I --•: y y] 
ill I: | t | m I Qomplimen ts * op * j?. * J3. * 2 renq bley, * • REPORTS AND STATISTICS 
OF THE 
M ET BORO LOGY 
OF THE 
.OIW+@P+®^KLi^ND,+G^LiIP©^]S[I^ 
FOR THE YEARS 1882=’83. 
OBSERVATIONS TAKEN AT 7 A. M., 2 P. M. AND 9 P. M. OF EACH DAY, 
By J. B. TREMBLEY, M. D. 
Latitude 370, 48', 20" North ; Longitude 1220, 15', 20" West; Height of Barometer above 
the Sea, 24 feet. 
OAKLAND, CAL.: 
Winchester & Pew, Book and Job Printers, 377 Tenth St. 
1884. CALIFORNIA. 
California is but little known in all that is peculiar to her climate, 
health and productiveness. Even those who were here and wan- 
dered over her vast valleys, her hills and mountain ranges long be- 
fore the advent of the present occupants, were unacquainted with 
her real resources and productive capacity, as well as the more re- 
cent pioneer, who first sought her El Dorado, in search of gold. 
Notwithstanding nearly every nook and corner of her great area 
has been searched for the precious metals, her mountains for vari- 
ous woods, her valleys for soil capable of agricultural purposes; still, 
but very few, if any, have a correct idea of her vast wealth yet un- 
developed, in mining, in agriculture, in horticulture, in manufact- 
ures and commercial intercourse. 
All as yet are in its infancy, as it regards her present people and 
the developments they have made; what this period of her history 
will accomplish with her present civilization is yet to be seen. 
She has no history of the past, like the countries of the Old 
World, which has grown by centuries, and can trace their progres- 
sive civilization back through times remote, but came into life and 
the knowledge of the world at a bound, at a moment of time, 
flushed in the full power of nationality. 
The history of her early races are found only in the few remains 
of stone implements for domestic use, and for that of the chase. 
These natives seemed to have been connected some way with 
the early geologic times, when the ocean laved the base of the 
Sierras and the great interior valleys were bays of water. They 
were low in the scale of mental development, lived an animal life, 
incapable of progress, or making any kind of civilization, leaving 
neither a history or tradition of themselves. As found by the ear- 
ly Fathers or Franciscan Friars, who journeyed up the coast about 
the middle of the seventeenth century, they were an artless, wild, 
but simple people; they soon learned to do the bidding of these 
missionaries, and became converts to the religious teachings which 4 
METEOROLOGY. 
they taught. Missions were established here and there along the 
whole coast line of the State, religious instructions were brought to 
bear upon these confiding, ignorant aborigines, they wrere gathered 
around the missions and became the neophytes of the church. The 
missions soon grew rich in horses, cattle, sheep and grain, and the 
poor savages, who had perhaps bettered their condition in life some 
ways, began a life which doomed themselves and their posterity, to 
decay, destruction and death. 
This historical epoch of the early fathers, or parochial govern- 
ment of the missions, existed from 1769 to 1822, fifty-three years, 
during which time much had been accomplished in pastoral life, to 
bring the country from an historical myth to a reality. 
Then came what might be called the third era, or epoch, in the 
history of California, when Mexico threw off her allegiance to 
Spain, and established a civil government at Monterey in April, 
1822. This third period lasted from 1822 to 1846, when the ter- 
ritory which now embraces the area of California, came into pos- 
session of the United States and the stars and stripes were hoisted 
at the, then, Mexican capital Monterey Here begins the fourth 
epoch in the history of California and contiguous territories belong- 
ing to the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, and dates the be- 
ginning of a new' State, which in many respects has been the 
wonder of the world. 
The Mexican or Spanish Californians, who then wrere the occu- 
pants and possessors of the soil, were awakened from their Arcadian 
life, by the vast army of peaceful, unorganized invaders, who were 
ready at all times and places to improve their conditions of life, and 
make the most of all things, that surrounded them. This moving 
host—these argonauts of 1849, who reached California in search of 
gold, were young, robust, energetic men, from the States mostly east 
of the Mississippi River, men of courage, vigor, education and en- 
thusiasm. Men whom nothing would daunt, that would overcome 
all obstacles, who knew not the word fail; with such a population 
thrown into a virgin country, rich in all resources, and climate un- 
surpassed, much might be expected, and much they have done. 
Says John S. Hittell, one of the pioneers of ’49, a terse and pro- 
phetic writer of 1863: “Much we have seen; more we shall see. 
Our State is the Italy of the new world, possessing a dower of 
beauty not inferior to that of the Latin Peninsular; but unlike that, 
not destined to be fatal in its attraction. We shall gain victories METEOROLOGY. 
and celebrate triumphs more numerous and more glorious than 
those of Republican and Imperial Rome; but our triumphs will be 
those of good will—the triumphs of the architect, the road builders, 
the engineer, the inventor, the farmer, the miner, the scientist, the 
author, the printer, the musician, the orator. 
The highest civilization will make one of its chief centers here. 
The great valleys and table lands between the Sierra and the ocean, 
on account of the mildness and equability of their climate, will be 
the favorite place of residence for many thousands from abroad. 
They will fill the lands with wealth, luxury and art. California 
will occupy in the hemisphere of the Pacific, as a focus of intellect- 
ual culture, a position similar to that long held by Attica in the 
basin of the Mediterranean. Looking confidently forward to such a 
result, hoping to see much of it accomplished in our own time, let 
us endeavor to lay a broad, solid and generous foundation for the 
political, industrial and educational greatness of our State; let us be 
proud that we have taken part in a work which has contributed 
much, and will contribute more, to stimulate commerce and to 
extend civilization, and as a consequence, to enrich and benefit 
mankind, a work which will be forever prominent in the history of 
humanity.” It is now over twenty years since Hittel wrote. 
Those living at present in California can say how far the ideas of the 
writer have been realized, and what great changes have been made 
within that time. These early Argonauts are passing rapidly away; 
one by one they are being gathered to the dark valley and shadow 
of death, but they are leaving behind them a monument which it is 
hoped will endure, through all time—the Empire of the Pacific. Synoptical Tables. 
BAROMETRICAL PRESSURE. 
Table showing the mean, highest, and lowest monthly barometer; also, 
the monthly range. Barometer not corrected for elevation or temper- 
ature. 
1882. 
Mean 
Monthly 
Barometer. 
Highest 
Observed 
Barometer 
for the 
Month. 
Lowest 
Observed 
Barometer 
for the 
Month. 
Range 
for the 
Month. 
Tanuarv 
30.06 
30.28 
29.74 
.54 
February 
30.08 
30.34 
29.71 
.63 
March 
30.03 
30.30 
29.65 
.65 
April 
30.02 
30.18 
29.75 
.43 
May 
29.92 
30.13 
29.77 
.36 
Tune 
29.88 
30.03 
29.78 
.25 
July 
29.92 
30.09 
29.80 
.29 
August 
29.89 
30.04 
29.76 
.28 
September 
29.90 
30.08 
29.74 
.22 
October 
29.96 
30.20 
29.76 
.44 
November 
30.02 
30.31 
29.76 
.55 
December 
30.08 
30.30 
29.70 
.60 
Means 
29.98 
30.19 
29.74 
.43 
BAROMETRICAL RECAPITULATION 
Mean barometer for the year 29.98 
Maximum barometer for the year, February 20th, 9 P. M 30.34 
Minimum barometer for the year, March 13th, 2 p. M 29.65 
Highest monthly range for the year 65 
Lowest monthly range for the year 22 
Yearly range 69 METEOROLOGY 
TEMPERATURE 
Table showing the Mean Temperature of the Months, Warmest and Cold- 
est Days; also, the Maximum and Minimum Temperatures, the Greatest 
and Least Daily Variation, Monthly and Mean Daily Range. 
Mean Daily Range 
of Temperature. 
r-~ iq <m co 10 ec a co <m ct 
i>cowMcoccq^(NweoH 
12.80 
Monthly Range of 
Temperature. 
i>*c<ic<io»ocio^co^oc<i 
(NCOtJHt^CO^hOJOJCOCOCOCC 
31.16 
Least Daily 
Variation. 
co co co oi noioooko^hcoo 
Tji 
Greatest Daily 
Variation. 
(N^cccc(NH^rHo:(N(N(N 
24.16 
Minimum 
Temperature. 
COCOCOCO^LOiOiOiO^COCO 
41.08 
Maximum 
Temperature. 
QOOCOOSOJOoiiOTiicOiO^ 
72.08 
Mean Temperature 
of Coldest Days. 
coo coocococo CO 
coo .coocococo . 
HN©NH?d«d I - l- r-n’ l6 lO 
48.14 
Mean Temperature 
of Warmest Days. 
cooco oooocoocoo 
(NCOCO .^OOOOCOOCOO 
*6 oi oi 16 oi o rfH q6 oi go th 
*0 lO O O O O O O O O 1.0 lO 
62.03 
Mean Temperature 
of the Month. 
CO'COOr-l>COOOOO(Nr- 
Tjicoq©^c]ocob©qb 
oidoioir^oooor^^ci 
•^rfii0»0i0i00000»0^ 
54.49 
oi 
00 
00 
TH 
January 
February 
March 
April 
May 
Tune 
July 
August 
September 
October 
November 
December 
Means 
RECAPITULATION OF TEMPERATURE 
Mean temperature of the year 54.49 
Mean temperature of the warmest day, March 20th 69.33 
Mean temperature of the coldest day, December 31st 35. 
Maximum temperature for the year, September 21st, 2p.m 84. 
Minimum temperature for the year, February 19th, 7 A. M 30. 
Greatest daily variation, March 21st 31. 
Least daily variation, October 13th 1. 
Greatest monthly range, March 42. 
Least monthly range, June 19. 
Average daily range for the year 12.80 
Average monthly range for the year 31.16 
Yearly range of temperature 54. 
