CLIMATOLOGY OF NEBRASKA. 31 



in November, December or January, a similar one is almost sure 

 to occur within a few days of a month from the first. Those 

 whose necessities therefore or business calls them out during the 

 winter season need only note the date of the first to know when to 

 gaard against the next. It is rare, however, that more than one of 

 these periodical storms is of great severity. 



When the storms commence they are rarely heralded by any- 

 thing except areas of low barometer. Even this warning is some- 

 times absent. The wind generally blows gently at first from the 

 north, northeast or northwest. It is often preceded and accompa- 

 nied by a fall of fine snow. Sometimes the storm of wind does 

 not commence till the snowfall has ceased. The wind gradually 

 increases in intensity, accompanied by a falling thermometer. Its 

 violence increases until the snow is blown into huge drifts, and 

 sometimes all that fell during several days seems mingled with the 

 atmosphere, so that it is impossible to recognize roads, or even the 

 points of the compass. Progression becomes impossible except in 

 the same direction with the wind. This is an extreme case, but a 

 truthful one, and fortunately of rare occurrence. Such storms last 

 from one to three days, and a few instances are on record where 

 they have lasted five days. When the wind ceases to blow the 

 thermometer reaches its lowest point, and the intensest cold that 

 occurs in these latitudes is experienced. In a few days the ther- 

 mometer rises, the weather becomes moderate and pleasant, and all 

 about the storm is apt to be forgotten. So mild does the weather 

 often become in December and January between these storms, that 

 men work in the open air in their shirt-sleeves. This is what 

 often deceives the unwary, and especially new comers. I have 

 known men, starting off in new settlements for loads of wood, 

 going in their shirt-sleeves with a single coat in reserve in the 

 wagon, to be caught in such storms, and losing their way, to per- 

 ish. Proper observation and care as we have seen would avoid 

 such suffering and disaster. Notwithstanding, however, these 

 storms of winter, there are many more days here during winter 

 when men can work comfortably in the open air than in the East. 



Clearness and Purity of the Atmosphere. 



A number of circumstances combine to make the atmosphere of 

 Nebraska exceptionally pure and clear. Its mean elevation of 

 2,312 feet above the sea, its general slope towards the east and 



