8 FORECAST FOR THE AUTUMN AND WINTER OF 1881. wintry. After a brief period of genial weather shortly after the middle of October, heavy and steady rains will be almost universal, and particularly so in western and southern areas. NOVEMBER, 1881, will probably enter cold and decidedly wet, but this condition will suddenly, after the first week, give place to open and genial weather again nearly everywhere, with a disappearance of frosts even in Northern New York and Canada for a marked period. We may expect some of the finest at any rate, most enjoyable-weather of the season during this month at New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, and in Canada our "Indian summer." In western sections the fore and latter portions of the month are likely to be disagreeable, but I do not anticipate much trouble from snowfalls or blockades this winter until December. Should such occur, however, it will likely be found that the dates of the disturbances will be very nearly the same as those of the November of 1880. Possibly there may be a period of unusual warmth in proximity to the middle of the month. There will be late fall-ploughing in Western Canada and in the Northwest, but in the last week of November a sudden and very severe fall of temperature will occur generally through Canada, with but little snow, if any, on the ground. This month will be marked by periods of balmy and brilliant autumn weather, as in the year 1877. DECEMBER, 1881. I hardly like the look of this month, viewed from the present standpoint (Sept. 18). It "looks ugly," and smacks of cold, bitter, biting cold, north and south, east and west, with but sparsely snow-covered ground in Northern New York and Canada, and bare ground west and south. The month bids fair to be cold and dry, rather than otherwise, and this cold may be somewhat proportionate to the heat of the past summer, and extend to extreme southern and western points. The entry of the month is likely to bring in winter abruptly in most sections where winter is usually expected and experienced. The first week of the month will probably give the first good snowfalls of the season in New York, Canada, and westward, with considerable bluster, while cold, stormy, and wet weather will be experienced in southern localities. Snowfalls will again occur about the middle of the month in Canada and the Northern United States, and during the last few days of the month, again, as far south as Washington, D. C., where it is probable the New Year will enter with fair sleighing for a brief period. These snowfalls, however, are not likely to be as marked and severe as those of the past winter; but, as I have already stated, the "cold dips" look formidable in most sections. As December is an important one of the winter months, and, further, is one about which I am particularly careful (as a miss there is generally a miss everywhere), I append the following more detailed forecast of it for the benefit of persons to whom the character of the closing month of the year is of special interest: A MORE DETAILED SKETCH. Dec., 1881.-1, 2, 3. Storms or indications of storms in Atlantic, and cold, blustery weather at New York, Boston, and other seaboard cities; snowfalls in the Middle and Northern States and Canada; very cold weather West. Probably a brief mild term. 7 to 11. Generally very cold weather, probably commencing and ending with snowfalls in northern, middle, and western sections, and bleak and stormy weather South. 13 & 14. Probably milder in all sections, with rains South and West to a limited extent. 15 to 20. Very cold and blustery period, with snowfalls where these were experienced in 1876 and 1880, the 19th and 20th probably being the days most marked in this respect; intense cold in Canada and the New England States. 25. Christmas has a cold and stormy period both before and after it, but the day itself may just escape. 26 to 31. After the 26th I see nothing but cold, snow, and bluster to the close of the year for Canada and much of the United States, West and South, the month probably resembling, in many respects, the Decembers of 1876 and 1880. As to the intensity or degree of these snowfalls, I have no very definite indications, but am strongly impressed in the direction of low temperatures for the fore part of the approaching winter season. But January will have its "thaw" this time, and probably a very marked one. FOR NORTHERN SECTIONS IN THE U. S. AND CANADA. December-Snowfalls are probable on the 2d, 4th, 6th or 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 17th and 18th, 26th or 27th, 29th and 30th. These dates include both light and heavy snowfalls, the former being far more numerous than the latter.' Cold snaps are probable on the 1st and 2d, 5th, 9th and 10th, 16th, 17th and 18th, 20th and 21st. (Coldest periods in Italics.) Mild weather probable 3d and 4th, 12th, 13th, 14th. Blustery weather is likely to occur on the 7th and 8th, 9th and 10th, 15th and 16th, 18th and 19th, 29th and 30th. GENERAL IMPRESSIONS. My general impressions respecting the winter of 1881-82 at the present time (Sept. 25) point to some very open and balmy periods of considerable duration toward midwinter; early and intense cold at the settingin of the season, and again toward and in March; a rather backward and wet spring, and cool, wet summer, with but few very hot periods. NOTE.-See January, February, March, etc. in their proper places in body of Almanac. END OF 1881. 30 30 M 19 CHARLES N. H. M. 5 38 morn. 10 27 morn. 11 15 morn. 2 25 morn. CHICAGO. H. M. 5 8 morn. 9 57 morn. 10 45 morn. 1 55 morn. This month its name distinctly traces In our new plans 'tis well to retrospect. The year will enter fine and moderate in the majority of sections, but with falling temperature toward or on the 3d,and cold snap,varying in intensity according to location, between the 3d and 5th days. Heavy snowfalls probable throughout Central Canada and southward to New York and Washington, with considerable bluster about the end of week (7th). EPIPHANY. 