Mean temperature of Winter 46.80 
Mean temperature of Spring 54.12 
Mean temperature of Summer 60.06 
Mean temperature of Autumn 56.44 
Difference between the coldest and warmest of Spring months 5.77 
Difference between the coldest and warmest of Summer months 1.13 
Difference between the coldest and warmest of Autumn months 9.68 
Difference between the coldest and warmest of Winter months 2.33 
Difference between the coldest and warmest months of the year 14.87 
SEASONS. 8 
METEOROLOGY. 
RELATIVE HUMIDITY. 
Table Showing the Relative Humidity, Precipitation, Weather and direc- 
tion from which the Wind blew, from January ist, 1882, to December 
31st, 1882, inclusive. 
1882. 
Mean Relative 
Humidity. 
Rainfall in Inches. 
No. of Clear and 
Fair Days. 
No. Cloudy Days. 
No. Days in which 
Rain Fell. 
No. Foggy Mornings. 
No. of Mornings 
Overcast. 
No. Mornings Frost. 
Wind— 
1095 Observations. 
s. w. & w. 
N. W. & N. 
N. E. & E. 
S. E. & S. 
Calms. 
January 
77.42 
2.42 
20 
11 
9 
1 
2 
10 
16 
22 
10 
12 
33 
February 
77.68 
2.05 
18 
10 
10 
1 
10 
21 
13 
5 
19 
26 
4.20 
21 
10 
11 
2 
4 
16 
19 
9 
18 
31 
April 
79.46 
1 51 
20 
10 
8 
5 
4 
33 
17 
2 
11 
27 
May 
82.60 
.15 
26 
5 
3 
5 
1 
45 
11 
1 
8 
28 
June 
85.90 
24 
6 
2 
i 
9 
46 
8 
1 
14 
21 
July 
84.83 
29 
2 
2 
21 
45 
10 
1 
8 
29 
84.66 
25 
6 
17 
30 
15 
15 
33 
September 
83.26 
.42 
27 
3 
2 
3 
9 
34 
9 
1 
8 
38 
October 
86.37 
2.65 
24 
7 
9 
2 
1 
1 
34 
7 
4 
11 
37 
November 
84.48 
4.33 
20 
10 
7 
4 
4 
9 
14 
6 
10 
8 
52 
December 
88.23 
1.14 
22 
9 
9 
4 
1 
11 
11 
13 
9 
11 
49 
Means and sums.. 
82.57 
18.87 
276 
89 
72 
15 
77 
50 
345 
150 
53 
143 
404 
RECAPITULATION OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE YEAR 1882. 
Mean relative humidity for the year 82.57 
Highest relative humidity during the year . 100 
Lowest relative humidity during the year, March 25th, 2 P. M 28.6 
Greatest variation of humidity in 24 hours, March 25th 65.7 
Least variation of humidity in 24 hours, June 11th 4 
Rainfall in inches during the year 18.87 
Rainfall in inches during the agricultural year—1881-82 18.03 
Rainfall in inches since July 1, 1882 (Bay Nursery) 10.03 
Number of clear and fair days 276 
Number of cloudy days 89 
Number of days in which rain fell 72 
Number of foggy mornings 15 
Number of mornings overcast 77 
Nunber of mornings that frost was seen — 50 
Wind, direction from south-west and west 345 
Wind, direction from north-west and north 150 
Wind, direction from north-east and east 53 
Wind, direction from south-east and south 143 
Calms 404 METEOROLOGY. 
9 
The following will more particularly illustrate the climate of Oakland for the 
seven past years, as it regards the equability of seasons and the difference be- 
tween the warmest and coldest. 
Seven Years. 
Spring. 
Summer. 
Autumn. 
Winter. 
Difference. 
1876 
54.46 
60.40 
57.75 
48.20 
12.20 
1877 
55.18 
61.17 
57.67 
50.39 
10.78 
1878 
55.73 
59.36 
56.92 
50.12 
9.24 
1879 
56.16 
60.07 
56.73 
49.57 
10.50 
1880 
52.97 
58.95 
55.86 
45.38 
13.57 
1881 
56.35 
60.27 
54.78 
51.10 
9.17 
1882 
54.12 
60.06 
56.44 
46.80 
13.26 
Means 
54.99 
60.04 
56.59 
48.79 
11.25 
Difference between the warmest and coldest means of the seasons for seven 
years is 11.25. 
Monthly Rainfall as taken in Oakland by Mr. James Hutchison, of the Bay 
Nursery, for the consecutive Years mentioned. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
MONTHS. 
© 
3 
p 
3 
© 
3 
p 
3 
© 
3 
P 
© 
e 
p 
| Days.. 
© 
3 
P 
3 
j Days. 
© 
3 
P 
! Days.. 
© 
3 
P 
3 
\ Days.. 
© 
3 
P 
3 
[ Days.. 
© 
3 
P 
3 
] Days.. 
© 
3 
P 
3 
Days.. 
V? 
vT 
vf 
vf 
•5 
vT 
.10 
9 
.18 
2 
2 
2 
2 
i 
3 
2 
.15 
5 
3 
9, 
.40 
1 
.42 
2 
.60 
2.34 
.30 
10 
.45 
4 
1.85 
■> 
.70 
5 
.05 
1 
.82 
7 
2.65 
9 
.60 
9.18 
7.83 
.25 
2 
1.62 
8 
.65 
3 
2.98 
9 
.35 
2 
1.49 
5 
4.33 
7 
10.18 
.31 
4.10 
1.75 
8 
.31 
6 
5.06 
14 
12.57 
18 
5.09 
10 
1.14 
9 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
5.60 
6.15 
5.28 
4.19 
9 
10.82 
16 
3.84 
11 
1.71 
10.48 
11 
2.42 
9 
1.95 
3 
1.80 
.30 
4.87 
1.42 
11.63 
17 
5.65 
9 
2.19 
9 
3.95 
14 
2.05 
10 
.70 
5 
5.25 
1.65 
4.55 
.96 
4.30 
16 
7.96 
15 
1.70 
9 
.88 
3 
4.20 
11 
3.33 
8 
1.25 
.93 
99 
5 
1.18 
6 
1.17 
12 
8.46 
18 
1.40 
8 
1.51 
8 
2.20 
8 
.75 
.10 
.45 
.33 
5 
.40 
2 
1.39 
7 
1.04 
.50 
6 
.15 
3 
3.50 
11 
1.64 
.24 
5 
.16 
1 
1.16 
2 
2 
26.03 
21.67 
28.53 
12.33 
51 
32.33 
79 
23.55 
74 
23.84 
82 
31.24 
65 
18.13 
66 
20.22 
64 
The rainfall in California is rather phenomenal, and depending greatly upon 
latitude and topography. The average difference of annual rainfall in the State, 
extending from north-west to south-east, is a little over two inches for every 
degree, being thirty-four inches at Crescent City, and ten inches at San Diego. 
It is said to increase about one inch for every hundred feet in elevation in 
ascending the Sierra Nevada. METEOROLOGY. 
TABLE 
Showing the Comparative Annual Meteorology of 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 
1880, 1881 and 1882. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
Mean temperature of the year 
55.09 
56.29 
55.28 
55.11 
53.69 
55.62 
54.49 
Mean temperature of warmest day 
74. 
76. 
69.33 
75.33 
70.66 
70. 
69.33 
Mean temperature of coldest day 
36. 
41.63 
37. 
33.66 
41. 
42. 
35. 
Maximum temperature for the year 
97. 
96. 
84. 
93. 
89. 
87. 
84. 
Minimum temperature for the year 
30. 
30. 
27. 
27. 
29. 
31. 
30. 
Greatest daily variation of temperature 
33. 
38. 
33. 
46. 
36. 
35. 
31. 
2. 
1. 
2. 
1. 
1. 
1 
Greatest monthly range of temperature 
49. 
47. 
46. 
46. 
48. 
40. 
42. 
Least monthly range of temperature 
19. 
25. 
23. 
30. 
28. 
21. 
19. 
Average daily range of temperature for year... 
Average monthly range of temperature for 
14.94 
14.61 
13.65 
12.96 
14.10 
13.40 
12.80 
year 
34.92 
35.5 
32.5 
38. 
34.91 
32. 
31.16 
Yearly range of temperature 
67. 
66. 
57. 
66. 
60. 
56. 
54. 
Mean relative humidity for year 
83. 
83.11 
84.71 
85.29 
83.70 
83.25 
82.57 
Highest relative humidity for year 
100. 
100. 
100. 
100. 
100. 
100. 
100. 
Lowest relative humidity for year 
40. 
34.40 
38.60 
39. 
27. 
29. 
28.6 
Greatest variation humidity in 24 hours 
49.09 
51.20 
45.06 
58. 
54.40 
37.40 
65.7 
Least variation humidity in 24 hours 
.06 
.01 
.02 
.30 
.20 
.30 
.4 
Rainfall in inches during the year 
Rainfall in inches in agricultural years from 
21.56 
11.09 
31.71 
28.91 
28.07 
26.07 
18.87 
July 1, 1875, to Tuly 1, 1882 
28.53 
12.33 
32.32 
23.55 
23.84 
31.24 
18.03 
Number clear and fair days during year 
268 
301 
255 
266 
258 
276 
276 
Number cloudy days during year 
Number days in which rain fell 
98 
64 
110 
99 
108 
89 
89 
63 
58 
78 
89 
53 
67 
72 
Number foggy mornings 
23 
8 
17 
19 
27 
28 
15 
Number mornings overcast 
51 
44 
64 
63 
86 
52 
77 
Number mornings that frost was seen 
35 
35 
36 
46 
62 
47 
50 
Wind, direction from SW and W 
342 
364 
311 
355 
346 
402 
345 
Wind, direction from NW and W 
210 
150 
173 
150 
136 
136 
150 
Wind, direction from NE and N 
34 
63 
45 
50 
59 
58 
53 
Wind, direction from SE and S 
163 
150 
164 
126 
172 
138 
143 
Calms 
SEASONS. 
