37 ' 
character have passed within 500 miles, causing a noticeable increase in 
precipitation and winds, especially in September of 1957> 1958 and 1959> 
October and November 1962, and December 1964-. 
The maximum sustained wind recorded for Midway is 44- knots in January. 
Maximum winds are lowest in June, July and August, are high in September 
and December, and also low in October. Maximum winds occur generally from 
the east from July through October, and from the west the remainder of the 
year. Peak gusts of 77 and 67 knots have been recorded in December and 
January respectively, during the period when the Easterlies are not present. 
From May through August peaks range from 55 to 4-1 knots and in the remaining 
months from 4-2 to 55 knots. Gusts are generally from the west. 
Surface wind speeds and directions are shown in Figure VII. The 
prevailing wind direction ten months of the year is the easterly, and 
during December and January westerly. The annual mean wind speed is 10 
knots, with a range of 5 knots. No sustained winds over 4-0 knots have been 
recorded. Winds of over four knots generally range from northeast to south¬ 
east, while greatest mean wind speeds are recorded from south-southwest to 
west-northwest. 
The mean tenths of total sky cover is fairly uniform throughout the 
year, ranging from a low of 5*3 in August to a high of 7*5 in March. The 
yearly mean is 6.2. The occurrence of fog and haze is negligible, but highest 
in January and March. Closed conditions with visibility less than one mile 
'perce*+ 
occur rarely (2 &£&) at Midway, but mostvoften from December through April, 
A 
when due to rain. 
