession, however, of more extended observations of this gale. Many of 

 these appear to agree with some of the following characters or modes of 

 action which pertain, more or less, to many of the storms or gales that visit the 

 United States and other regions. These characters have claimed attention 

 from almost the earliest period of my inquiries. 



1. The body of the gale usually comprises an area of rain or foul weather, 

 together with another, and perhaps equal, or greater area of fair or bright 

 weather. 



2. The fall of rain or snow often extends, in some direction, greatly beyond 

 the observed limits of the gale. 



3. The gale itself not unfrequently exhibits an apparently unequal extent of 

 action, or degree of violence, on different sides of its apparent axis of rotation. 



This peculiarity, as well as the second, is most common in winter storms, 

 and in those which sweep over an extensive continental surface; and, like other 