340 
368 
402 
372 
385 
331 
404 
Mean temperature of Spring 
54.46 
55.1S 
55. / 3 
56.15 
52.97 
56.35 
54.12 
Mean temperature of Summer 
60.40 
61.17 
59.36 
60.07 
58.95 
60.27 
60.06 
Mean temperature of Autumn 
57.75 
57.67 
56.92 
56.73 
55.86 
54.78 
56.44 
Mean temperature of Winter 
Difference between the warmest and coldest 
48.20 
50.39 
50.12 
47.60 
45.38 
51.10 
46.80 
months of Spring 
Difference between the warmest and coldest 
4.40 
1.49 
3.68 
.70 
9.91 
5.12 
5.77 
months of Summer 
Difference between the warmest and coldest 
1.99 
1.10 
.35 
1.26 
1.88 
1.55 
1.13 
months of Autumn 
Difference between the warmest and coldest 
6.13 
7.76 
5.93 
9.14 
7.70 
8.79 
9.68 
months of Winter 
Difference between the warmest and coldest 
5.00 
6.09 
1.28 
5.13 
2.37 
5.34 
2.33 
months of the year 
16.20 
12.25 
13.06 
15.68 
15.78 
12.38 
14.77 
FOR SEVEN YEARS. 
Mean difference between the coldest and warmest months for seven years..15.79 
Mean temperature for seven years 55.25 
Mean barometer for seven years 29.95 
Mean relative humidity for seven years 83.22 
Mean annual rainfall in inches for seven years 22.72 MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL SYNOPSIS 
OF CASUAL PHENOMENA. 
January—As a whole was an unpleasant month from the great 
diversity of weather in its storms of rain and frosty mornings. The 
morning of the 15th was the coldest of the season. Ice formed on 
the surface of shallow pools of water; frost came into yards—ex- 
posed lawns—streets and sidewalks were white with hoar frost; 
everything out of doors looked decidedly wintry. The thermome- 
ter marked 300 Fahr., on the 21st, 7 a. m.—lowest of the month. 
The 24th was showery through the day; at 4 a. m. a vivid flash of 
lightning occurred, followed by loud thunder that rolled away in 
the distance, followed by a fearful dash of rain and hail. 
February—Like January was unpleasant from frost, rain and 
cloudy weather. The last four days of the month were rather 
marked by frequent solar and lunar halos. Parhelia were seen sev- 
eral times, quite beautiful in appearance. 
March—Pleasant and warm, with frequent showers. Vegetation 
grew rapidly. On the 15th at 8 a. m., a hard shower attended with 
lightning and loud thunder, came up from the south with a high 
wind. The 26th was very warm; thermometer stood at 9 p. m., 
740 Fahr.; the warmest ever observed in the evening for the time of 
year. The ocean wind came in late p. m. on the 27th for the first 
time in the season, cooling down the heated atmosphere produced 
from the several previous warm days. 
April—Weather similar to that of preceding month. A beauti- 
ful rainbow was seen just before sunset on the 8th, and a bright 
Aurora Borealis was visible on the evening of the 16th from 8 to 11 
o’clock, p. m., over a large portion of the northern horizon. The 
light appearing and disappearing at varying times, was of all shades 
and beauty. The color came and went in sudden flashes of lam- 12 
METEROLOGY. 
bent flame, developing one after another all the colors of the prism. 
Streamers flashed and jetted far up towards the zenith, then dying 
away settled down into white corruscations, with darting, shooting 
scintillations, exhibiting a fine pyrotechnic display. This was the 
first Aurora Borealis seen in Oakland for many years, or on this 
coast. A majority of the people who witnessed it saw it for the 
first time in their lives. It was seen over the whole middle and 
northern portions of the State. In places the color was so red that 
many supposed an immense conflagration was taking place in the 
distance. 
May—An unpleasant month; 12th, 13th and 14th were cool, with 
gales of wind and dust, which culminated on the morning of the 
15th with a frost. 
June—Cooler than the average for the month. Overcasts and 
westerly winds very prevalent. At a. m. on the morning of the 
27th, two shocks of an earthquake in quick succession were felt, 
which jarred buildings and swayed pendent objects. The vibra- 
tions were from N. E. to S. W. A very distinct rumbling sound 
accompanied the shocks. 
July—More than usually pleasant, although overcasts with west- 
erly wdnds were more than the average. Two light shocks of earth- 
quake occurred on the 15th at 7.45 p. m. Vibratory motion from 
east to west. In some houses, loose articles of furniture rattled and 
chandeliers were swayed by the motion. A light rain and mist oc- 
curred on the 31st, but the amount of rainfall was not appreciable 
to measurement. 
August—No unusual phenomena during the month. At 8.45 
p. m. on the 8th, a slight shock of earthquake was felt, with some 
noise. Vibration from S. E. to N. W. 
September—A pleasant month. The new comet discovered by 
astronomers was seen for the first time, on the 22d, just before the 
morning twilight, in a southeasterly direction, in advance of the sun. 
The first rain of the season came on the 30th. 
October—Various extremes of all kinds of weather prevailed, from 
the genial heat of summer to that of frost. On the 20th, at 8 a. m., 
a phenomenon of an earthquake occurred, consisting of what might 
be denominated two jogs and a half, without any vibration or undu- 
latory movement. The cometary display in September was grand, METEOROLOGY. 
13 
far greater than any celestial visitor for many a year, and continued 
its brilliant appearance throughout the month. 
November—Was definitely marked, as regards weather, and more 
than an average in low temperature—rain, cold and frosts. The 
comet on the 5th shone out brightly. The tail seemed as lumin- 
ous and long as ever, although it evidently had passed its peri- 
helion and was slowly moving away. On the evening of the 18th 
an Aurora Borealis was seen by some, said to have been quite brill- 
iant. Have doubts of it; think it a lingering twilight or zodiacal 
light. 
December—Was a month of meteorological phenomena. The 
most marked was the transit of the planet Venus, which occurred 
on the 6th. The first view was at 8 o’clock, a. m., a mere spot on 
the red surface of the sun, apparently the size of a silver dollar, and 
traversing the lower southwestern limb or portion in something of 
an arc. The means used in observing the phenomenon were 
a piece of well smoked glass and an ordinary opera glass, which 
answered a good purpose, as the sequel showed, when the results of 
the observations were made known through the papers on the fol- 
lowing day of those taken in the city of San Francisco, at Professor 
Davidson’s astronomical observatory by J. J. Gilbert and others. 
The San Francisco Chronicle said: 
“The wind yesterday was from the north, with a clear at- 
mosphere, and all auspicious for an unclouded view and scien- 
tific study of Venus. The time of the several contacts was as 
follows, according to Washington time: First contact, 8.55 a. m.; 
first internal contact. 9.16 a. m.; second internal contact, 2.38 
p. m.; last contact, 3 p. m., making the total time of the tran- 
sit six hours and five minutes. The difference in time between 
Washington and San Francisco is about three hours and seven- 
teen minutes. The first contact means when the edge of the 
sun is first touched by the nearer rim of Venus, and the first 
internal contact is when the outer edge of the sun’s disk coincides 
with the outer edge of Venus. These two contacts are included in 
what is technically termed the planet’s ingress, and accordingly were 
not witnessed in California. The second internal contact means 
when the first edge of Venus just touches the outer edge of the sun, 
and the last contact is described as the time when the inner edge of 
Venus and the outer edge of the sun coincide. The two last men- 14 
METEOROLOGY. 
tioned contacts are comprised in the egress, and, therefore, were 
observed in San Francisco. 
“At 11.25, mean time, which is about twenty seconds slower 
than the exact local time, a bright, golden appearance was noted 
upon the limb of the sun and the following limb of Venus, and ten 
minutes later the limb of each was very steady and colorless. 
“The second internal contact, that is, the first of the two last con- 
tacts visible in the egress, or the outer union of Venus and the sun, 
occurred at 11.42. There was not any discoloration to speak of 
noticed; the cusps were very steady; the haziness in the atmosphere 
around Venus was well marked, and three minutes later a dim, 
narrow shaded white line, the atmosphere of Venus, was seen in 
the outer space. At 11.54 the images were not clear, but three 
seconds after both Venus and the sun were pronounced to be 
very steady. The last contact, when the inner edge of Venus 
and the outer edge of the sun touched, was recorded at 12.02. 
There was no bead-like appearance of Venus, and with a very 
clear break she passed away, to be seen no more in solar tran- 
sit by the mortals of the present generation. At one stage of her 
transit variegated colors of yellow, purple and gold were exhibited 
upon the inner and outer rims of Venus. In passing off the sun’s 
limb, from the inner to the outer contact, she was just twenty min- 
utes. 
“The following are the dates of the occurrence of the next six 
transits by Venus: June 8, 2004; June 6, 2012; December 11, 
2117; December 18, 2125; June 11, 2247; June 9> 2255.” 
The following diagram represents the surface of the sun, cut into 
twelve segments in its greatest diameters, east and west, north and 
south. The location of Venus on the surface of the sun when first 
seen was, in local time, 8 o’clock a. m., and marked by figure 1, as 
near as could be located without the aid of astronomical instru- 
ments. METEOROLOGY. 
15 
1— 8 o’clock, A. M. 
2— 9 o’clock, A. M. 
3 IO o’clock, A. M. 
4— Internal contact, 11.45 o’clock, a. m. 
5— External contact, 12.01 o’clock, p. m. 
The time of Washington time in all of its contacts: 
1st external contact. 8.55 a. m. 
1st internal contact 9.16 a. m. 
21' time. 
2d internal contact 2.38 p. m. 
2d external contact 3.00 p. m. 
22' time. 
Time of transit, from ingress to egress, was six hours and five 
minutes. 
As seen in San Francisco, local time: 
2d internal contact 11.42 a. m. 
2d external contact 12.02 p. m. 
2o' time. 16 
METEOROLOGY. 
As seen in Oakland, local time: 
2d internal contact 11.45 a. m. 
2d external contact 12.01 p. m. 
