Mountain Meteorological Stations and an 



storm phenomena which originate or move eastward of the mountain. 

 Even the cones to the westward' are enough lower to permit observa- 

 tions of storm and cloud conditions below the level of the Observer 

 on the Peak. A very extensive view ot the surrounding country can 

 be had from the Peak, especially to the eastward, in which direction 

 the outlook is estimated to extend 150 miles. The following peaks 

 can be readily discerned from the Signal Station with the aid of a 

 glass: Fisher's, S. 15° E. 124 miles; Long's, W. 72° N. 102 miles; 

 West Spanish, S. 2° E. 101 miles; Ouray, S. 66° W. 70 miles; Har- 

 vard, W. 5° N. 69 miles. This record will give some conception of 

 the wonderful view from the summit of this monarch of the Rockies. 



The storms of wind, rain, hail, sleet and snow which pass over and 

 below the level of the summit open to observation and study atmos- 

 pheric changes which cannot otherwise be investigated except at 

 similar elevations, either in captive balloons, on high structures like 

 the Eiffel tower, or on mountain peaks. Observations made in the 

 higher air currents are of especial value in relation to some of the 

 duties of practical meteorology, and the acknowledgment of this fact 

 gave stimulus to the efforts of the Signal Service in the establishment 

 of the Pike's Peak and Mount Washington stations, the former in 

 July, 1873, and the latter in December, 1870. At both of these 

 stations a separate set of observations was made simultaneously at 

 the base and summit, in order that comparisons could be made to 

 determine the direct effect of the extreme difference in elevation. One 

 of the most interesting and useful problems in meteorology, which the 

 observations at high stations permit an intelligent discussion of, is the 

 retardation of the maxima and minima of air pressure, according to 

 elevation above sea level. 



Prof. Loomis in 1879 advanced certain evidence to show that, 

 apparently, the progress of a storm center was much more rapid 

 at the surface of the earth than at elevations above it. Many argu- 

 ments have been advanced by others for and against this theory. 

 Over the United States both the maxima and minima of accidental 

 fluctuations of atmospheric pressure generally occur, first, near the sur- 

 face of the earth, and they occur later as we rise above the surface, 

 the retardation amounting to one hour for an elevation of from 900 

 to 1,300 feet. The diurnal movements of the barometer exhibit a 

 peculiarity similar to that found for the accidental fluctuations. The 

 principal maximum occurs at the base at 8:30 a. m., but on the snm- 

 mit it does not occur until noon, being a retardation of 3J hours, 

 which is almost identically the same as has been found by a comparison 



