Abstract
A USEFUL discussion of the cloudiness and sunshine of North America, by Mr. A. Gläser, is contained in Aus dem Archiv der Deutschen Seeowarte, vol. xxxv., No. i, based on published data from available sources. The subject is treated in considerable detail as regards time and place, and is illustrated by copious tables and diagrams. The few following points may be mentioned among the general features referred to. In the westward districts westerly winds bring most cloud, clear sky in summer being1 due to the higher saturation point of the air. Eastward of the Rocky Mountains tha sky is clearer, but with northerly and southerly winds the spring is the most cloudy season. The winter barometrical minimum in the North Atlantic causes easterly winds in the eastern States, and these, mixing with the relatively warm air of the coast, produce a large amount of cloud. The high pressure in the south-east in autumn causes clear weather; in the south the greatest clearness occurs towards the end of winter. In the south-west of the United States and western Mexico the warm winds of the Gulf of California cause much cloud in summer; the clearest season is spring, and the dry northerly winds of the northern portions bring clear weather in autumn. The most bright sunshine is found in the south-west of the continent, and the least in the north west and north-east, where the sun's power is natur ally much weaker. In the region east of the Rocky Mountains there is comparatively little change in pro ceeding from south to north.
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Meteorological Reports and Summaries . Nature 91, 489–490 (1913). https://doi.org/10.1038/091489a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/091489a0