16' time. 
What is the most remarkable in the above is the comparative time 
of the contacts. 
Lunar and solar halos were quite numerous. The last seen of the 
comet was on the morning of the 2d at 2 a. m., south and east of 
the zenith. The latter part of the month was more than unusually 
cold, which culminated in a severe snowT storm on the 31st, the last 
day of the month. The day was very cold, cloudy; wind north- 
east, quite a strong breeze. Snow began to fall 12.30 o’clock p. m., 
and continued until 3.30 o’clock p. m., when the wind veered to 
the south-east and it changed to sleet and rain. The depth of snow 
packed on the ground was one and a half inches. Not within the 
memory of white men on this coast had such a storm been known 
in Oakland. Not a flake of snow has ever before been seen to fall 
to the ground in this city for the eight years that meteorological 
observations have been taken. *18 8 3. 
Synoptical Tables. 
BAROMETRICAL PRESSURE. 
Table showing' the mean, highest, and lowest monthly barometer; also, 
the monthly range. Barometer not corrected for elevation or temper- 
ature. 
1883. 
Mean 
Monthly 
Barometer. 
Highest 
Observed 
Barometer 
for the 
Month. 
Lowest 
Observed 
Barometer 
for the 
Month. 
Range 
for the 
Month. 
30.16 
30.46 
29.64 
.82 
February 
30.02 
30.57 
29.61 
.96 
March 
29.93 
30.21 
29.58 
.63 
April 
30.00 
30.33 
29.66 
.67 
May 
29.91 
30.16 
29.66 
.50 
29.91 
30.15 
29.72 
.43 
July 
29.91 
30.07 
29.79 
.28 
August 
29.93 
30.07 
29.79 
.28 
29.88 
30.00 
29.73 
.27 
29.94 
30.17 
29.60 
.57 
30.05 
30.32 
29.91 
.41 
30.07 
30.34 
29.61 
.73 
29.98 
30.23 
29.69 
.54 
BAROMETRICAL RECAPITULATION 
Mean barometer for the year 29.98 
Maximum barometer for the year, February 17th, 2 P. M 30.57 
Minimum barometer for the year, March 27th, 2 P. M 29.58 
Highest monthly range for the year 96 
Lowest monthly range for the year 27 
Yearly range 99 18 
METEOROLOGY. 
TEMPERATURE. 
Table showing- the Mean Temperature of the Months, Warmest and Cold- 
est Days; also, the Maximum and Minimum Temperatures, the Greatest 
and Least Daily Variation, Monthly and Mean Daily Range. 
Mean Daily Range 
of Temperature. 
OO'tlO 
Tii co tjj 'iQT*i»ioe>t>C4aq 
00 >£» OS c4 *-h 00 OS cji oo 
12.81 
Monthly Range of 
Temperature. 
COt^COOJLOt^COCO^COCOCO 
37.58 
Least Daily 
Variation. 
4.41 
Greatest Daily 
Variation. 
o5 O 04 —H GO t- GO l - GO I - 
04 04 CO 04 CO CO 04 Cl Ol 04 01 04 
27.83 
Minimum 
Temperature. 
04 04 CO lO iO ‘O lO CO C-l 
40.91 
Maximum 
Temperature. 
O O ® 00 M CO IO LO CO IM o 
l ' I - "O 
86.83 
Mean Temperature 
of Coldest Days. 
CO O CO CO CO 
CO # CO CO # s CO # CO 
04 co i - o cd l- 04* co ci 
co co o ‘O o o io o co 
47-66 
Mean Temperature 
of Warmest Days. 
c^ 
LO 
CO CO CO CO CO CO 
_ WCO # CO CO CO 
>o o *o 00 1' C ‘O lO LO 
64.66 
Mean Temperature 
of the Month. 
0“ 
l> 
cr 
-+ 
45.18 
52.48 
52.48 
57.08 
62.99 
c -i a (M io 
CO 04 04 CCON 
© © co cd oi cd 
CO CO © LO LO T* 
54.66 
1S83. 
c 
J MU.*. J 
February 
March 
April 
May 
T lino 
July 
August 
September 
October 
November 
December 
Means 
RECAPITULATION OF TEMPERATURE. 
Mean temperature of the year 54.66 
Mean temperature of the warmest day, June 6th 84.66 
Mean temperature of the coldest day, January 19th 32.33 
Maximum temperature for the year, June 6th, 1.30 P. M 103. 
Minimum temperature for the year, February 20th, 7 A. M 25. 
Greatest daily variation, June 6th 38. 
Least daily variation, March 26th 1. 
Greatest monthly range, May 50. 
Least monthly range, April 19. 
Average daily range for the year 12.81 
Average monthly range for the year 37.58 
Yearly range of temperature 78. 
Mean temperature of Winter 46.20 
Mean temperature of Spring 54.68 
Mean temperature of Summer 61.16 
Mean temperature of Autumn 54.25 
Difference between the coldest and warmest of Spring months 5.60 
Difference between the coldest and warmest of Summer months 2.78 
Difference between the coldest and warmest of Autumn months 10.64 
Difference between the coldest and warmest of Winter months 5.98 
Difference between the coldest and warmest months of the year 19.26 
SEASONS. METEOROLOGY. 
19 
RELATIVE HUMIDITY. 
Table Showing the Relative Humidity, Precipitation, Weather and direc- 
tion from which the Wind blew, from January ist, 1883, to December 
31st, 1883, inclusive. 
1883 
Mean Relative 
Humidity. 
Rainfall in Inches. 
No. of Clear and 
Fair Days. 
1 No. Cloudy Days. 
No. Days in which 
Rain Fell. 
|No. Foggy Mornings. 
No. of Mornings 
Overcast. 
| No. Mornings Frost. 
Wind— 
I095 Observations. 
s. w. & w. 
N. W. & N. 
N. E. & E. 
t/> 
W 
f* 
w 
Calms. 
January 
84.19 
1 95 
29 
2 
3 
3 
19 
15 
17 
4 
7 
50 
79.23 
.70 
22 
6 
5 
1 
12 
23 
13 
6 
9 
33 
March 
86.06 
3.33 
12 
19 
8 
4 
14 
48 
8 
1 
9 
27 
April 
80.24 
2.20 
22 
8 
8 
7 
43 
16 
4 
27 
May 
84.50 
3.50 
17 
14 
11 
7 
1 
41 
10 
3 
9 
30 
80.57 
26 
4 
16 
54 
] 
6 
24 
July 
85.91 
23 
8 
1 
23 
59 
1 
4 
29 
85.84 
20 
11 
22 
48 
6 
4 
35 
September 
83.29 
1.00 
26 
4 
2 
3 
9 
24 
11 
2 
12 
41 
October 
83.54 
1.03 
24 
7 
7 
5 
2 
37 
9 
2 
9 
36 
November 
85.24 
.90 
20 
10 
3 
7 
1 
9 
20 
12 
3 
6 
49 
December 
85.98 
1.15 
25 
6 
6 
3 
14 
16 
11 
7 
12 
47 
Means and sums.. 
83.71 
15.76 
266 
99 
53 
21 
105 
58 
119 
119 
29 
91 
428 
RECAPITULATION OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE YEAR 1883 
Mean relative humidity for the year 83.71 
Highest relative humidity during the year 100 
Lowest relative humidity during the year, June 6th, 2 P. M 33.9 
Greatest variation of humidity in 24 hours, November 26th 48.8 
Least variation of humidity in 24 hours, March 13th 3 
Rainfall in inches during the year 15.76 
Rainfall in inches during the agricultural year—1882-83 20.22 
Rainfall in inches since July 1, 1883 (Bay Nursery) 4.08 
Number of clear and fair days 266 
Number of cloudy days 99 
Number of days in which rain fell 53 
Number of foggy mornings 21 
Number of mornings overcast 105 
Nunber of mornings that frost was seen 58 
Wind, direction from south-west and west 438 
Wind, direction from north-west and north 119 
Wind, direction from north-east and east 29 
Wind, direction from south-east and south 91 
Calms 428 20 
METEOROLOGY. 
The following will more particularly illustrate the climate of Oakland for the 
eight past years, as it regards the equability of seasons and the difference be- 
tween the warmest and coldest. 
Eight Years. 
Spring. 
Summer. 
Autumn. 
Winter. 
Difference. 
1876 
54.46 
60.40 
57.75 
48.20 
12.20 
1877 
55.18 
61.17 
57.67 
50.39 
10.78 
1878 
55.73 
59.36 
56.92 
50.12 
9.24 
1879 
56.16 
60.07 
56.73 
49.57 
10.50 
1880 
52.97 
58.95 
55.86 
45.38 
13.57 
1881 
56.35 
60.27 
54.78 
51.10 
9.17 
1882 
54.12 
60.06 
56.44 
46.80 
13.26 
1883 
54.63 
61.16 
54.25 
46.20 
19.26 
Means 
55.20 
60.18 
56.30 
48.47 
11.24 
Difference between the warmest and coldest means 
years is 11.71. 
of the seasons for eight 
Monthly Rainfall as taken in Oakland by Mr. James Hutchison, of the Bay 
Nursery, for the consecutive Years mentioned. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
© 
© 
© 
© 
n 
© 
n 
© 
C 
© C 
© 
n 
© 
tl 
© 
C 
© 
n 
MONTHS 
3 
p 
3 
P 
3 
P 
3 
P 
P 
3 
P 
P 
3 
P 
P 
v: 
3 P 
P v; 
3 
P 
P 
v: 
3 
p 
P 
v- 
3 
P 
P 
3 
P 
P 
v; 
3 
3 
3 
3 
w 
w 
S3 . w 
3 
V) 
3 
w 
3 
w 
3 
in 
£T. 
c. 
nr. 
nr. 
nr. 
nr. j • 
c. 
nr. 
v? 
V? 
'S 
; 
< 
v? 
$ 
July 
.10 
2 
.18 
2 
0 
9 
2 
1 
3 
2 
September 
October.... 
