METEOROLOGY OF BEN NEVIS. \{ 



If we except the cases in which the barometer at the Observatory was 

 unduly lowered by high winds as above explained, by far the larger number of 

 the remaining cases, on which the calculated sea-level pressure was less than 

 what was actually observed at Fort-William, either preceded or accompanied 

 storms ; and when the differences were unusually great, the storms were wide- 

 spread and severe. Again, if we neglect the occasions during 1884, the storms 

 of which have been more particularly examined, when the wind exceeded the 

 rate of 30 miles an hour, there remain nine instances which, in the west and 

 north of Scotland, were not followed by any storm. On eight of these occasions 

 the observations did not indicate the existence of any disturbance in the lower 

 stratum of the atmosphere between the Observatory and sea-level. 



It is evident from the importance of the results already arrived at that the 

 Ben Nevis Observatory must be regarded as contributing towards the develop- 

 ment of meteorology, and particularly of that department which deals with the 

 forecasting of .the weather of the British Islands, a body of facts differing 

 wholly in kind from what is or can be contributed by any other Meteorological 

 Observatory or Station in the country. 



Addendum, November 5, 1890. — On the 14th July 1890, the Low-Level 

 Observatory at Fort- William was completed, and the regular work of hourly 

 observations of a first-class Observatory was begun. Since that date, hourly 

 observations made both at the top and the bottom of the mountain are 

 available in the discussion of the various meteorological problems, including 

 storms and other weather changes. Arrangements have been made for the carry- 

 ing on, at the two Observatories and at the Office in Edinburgh, the discussion 

 and utilisation of this important work. In this discussion, more special atten- 

 tion will be given to the bearings of the observations on the cyclones and anti- 

 cyclones of Europe. In this connection Dr Hann has discussed the observa- 

 tions made at the High-Level Meteorological Observatories on the Continent, 

 which must, however, be regarded as outside the track of the European cyclones, 

 and none of them can be said to have a Low-Level Observatory with which 

 its observations can be compared. It is this consideration which gives their 

 unique value to the Ben Nevis double set of observations, seeing it is these alone 

 that contribute the data of observation toward an understanding of the vitally 

 important changes which take place from sea-level to a height of from four to 

 five thousand feet. 