1st Sunday after Epiphany. Probably a day of storm generally. It is probable that this week will give a very cold term in northern and western sections; moderating toward the end of the week to heavy snowfalls in Canada and Northern States, and rains in more southern sections. 2d Sunday after Epiphany. Unsettled and stormy but moderate weather will likely characterize the entry of this week, with blustery and drifty weather in the West and rain to the southward, followed by still milder weather and alternations of snow, sleet, and rain in northern sections. An occasional fine day between these disturbances. 3d Sunday after Epiphany. Probably a continuation of the same fluctuations, but moderate weather, with snow- or rainfalls. Alternately frosty and mild. The 25th is likely to bring lower temperature. Cold weather in the North-west during this week. Very low temperature. Week likely to end mild, with snow and rains extending southward to New York and Washington. 4th Sunday after Epiphany. Mild and alternately rainy weather, with spring-like days, probable to 31 31 Tu the close of month. No indications of a change. 1876 entered, in most sections, with mild and rainy weather. 1877 entered in Canada and United States with heavy snow-storms. 1878 entered in Canada and United States cold, with but little snow. 1879 entered in Canada and United States blustery, and plenty of snow. 1880 entered in Canada and United States mild, rainy, and slushy. 1881 entered everywhere with very cold and stormy weather.. 1882 is likely to enter stormy, but to a less degree than '81. THE total snowfall at Montreal for January, February, and March, 1881, amounted to about 72 inches. Only 7 inches fell in February. Januar. Im allgemeinen wird das Jahr mit gelinder Temperatur anfangen; gegen ben sten etwas kälter; zwischen den 3ten und 5ten, sehr kalt, jenach die Gegend. In Central Canada und füdlich bis nach New-York, wahrscheinlich schwerer Schneefall und stürmisches Wetter gegen Ende der Woche. Epiphanias. 1ster Sonntag nach Epiphanias. Wahrscheinlich stürmisch. Im Norden und Westen, anfangs der Woche wahrscheinlich ehr kalt; gegen Ende der Woche gelinde Temperatur. In Canada und den nördlichen Staaten, Schnee; gegen Süben, Regengüsse. 2ter Sonntag nach Epiphanias. Anfangs der Woche, wahrscheinlich veränderlich, gelindere Temperatur; im Westen, ktürmisch; nach Süden, Regen; darauf folgend, noch gelindere Temperatur, und, in den nördlichen Gegenden Regen, oder Schnee und Regen untermengt. Inzwischen einige schöne Lage. 3ter Sonntag nach Epiphanias. Dieselben Veränderungen werden sich wahrscheinlich wiederholen, bei gelinderem Wetter, und mit Schnee und Regen. Abwechselnd frostig und mild, am 25ten wahrscheinlich erniedrigte Temperatur. Im Nord-Westen, kaltes Wetter, sehr niedrige Temperatur. Ende der Woche wahrscheinlich gelindere Temperatur, mit Schneesßtürme und Regengüsse die sich füdlich gegen New York und Washington erstreden. 4ter Sonntag nach Epiphanias. Abwechselnd schönes und regnerisches Wetter; von nun an bis zu Ende des Monats herrliches Frühlings Wetter. Keine Zeichen von Veränderung. WINTER OF 1881-82 IN GREAT BRITAIN. The winter of 1881-82 is likely to set in early and severely in Great Britain, with heavy snowfalls and extreme cold. The "tremendous snowfalls" are likely to be on the opposite side of the Atlantic this time. THE ENTRY OF THE WINTER OF 1880-81. SNOW was recorded in many sections as early as the 16th of October in the autumn of 1880, in the United States, Canada, and Scotland, and was accompanied by very stormy and wintry weather nearly everywhere; while in the spring of 1881 the latest snowfalls of consequence were recorded on the 15th and 16th days of April through Northern Vermont, and cold weather with frosts on the entry of May. Truly, then, it may be stated that the winter of 1880-81 was a long and severe one. Day of Day of Day of Week. 41 ΙΟ Fr 42 II Sa 44 12 S 13 M 46 47 14 Tu 15 W 16 Th 17 Fr 49 18 Sa 50 19 S 20 M 54 21 Tu 23 25 Sa 58 26 S 59 17 H. M. o 38 morn. CHICAGO. H. M. 3 41 eve. From Febus (meaning pure) this month doth claim Generally very mild weather, with heavy rains West and South. Frosty in northern sections about 3d and 4th days. The January mildness will extend well into February. Septuagesima Sunday. Changeable but generally mild weather, with occasional days of sharp frost and copious rains in western and southern sections. Light snow-falls in Canada and Northern and Middle States. Colder weather generally toward close of week. Sexagesima Sunday. Probably snow-storms West, and colder weather generally; moderating again to snows and rains, according to locality; altogether, a more wintry week. Windy and colder weather between 17th and 20th days, and snowfalls and drifts probable in Far West and in maritime provinces of Canada. Quinquagesima Sunday. Cold and stormy weather due in most sections. Mild weather generally for this week, with alternations of snow and rain in northern and Ash Wednesday. western sections. Rains in Middle and Southern States and Gulf ports. Stormy weather toward close of week, with general rains and high winds. 1st Sunday in Lent. Rains, sleet, and gales probably at New York about the 26th, and 28 Tu through Long Island Sound and adjacent parts, with scattered snowfalls in northern sections. Stormy weather on lakes and the St. Lawrence. Probably colder in proximity to last day of month. The month of February will this year be a somewhat exceptional one, with some very sudden transitions from frost to mildness. The February of the year 1877 was one of the most remarkable for mildness and scarcity of snow in northern sections on record for a long period of years; while that of the year 1881 was as remarkable for its unusual snowfalls and severity over the whole North American continent. In Canada this month is, in general, rather dry and cold than remarkable for its snowfalls; but of late years there has been much irregularity in our February weather. The month this year is likely to give, a good deal of mild and open weather. |