.15 
5 
.57 
3 
2 
.40 
1 
.42 
2 
1.00 
2 
.60 
2.34 
.30 
4.74 
10 
.45 
4 
1.85 
2 
.701 5 
.05 
1 
.82 
2.65 
9 
1.03 
7 
November. 
.60 
9.18 
7.83 
.25 
2 
1.62 
8 
.65 
3 
2.98 j 9 
.35 
2 
1.49 
5 
4.33 
7 
.SKI 
3 
December.. 
10.18 
.31 
4.10 
8 
.31 
6 
5.06 14 
12.57 
18 
5.09 10 
1.14 
9 
1.15 
6 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880/ 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
1884. 
January.... 
February.. 
5.60 
6.15 
5.28 
4.19 
9 
10.82 
16 
3.84 
11 
1.71 7 
10.4811 
2.42 
9 
1.95 
3 
1.80 
.30 
4.87 
1.42 
5 
11.03 
17 
5.65 
9 
2.19 9 
3.95 14 
2.05 10 
.70 
5.25 
1.65 
4.55 
.96 
4.3016 
7.96 
15 
1.70' 9 
.88 
3 
4.20 11 
3.33 
8 
1.25 
.93 
99 
5 
1.18 
6 
1.17 
12 
8.46 18 
1.40 
8 
1.51 
8 
2.20 
8 
.75 
.10 
.45 
.33 
5 
.40 
2 
1.39 
1.04 5 
.50 
6 
.15 
3 
3.50 
11 
1 64 
.24 
5 
.16 
1 
1.16 
9 
Amount.... 
26.03 
21.67 
28.55 
12.36 51 
32.33 
79 
23.55 
74 
23.84 82 
31.24165118.13! 66 
20.22 
64 
The rainfall in California is rather phenomenal, and depending greatly upon 
latitude and topography. The average difference of annual rainfall in the State, 
extending from north-west to south-east, is a little over two inches for every 
degree, being thirty-four inches at Crescent City, and ten inches at San Diego. 
It is said to increase about one inch for every hundred feet in elevation in 
ascending the Sierra Nevada. METEOROLOGY. 
21 
TABLE 
Showing the Comparative Annual Meteorology of 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 
1880, 1881, 1882 and 1883. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
Mean temperature of the year 
55.09 
56.29 
55.28 
55.11 
53.69 
55.62 
54.49 
54.66 
Mean temperature of warmest day 
74. 
76. 
69.33 
75.33 
70.66 
70. 
69.33 
84.66 
Mean temperature of coldest day 
36. 
41.63 
37. 
33.66 
41. 
42. 
35. 
32.33 
Maximum temperature for the year 
97. 
96. 
84. 
93. 
89. 
87. 
84. 
103. 
Minimum temperature for the year 
30. 
30. 
27. 
27. 
29. 
31. 
30. 
25. 
Greatest daily variation of temperature... 
33. 
38. 
33. 
46. 
36. 
35. 
31. 
38. 
Least daily variation of temperature 
2. 
1. 
2 
1. 
1. 
1. 
1. 
Greatest monthly range of temperature .. 
49. 
47. 
46. 
46. 
48. 
40. 
42. 
50. 
Least monthly range of temperature 
19. 
25. 
23. 
30. 
28. 
21. 
19. 
29. 
Average daily range temperature for year 
Average monthly range of temperature 
14.94 
14.61 
13.65 
12.96 
14.10 
13.40 
12.80 
12.81 
for year 
34.92 
35.5 
32.5 
38. 
34.91 
32. 
31.16 
37.58 
Yearly range of temperature 
67. 
66. 
57. 
66. 
60. 
56. 
54. 
65. 
Mean relative humiditv for year 
83. 
83.11 
84.71 
85.29 
83.70 
83.25 
82.57 
83.71 
Highest relative humidity for year 
100. 
100. 
100. 
100. 
100. 
100. 
100. 
100. 
Lowest relative humidity for year 
40. 
34.40 
38.60 
39. 
27. 
29. 
28.7 
33.9 
Greatest variation humidity in 24 hours... 
49.09 
51.20 
45.06 
58. 
54.40 
37.40 
65.7 
48.8 
Least variation humidity in 24 hours 
.06 
.01 
.02 
.30 
.20 
.30 
.4 
.3 
Rainfall in inches during the year 
Rainfall in inches in agricultural years 
21.56 
11.09 
31.71 
28.91 
28.07 
26.07 
18.87 
15.76 
from July 1,1876, to Jufy 1,1883 
28.53 
12.33 
32.32 
23.55 
23.84 
31.24 
18.03 
20.22 
Number clear and fair days during year.. 
268 
301 
255 
266 
258 
276 
276 
266 
Number cloudy days during year 
98 
64 
110 
99 
108 
89 
89 
99 
Number days in which rain fell 
63 
58 
78 
89 
53 
67 
72 
53 
Number foggy mornings 
23 
8 
17 
19 
27 
28 
15 
21 
Number mornings overcast 
51 
44 
64 
63 
86 
52 
77 
105 
Number mornings that frost was s _en 
35 
35 
36 
46 
62 
47 
50 
58 
Wind, direction from SW and W 
342 
364 
311 
355 
346 
402 
345 
428 
Wind, direction from NW and W 
210 
150 
173 
150 
136 
136 
, 150 
119 
Wind, direction from NE and N 
34 
63 
45 
50 
59 
58 
53 
29 
Wind, direction from SE and S 
163 
150 
164 
126 
172 
138 
143 
91 
Calms 
SEASONS. 
340 
368 
402 
372 
385 
331 
404 
438 
Mean temperature of Spring 
54.46 
55.18 
55.73 
56.15 
52.97 
56.35 
54.12 
54.63 
Mean temperature of Summer 
60.40 
61.17 
59.36 
60.07 
58.95 
60.27 
60.06 
61.16 
Mean temperature of Autumn 
57.75 
57.67 
56.92 
56.73 
55.86 
54.78 
56.44 
54.25 
Mean temperature of Winter 
Difference between the warmest and 
48.20 
50.39 
50.12 
47.60' 
45.38 
51.10 
46.80 
46.20 
coldest months of Spring 
Difference between the warmest and 
4.40 
1.49 
3.68 
.70 
9.91 
5.12 
5.77 
5.60 
coldest months of Summer 
Difference between the warmest and 
1.99 
1.10 
.35 
1.26 
1.88 
1.55 
1.13 
2.78 
coldest months of Autumn 
Difference between the warmest and 
6.13 
7.76 
5.93 
9.14 
7.70 
8.79 
9.68 
10.64 
coldest months of Winter 
Difference between the warmest and 
5.00 
6.09 
1.28 
5.13 
2.37 
5.34 
2.33 
5.98 
coldest months of the year 
16.20 
12.25 
13.06 
15.68 
15.78 
12.38 
14.77 
19.26 
FOR EIGHT YEARS. 
Mean difference between the coldest and warmest months for eight years.. 19.26 
Mean temperature for eight years 55.08 
Mean barometer for eight years ,29.95 
Mean relative humidity for eight years 83.67 
Mean annual rainfall in inches for eight years 22.75 22 
METEOROLOGY 
RAINFALL IN SAN FRANCISCO FROM 1849 TO 1877 
INCLUSIVE. 
1849. 
'1850. 
1851. 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
© 
c 
p 
3 
0 
p 
v- 
7) 
© 
c 
p 
S3 
c 
p 
in 
© 
p 
p 
3 
0 
P 
v; 
tj 
© 
p 
p 
3 
0 
p 
v- 
75 
© 
S3 
P 
3 
0 
P 
© 
3 
P 
3 
0 
p 
V- 
75 
© 
p 
p 
3 
a 
p 
75 
vT 
vT 
July 
.04 
1 
.01 
.15 
1 
.33 
1.03 
i 
# 
.46 
4 
3 
8.14 
3 
.21 
9 
.80 
1 
.12 
2 
2.41 
It 
November 
December 
8.66 8 
6.20 12 
.92 
1.05 
7 
4 
2.12 5 
7.10 14 
5.31 
13.20 
12 
20 
2.28 
2.32 
12 
21 
.34 
.81 
2 
3 
.67 
5.76 
7 
15 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 
1852. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
Tanuarv 
8.84 15 
.72 
5 
.58 
4 
3.92 
11 
3.88 
10 
3.67 
4.77 
11 
9.40 13 
February 
1.77 
5 
.54 
4 
.14 
4 
1.42 
5 
8.04 
16 
10 
.50 
4 
March 
4.53 
1.94 
9 
6.68:14 
4.86 
6 
8.51 
11 
4.64 12 
5.00 10 
1.60 
5 
April 
.46 
3 
1.23 
8 
.26 
3 
5.37 
9 
3.12 
9 
2.94 
6 
May 
.67 
3 
.32 
1 
.38 
7 
.02 
1 
1.88 
6 
.76 
3 
.08 
2 
.03 
1 
33.1053 
7.40 
44 
18.14 48 
35.26 
70 
23.87 
79 
23.56,67 
21.66 
54 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
O 
G 
© 
0 
© 
O 
© 
O 
© 
|o 
© 
n 
© 
O 
£ 
& 
£ 
P 
£ 
P 
£ 
P 
£ 
ltp 
£ 
P 
£ 
P 
£ 
to 
3 
to 
£ 
to 
£ 
£ 
to 
£ 
to 
£ 
to 
v? 
•< 
vf 
V? 
July 
.02 
1 
.05 
2 
.21 
1 
August 
.05 
O 
.16 
2 
.02 
1 
September 
.07 
2 
.03 
1 
.02 
1 
October 
.45 
5 
.93 
3 
2.74 
4 
.05 
1 
.19 
12 
.40 
2 
November 
2.79 
9 
3.01 
11 
.69 
5 
7.28 
15 
.58 
3 
4.10 
12 
.15 
3 
December 
3.75 
12 
4.14 
8 
6.14 
14 
1.57 
6 
6.16 
21 
9.54 
16 
2.35 
9 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
January 
2.45 
7 
4.36 
8 
1.28 
4 
1.64 
8 
2.47 
8 
24.36 
18 
3.63 
9 
February 
8.59 
15 
1.83 
8 
6.32 
18 
1.60 
7 
3.72 
8 
7.53 
10 
3.19 
10 
March 
1.62 
6 
5.55 
8 
3.02 
11 
3.9913 
4.08 
8 
2.20 
11 
2.06 
8 
April 
1.55 
4 
.27 
4 
.8 14 
s 
.51 
4 
.73 
9 
1.04 
9 
May 
.02 
3 
.34 
3 
1.55 
4 
2.86|11 
1.00 
3 
.74 
5 
.26 
2 
June 
.12 
1 
.05 
1 
.09 
2 
.08 
o 
.05 
1 
19.82 
61 
21.71 
56 
22.22 
68 
22.27 
73 
19.00 
70 
49.27 
83 
13.08 
52 METEOROLOGY 
23 
RAINFALL IN SAN FRANCISCO—Continued. 
1863. 
1864. 
1865. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
£■ 
p 
3 
>5' 
a 
p 
o 
3 
p 
0 
P 
73 
o 
p 
a 
p 
v? 
C/3 
§ 
P 
0 
p 
73 
O 
3 
P 
3 
V? 
0 
P 
VJ 
73 
© 
3 
P 
3 
C 
p 
3 
© 
3 
P 
3 
a 
p 
V* 
7) 
July 
' 
August 
.21 
.01 
.13 
6.68 
8.91 
1865. 
5.14 
1.34 
.74 
.94 
.63 
3 
1 
3 
8 
18 
9 
8 
4 
3 
2 
September 
October 
November 
December 
January 
February 
March 
April 
May 
J une 
.03 
2.55 
1.80 
1864. 
1.83 
1.52 
1.57 
.78 
i 
5 
8 
5 
9 
4 
5 
.24 
.26 
4.19 
.58 
1866. 
10.88 
2.12 
3.04 
.12 
1.46 
.04 
22.93 
2 
4 
10 
8 
16 
9 
12 
1 
6 
1 
69 
.11| 1 
3.35111 
15.16 18 
1867.! 
5.16:15 
7.20 9 
1.58 9 
2.36 8 
.04 1 
.20 1 
3.41 6 
10.69 18 
1868. 
9.50 17 
6.13 9 
6.30 12 
2.31 9 
.03 2 
.23 3 
38.84.78 
.15 
1.18 
4.34 
1869. 
6.35 
3.90 
3.14 
2.19 
.08 
.02 
21.35 
3 
5 
11 
14 
5 
12 
5 
2 
1 
58 
.12 
1.29 
1.19 
4.31 
1870. 
3.89 
4.78 
2.00 
1.53 
.20 
1 
2 
5 
7 
9 
9 
8 
4 
3 
10,08 
37 24.73 
59 
34.9271 
19.31 
47 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. • 
1876. 
Days 
Quantity... 
Quantity... 
P 
C/5 
Quantity... 
1 Days 
Quantity... 
0 
p 
C/5 
Quantity... 
0 
p 
C/5 
Quantity... 
u 
p 
C/5 
Quantity... 
Days 
July 
.03 
4 
.01 
1 
August 
.15 
3 
.02 
2 
September 
.03 1 
.03 
0 
.14 
1 
.83 
2 
.26 
3 
October 
.11 
2 
.21 
1 
.68 
2 
2.73 
8 
.22 
2 
.69 
7 
November 
.43 4 
3.72 
9 
2.62 
3 
1.31 
fi 
5.92 
7 
6.73 
15 
.23 
3 
December 
3.38 8 
16.74 
14 
7.25 
10 
10.12'20 
.28 
4 
3.08 
10 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
January 
3 07 7 
4.22 
10 
2.17 
8 
4.85 14 
6.97 
11 
6.41 
14 
4.36 
9 
February 
3.70 10 
6.97 
20 
4.24 
17 
1.83 10 
.20 
1 
3.96 
7 
1.14 
7 
March 
1.29 8 
1.64 
10 
.78 
4 
3.55 15 
1.08 
6 
4.37 
11 
.91 
7 
April 
1.93! 5 
1.10 
.52 
3 
1.04 
.02 
1 
1.04 
8 
.25 
6 
May 
.21 3 
.16 
3 
.01 
1 
.34 
4 
.11 
2 
.18 
1 
June 
.02 
2 
.08 
1 
.08 
2 
1.01 
3 
.02 
1 
14.10 46 
34.71 
79 18.02 
49 
24.98 85 
19.35 
45 
25.63 
69 
9.87 
45 MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL SYNOPSIS. 
January—The month, as a whole, was decidedly unpleasant, 
cold and winter-like. The snow that fell on the 31st of preceding 
month had nearly all melted off before the morning of the 1st, with 
exception of that on the foothills, which lasted through the day. 
Barometer stood 30.46, 10 oclock, a. m, on the 8th. 11.45 o’clock 
p. m., on the 23d, a severe shock of earthquake was felt, attended with 
a noise, and wave-like motion from southeast to northwest. Frost 
was seen on nineteen mornings, and for several days did not disap- 
pear during the day in shaded localities. 
February—Like the preceding month was cold and disagreeable. 
Frost was seen on fourteen mornings. On the 6th, a storm began 
at 6 a. M., of rain, sleet and snow, which fell in some places so 
as to cover the ground, or make it look white. Foot-hills white 
with snow. Barometer on the 17th, 2 p. m., 30.57. The last few 
days of the month weather warmed up with a decided change in the 
atmospherical temperature. 
March—Very pleasant. The last part of the month was rainy and 
warm. Two slight shocks of earthquake on the 30th. One, 7.42 
a. M., with two vibrations, from northwest to southeast, in quick 
succession. One at 7.50 a. m., a light shock. 
April—A pleasant month, very favorable to agricultural pursuits, 
rain and warm weather in the right time. 
May—Was unprecedented in the amount of rainfall, 3.50 inches. 
Not within the period of observations had so great an amount 
fallen in May. It had a tendency to keep back the ocean summer 
winds until the last few days of the month, when the season set in 
for the dry time. 
June—with the exception of the great atmospherical heat of the 
5th and 6th, was the average in weather for the month. The morn- 
ing of the fifth was clear and very warm. The thermometer at 
6 a. m., 78°; 7 a. m., 8i°; 8 a. m., 87°; 12.15 p- m-j 97°\ 2 p. m., 
940; 5 p. M., 910; 9 p. m., 76°—a very warm night. On the morn- 
ing of the 6th the sun rose in the northeast, warm and burning-hot. 
Tender plants and leaves were scorched and burned so dry they 
could readily be reduced to powder by rubbing between the fingers. 
At 10 oclock, a. m., a high wind commenced blowing from the 
N. N. E., which blew almost a gale until 2 p. m., when it veered METEOROLOGY. 
25 
round to the N. and N. W. A current of humid atmosphere from 
the surface of the ocean was poured into the excessively heated air, 
which in a few hours reduced the high temperature to temperate heat. 
The following shows the temperature of each hour through the hot 
portions of the day, and the relative humidity or atmospherical 
saturation: 
Hour. Thermometer. Humidity. 
5 o’clock, a. m 82 degrees. 45.5 
6 “ ££ 86 “ 38.7 
7 cc ££ 89 “ 37-3 
8 c- ££ 91 ££ 36.3 
xo “ “ 97 « 
11 ££ ££ 100 ££ 32.1 
12 ££ M IOO ££ 39.2 
1 ££ P. M 102 ££ 35.6 
x2 ££ c< x°3 “ 33-9 
2 ££ ££ 99 £ 36.2 
3 “ ££ 95 C£ 52-7 
4 “ ££ 93 ££ 54-8 
5 ££ ££ 81 ££ 59. 
6 “ ££ 7i ££ 75-4 
7 ££ ££ 68 ££ 79.3 
8 ££ ££ 66 ££ 83.8 
9 ££ ££ 65 ££ 84.3 
July and August—Weather about the average for the correspond- 
ing months of other years. Dry and cool. 
September—Light sprinkle of rain on the 2d and 21st. On the 
29th quite a heavy rainfall took place during the afternoon. The 
streets were well washed, and water ran freely in the gutters; the 
first rain appreciable to measurement of the season. Month quite 
pleasant. 
October—An earthquake occurred on the 10th, at 1 oclock, a. m. 
The rumbling noise that attended the shock was very loud and pro- 
longed, sounding like a heavy fire engine going over a street crossing 
and passing onward over the pavement. Wave, or vibration, from 
W. N. W. towards E. S. E. Chandeliers moved back and forth, and 
windows rattled in their frames. At 8.45 and 9.10 o’clock, p. m., 
two light shocks were observed. Oscillation from east to west. Light 
rains fell several times during the month,. but not of sufficient 
amount to benefit agricultural pursuits to any extent. 26 
METEOROLOGY. 
November—Was cold moderately frosty and dry. A high barometer, 
with a deep atmospherical current, was almost constantly observed. 
Rain fell several times in light showers. The great meteorological phe- 
nomenon was the luminous sunsets and sunrisings. On the 25th, 
previous to the sun’s rising, at the early approach of dawn, when 
twilight first made its appearance, a white, luminous color, of cres- 
cent shape, preceded the rising of the sun, gradually fading into a 
darker hue beneath the arch down to the line of the horizon. As 
daylight approached, this crescent of white light was gradually 
pushed up towards the zenith, changing in color to a reddish pink, 
with a pale green hue beneath. The arch or crescent had an appar- 
ent diameter of 60 degrees, and changed its hues to various colors 
as it vanished before the light of the sun. A hoar frost was on the 
ground in exposed situations; wind northwest, blowing a fresh breeze. 
A cool but pleasant day followed. As sunset approached, the 
western horizon began to glow with rose and pink tints, changing 
into red and lurid colors, extending high towards the zenith. No 
cloud was to be seen, no cause was visible for this lurid hue. The 
reflection upon all objects was that of a large conflagration in the 
distance. The sunset on the following day, the 26th, was still more 
grand in the display of color. A few long, dark, watery, stratified 
clouds in the west, lay motionless, like dark spots, on the evening 
sky, and, amidst the changing colors from every other direction, 
added to the interest of the scene which was taking place. At one 
time the whole visible horizon was a pale olive green, excepting the 
portion where the sun had set, which was a bright crimson changing 
into a deep, lurid red. These colors were so bright and luminous as to 
be reflected from all objects and surfaces on which the light fell, giv- 
ing to everything a peculiar and weird shadow. Long after 
sunset, when the ordinary twilight should have disappeared, the 
gorgeous display of changing colors held high carnival in mid air. 
This phenomena continued more or less each morning and evening 
throughout the balance of the month, the cause of which is not 
known or satisfactorily answered. 
December—The meteorological phenomena was marked by a deep 
N. W. current, high barometer, low temperature, frosty mornings, 
luminous twilights, occasional light rains, ground very dry, agricul- 
tural prospects gloomy. Many fear a dry season, as the rainfall has 
been less for the season than usual, but not unprecedented for Oak- 
land. The last half of 1877 but 4 inches of rain fell, in 1878 
3.38 inches, and in 1883 4.08 inches. MODIFYING CAUSES OF THE CLIMATE 
ON THE 
PACIFIC COAST OF THE UNITED STATES AND 
BRITISH COLUMBIA. 
It is said that every country in the world, to a greater 01 less 
extent, has a climate peculiar to itself. In many respects it may be 
similar to that of another, but not identical, for the various factors 
that go to make it are not always equally alike, or bring the same 
influences to bear on each individual region of the earth. It was 
once thought that climate depended mostly on latitude and the 
declination of the sun either north or south of the equator; but 
more recent observations show that many other causes which are 
independent of these modify temperatures and precipitation. 
The western coast of Europe and North America are examples of 
similar climate, modified by the same corresponding causes, ocean 
and air currents. Without entering into an extended inquiry over 
the various portions of the world in comparing climatic factors, which 
would be uninteresting to a majority of readers and embrace more 
than is designed to be written in this paper; therefore, the knowledge, 
positive and theoretical, of the climatic conditions that are imposed 
upon the western slope of the Pacific Coast, bordering on the ocean, 
from Alaska towards the south, and the causes as far as observed, is 
all that would interest the local or general reader. The same gen- 
eral causes that modify the climate of Alaska, British Columbia, 
Oregon and California, extending into Mexico, have long been 
known to meteorologists, and those who have made physical geogra- 
phy a study. But the many local modifying influences that these 
great currents of water and air meet with, as they impinge upon the 
northwestern coast of the continent, by high mountain ranges, 
inland valleys and solar heat, gives as various climates as the topog- 
raphy of the country is different where their influence is felt. The 
ocean curient that modifies the climate of the Pacific Coast, is a 
portion of the great equatorial current which is deflected northerly and 28 
METEOROLOGY. 
easterly when it meets the eastern coast of Asia. This current, a 
portion of the warm equatorial current, as it flows toward the north- 
west, washing the eastern shores of China and Japan, takes the 
name of the Japan current, or Kuro-Siwo. At or near latitude 50° 
and longitude 170°, it divides; one portion, continuing northerly, 
passes through Behring straits, the other south of the Aleutian 
Islands assumes the name of the Aleutian current. It advances 
eastward until it strikes the northwest coast of North America; then, 
turning acutely to the southeast, flowing along the western shore, 
until what is left is drawn into the great equatorial current at or 
near the Tropic of Cancer, again to make the circuit of nearly a 
quarter of a hemisphere. Various elements of this great current, 
when taken into consideration, that go to make it one of the phys- 
ical constants in the formation of climate, seems as yet but partially 
understood. Its depth, width, velocity and temperature have not 
been investigated as have some of the currents of the Atlantic 
Ocean. Professor Davidson, of San Francisco, seems to have been 
almost the only one who has given this subject any attention, with 
the exception of some casual observers, who have here and 
there made memoranda for their own curiosity. The professor 
starts with a maximum temperature of the Japan current of 88°, 
Fahrenheit. At Alaska, 50.06°. Six to eight hundred miles west 
from San Francisco, 60.33°; one hundred miles west, 55.05°. At 
the tidal station at Fort Point the mean temperature for eight years 
was 55.66°, that of the air being 54.97°. The mean temperature 
of the ocean nine hundred miles west of San Francisco for one 
year was 60.52°, as found by the ocean steamers going and coming 
from Yokohama to San Francisco. This shows a difference of tem- 
perature to be in the water of the ocean current one hundred miles 
to the west and that at the tidal station on shore to be .61° less; at 
six to eight hundred miles 4.67° greater; at nine hundred miles, 
4.86° greater or warmer. 
This great ocean current in flowing from its origin to the coast of 
California has parted with 32.340 of heat; or, in other words, has 
lost, from the average temperature of the equatorial waters (78°), 
22.340, and leaves an average surface ocean temperature, to the dis- 
tance of 900 miles west of California, of 57.89°. The temperature of 
the air along the coast, and the water, hardly ever raises more than 
two or three degrees, and the above figures show only 2.92° for the 
average difference in temperature of the water and air over a large METEOROLOGY. 
29 
area of the ocean contiguous to the Pacific coast, and gives an 
explanation of the low temperature at the base of the atmospherical 
column that rests on the ocean’s water. Also the great freedom 
from rain during the summer months, when the westerly winds over- 
cast and fogs prevail. 
For the purpose designed by this paper, the above is all the infor- 
mation that can be obtained bearing upon the temperature of 
the ocean’s water in the vicinity of this Coast, with the exception of 
the counter or eddying current, said to have been discovered by 
Professor Davidson; who in describing the great stream that flows 
across the ocean, remarks that “a branch of this current continues 
direct to the Alexandrian Archipelago, and, striking the southern 
part of the coast, is deflected to the northward and westward,” and 
calls it the warm Alaska current, which causes the high isothermal 
lines that exist directly on the Alaskan coast. 
The great aerial air current that moves with the ocean stream, is 
the counter trade wind of the northern hemisphere, and seems to 
determine the character of the climate, almost wholly, of California. 
As it this coast it is always the high current, and flowing 
from a westerly direction changing but very little the point of the 
compass at the same date of time in each year. 
It oscillates from the south of west at one portion of the year to 
the north of west at another, moving from north to south with the 
declination of the sun, and then back again. During the summer 
season it blows nearly from the west, and in the winter, being 
acted on by the polar winds, is given a more northwesterly direc- 
tion. 
Physical geography has so well described the great systems of 
atmospherical currents that it is superfluous to enter into a descrip- 
tion of all the winds, and the laws that produce them. Owing to 
solar heat, and the diurnal motion of the earth, three distinct belts 
or systems of winds are produced. Easterly winds in the tropical 
zone, westerly winds in the temperate zone and northerly or north- 
westerly in the higher latitudes. These zones of wind move bodily 
to and fro with the vertical rays of the sun, toward the north 
in summer, and toward the south in the winter. On the movement 
of these zones of water and air, rests the causes of the wet and dry 
seasons over the great area of country bordering on the western coast 
of the United States. 
The most philosophical and scientific dissertation, perhaps, on 30 
METEOROLOGY. 
this subject for depth of research, long and patient labor, appertain- 
ing to the wind currents, climate of California and contiguous 
territory, was made by the late lamented B. B. Redding, and read 
before the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, in January, 1878. 
His observations are as follows: 
“As California is within the northern temperate zone, it is pri- 
marily to the movement as a body north or south of this belt of 
wind that we are indebted for our dry summers and winter rains. 
Where, within the tropics the northeastern and southeastern trade 
winds meet, isa region of calmsand rains. This belt of calms and rains, 
as has been stated, moves northward and southward with the sun’s 
declination. Where, within the temperate zone, the northern and 
northwesterly winds from the polar regions meet the westerly return 
trade winds, is a region of storms and rains. These belts also follow 
the sun’s declination north and south. Applying these laws to this 
coast; at our midsummer, the vertical sun would be on the Tropic 
of Cancer, and in that vicinity the northeasterly and southeasterly 
trade winds would meet, create ascending air, consequently calms; 
this air, laden with moisture, would rise into cooler regions, when a 
portion of its moisture would be precipitated, making tropical rains; 
this air would flow north and south towards the poles. Confining 
our view to that portion which would flow toward the north pole, 
the larger part of it must descend to the earth within thirty degrees 
of latitude, under the law, as stated by Professor Henry; as in going 
north it continuously has to pass over a portion of the earth which 
is moving less rapidly than the portion it has left, it is deflected and 
become a southwest wind. The greater portion of this upper cur- 
rent having descended to the earth within thirty degrees and 
returned to join the trade wind, the remainder would flowr towards 
the pole, portions descending in its course at all points where the 
rarification of the air near the earth’s surface would permit. These 
descending currents cause the local variable winds of our temper- 
ate zone, but the aggregate of all of them is the prevailing west- 
erly return trade wind. The descending currents cannot give rain, 
as they only fall to the earth when they become colder than the air 
near the earth’s surface. In falling they are constantly arriving at 
places of warmer temperature than those they have left; they, there- 
fore change to a condition of taking up moisture, rather than of parting 
with it. JVhere the great body of the descending return trade wind reaches 
the earth between latitudes twenty-eight degrees and thirty-five degrees METEOROLOGY. 
31 
must, therefore, on this coast, be comparatively a rainlessregion. Other 
lessening portions of the upper current would pass on until they met 
the prevailing northerly wind from the polar regions, when their 
temperature would be lowered and their moisture condensed and 
fall as rain. The conflict of this descending current with the polar 
wind would create storms and give rise to electrical phenomena. 
The prevailing northerly polar wind reaches to about latitude sixty 
degrees, varied by the declination of the sun. 
“This view of the causes of the tropical, temperate and polar 
zones of prevailing winds, is in accordance with the theoretical 
deductions of Professor Ferrell concerning the course of atmos- 
pheric currents moving on a sphere, and appears to be confirmed 
by the belts of low barometer prevailing in the vicinities of the 
equator, and of latitude 60 degrees. The polar wind, being colder, 
is heavier than the return trade wind, and where they meet, the 
tendency is for this polar wind to become a surface wind, and pre- 
vent the upper current from reaching the earth until it has been 
reduced to the same temperature. The operation of these general 
laws can be more clearly seen on this coast than on that of the 
Atlantic and Gulf States. There, the northeast trade winds are 
forced into the great cauldron of the Gulf of Mexico. The Cordil- 
leras of Central and South America and Mexico form a wall against 
their progress; they rise, turn to the north as an upper current, and 
return to the earth as southwest winds. 
“The Rocky Mountains, one great chain of which extends from 
the center of the continent northwesterly to the Arctic Ocean, 
assist in the deflection. The great prairies extend in an unbroken 
line in the same direction from the mouth of the Mississippi, to the 
same frozen ocean at the mouth of the Mackenzie River, in about lat- 
itude sixty-two degrees. Professor J. W. Foster, in his work on the 
“ Physical Geography of the Mississippi Valley,” states that the 
sources of the Mississippi River are but 1,600 feet above the 
ocean. Professor Coffin has shown from the records in the 
Smithsonian Institute in his article on the “Winds of the Northern 
Hemisphere,” that between latitudes sixty and sixty-six degrees 
there prevails a belt of easterly and northeasterly winds. These 
winds, coming from the Arctic ocean, meet the great chain 
of the Rocky Mountains, are deflected into northwest winds 
and pass unobstructed along this great stretch of prairie land 
into the States east of the Rocky Mountains. The conflict between 32 
METEOROLOGY. 
the northwest polar winds and the moisture-laden southwest winds 
from the Gulf of Mexico, gives all the Atlantic States north of Flor- 
ida their summer rains. As far back as 1850, Professor Espy, in 
his second report on meteorology to the Secretary of the Navy, 
without, at that time, more than suspecting the cause, reported as 
the result of a long series of observations, that in the northern part 
of the Atlantic States the winds generally, in great storms, set in 
from north of east and terminate from north of west, and in the 
southern part of the Atlantic States they set in from south of east 
and terminate from south of west. 
“It is doubtful if the Atlantic trade winds ever give rain to Cali- 
fornia. That portion which passes the mountains through the val- 
ley of the Rio Grande, precipitating its moisture on the White 
Mountains and Black Hills of Arizona, which, by the meteorolog- 
ical records of the Smithsonian Institute, are shown to have an 
annual average of twenty inches of rain. 
“That these general laws may be applied to California as the cause 
of our climate, I will assume to follow a given portion of air along 
well known points on the coast. At midsummer, at noon, the sun 
would be vertical in Southern California just north of Cape St. 
Lucas. In this vicinity, this portion of air, having been a part of 
the trade wind, would have become heated and saturated with 
moisture. It would rise until it met colder regions, when it 
would part with some of its moisture; a portion would return to the 
earth within thirty degrees, again to join the trade winds, and 
another portion pass on towards the north as a part of the great 
upper current. Under the operation of Professor Henry’s law, the 
greater part must return to the earth between latitude thirty degrees 
and, say, latitude thirty-five degrees; the remainder would flow on 
towards the pole until it met the prevailing northwesterly winds; at 
these points there would be fogs and summer rains. Whenever the 
polar wind forced its way south of this, it would condense the moist- 
ure of these descending return trade winds and give rain. This they 
would do until they had passed so far south that their temperature 
would be raised to that of the descending return trades, when, of 
course, no moisture could be precipitated. It is these polar winds, 
forcing themselves among the descending return trade winds, that 
give British Columbia, Washington Territory and Northern Oregon 
their summer showers. Should they force themselves further south, 
they, in their passage, have to pass into warmer latitudes; they METEOROLOGY. 
33 
would also meet the heat of our great valleys and deserts, and 
and become as warm as our prevailing summer wind, and, there- 
fore, could not give California summer rains. 
“But, from midsummer, the sun is for six months moving south, 
taking with him the great belts of winds of the tropical, temperate and 
polar zones, until, at our midwinter, his rays are vertical just north of 
the northern part of Chile, in South America. These belts, moving 
south with the sun during six months, the region of conflict between 
the polar winds and the variable winds which in summer was over 
British Columbia, Washington Territory and Oregon, has now moved 
south over Oregon and the northern and middle part of California. The 
temperature of the earth’s surface and the air in contact with it, 
have been lowered by the withdrawal of the sun’s more direct rays, 
and the polar winds are permitted to reach further to the south with- 
out increasing their temperature. The region of calms and the 
southern limit of the variable winds have, of course, also moved 
south with the sun, beyond the Tropic of Cancer. At this season, 
in the Pacific, the trade wind is not usually found north of latitude 
thirteen degrees, when, in winter, the descending return trade wind, 
coming from the southwest, meets the coast south of Cape St. 
Lucas, it is forced by the Cordilleras and the configuration of the 
main coast into the Gulf of California, and is deflected into a course 
from the southeast, or, to be more exact, as shown by the records 
kept by Dr. Gibbons, into a course from the south-southeast. With- 
out doubt, the southwest return trade wind which strikes the coast 
of Lower California in winter north of Cape St. Lucas, is deflected 
by the high mountains parallel to the shore, and also passes over 
our coast counties as a southeast wind. H. S. Warner, in a paper 
read before the American Association for the Advancement of Sci- 
ence at its Baltimore meeting in 1858, was the first to note the fact 
that the waters of the Gulf of California supply the moisture to the 
southeast wind that bears to us our rains. It may be objected that 
the Gulf of California has not sufficient area from whence could be 
delivered the great volume of southeast winds that, at times, during 
our winters, flow over this State. The Gulf is not the cause of this 
wind, but it is the channel through which it flows, and gives to it 
direction. When the sun is vertical on the coast of Bolivia, just 
north of Chile—at our midwinter—he has carried south with him 
the northeast trade winds,'until, as has been stated, they do not pre- 
vail north of about latitude thirteen degrees. The region of calms, 34 
METEOROLOGY. 
where the great body of the upper current returns to the earth again 
to join the trade winds, is, at this season, between latitudes thirteen 
and eighteen degrees. North of this region of calms, at this time, 
those portions of the upper current which pass further north, descend 
to the earth, under Professor Henry’s law, as southwest winds. At 
latitude twenty degrees, the west coast of Mexico projects a bold 
headland into the Pacific Ocean, known as Cape Corrientes. South 
of the Cape the trend of the coast for nearly two thousand miles is 
east-southeast; north of this cape, the trend of the coast for more 
than one hundred miles, to Mazatlan, is north; from Mazatlan to the 
head of the Gulf of California, a further distance of six hundred 
miles, it is north-northwest. The Sonora arm of the Cordilleras 
rises above the table land of Mexico, at latitude twenty degrees, and 
runs north-northwest along the coast, nearly to the head of the Gulf 
of California. All of these southwest winds that strike the coast 
from Cape Corrientes north to Cape St. Lucas, are deflected by 
these mountains and forced up the Gulf as south-southeast winds. 
The United States Coast Survey have lately completed the survey 
of this gulf and parts of the Mexican coast north of Cape Corrientes. 
When their record of observations of the course of the prevailing 
winds in winter, the barometric pressure and the temperature of 
the air and water is published, I feel confident that it will be found 
that the southwest return trades prevail in winter north of Cape Cor- 
rientes, and are turned by the mountains and the coast up the Gulf 
of California, and so over this State as our southeast winds. It 
comes from this gulf warm and laden with moisture, and passes 
over the Colorado and Mojave deserts. These deserts, as shown by 
the meteorological records of the Smithsonian Institute, have a mean 
winter temperature of from forty-eight to fifty-six degrees. This is 
not sufficiently low to precipitate its moisture, and it passes on until 
it meets the Sierra Nevada and Coast Range. In ascending these 
it rises into cooler regions, finds a mean winter temperature of forty 
degrees and gives up some of its moisture. When it flows down into 
the southern end of the great valley of the Tulare, it meets a mean 
winter temperature of forty-eight degrees, which is higher than that 
of the mountains it has just passed. It therefore retains its moist- 
ure and passes on, until it meets a cold polar wind, and has another 
portion of its moisture condensed in a rain-storm, or, failing to meet 
this, passing still further north, until its moisture is condensed by 
the prevailing low temperature of a higher latitude. It is of frequent METEOROLOGY. 
35 
occurrence in winter that a gentle southeast wind will blow for days, 
giving no rain south of the latitude of San Francisco, but cloudy 
weather at the northern end of the Sacramento valley, and light 
showers and rains from Red Bluff to Oregon. Therefore, the north- 
ern part of the State should receive more rain than the southern, and 
the mountains more than the valleys. The least rain should be in 
the hot deserts and on those sides of valleys most sheltered by mount- 
ains from the moisture bearing winds.” 
Meteorological observations, taken since the writing of the above 
fully confirm the assertion made respecting the rainfall, however 
phenomenal it may appear to be, and show, conclusively, that the 
precipitation in all the territory tributary to the influence of the 
above factors of climate, is subservient to meteorological laws, the 
same as in other parts of the world, differing only as the physical 
causes differ that produce the resultant effects. The average annual 
rainfall at Crescent City, in the extreme northern part of the State of 
California, is thirty-six inches, and diminishes about two inches for 
every degree of latitude towards the south, until, at San Diego, it is 
but ten inches. In altitude, it is found to increase about one inch 
for every one hundred feet in elevation in ascending the windward 
side of the Sierra Nevada range of mountains. Local causes have 
influences bearing upon the amount of rainfall in different localities, 
but they are nearly all topographical; and, when carefully studied, 
are easily explained, either for the small or great amount of average 
rainfall they receive.