Abstract
Zeitschrift der Oesterreichischen Gesellschaft für Meteorologie, Nov. 15, 1875.—Dr. Billwiller, of Zürich, contributes an article on a local occurrence of the northerly “Föhn.” It was formerly believed that the Föhn came from the Sahara Desert, whence it derived its warmth and dryness, but Hann showed a few years ago that, according to known physical laws, descending air becomes warmer and drier, that winds of the Föhn kind are not confined to the Alps but occur in other mountainous regions, and that the southern slopes of the Alps have a north wind, which is the exact counterpart of that called the Föhn. A mass of observations made in Switzerland have since proved the correctness of his theory. Herr Billwiller, from the data he has as yet examined, finds that isolated Föhn winds prevail only when a broad current flows over the whole Alps in the same direction, ascending on one side and descending on the other. But there are cases in which no perceptible upward movement can be traced on one side, and yet on the other the Föhn descends into the valleys from above. A difference of density, often great, is the cause of this. The lower strata being obstructed the outflow of air necessary to restore equilibrium comes from above. The merely local Föhn blows strongly down a valley, but on reaching the colder air of the plain mixes with it and quickly comes to rest. Tables are given showing meteorological conditions in particular cases.—The next article, written by Dr. Wild, and quoted here from the Annual Report of the Imperial Observatory at St. Petersburg, is a review of the work of the Meteorological Congresses of 1873 and 1874. Perhaps the most important result of these congresses will be the general use of more trustworthy instruments by official and private observers. The following advantages have already been gained: an international system of ciphers for telegraphic despatches throughout nearly the whole of Europe; an international form of publication in the following countries: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and part of Germany; and lastly, the establishment in many States of central institutions. We shall thus obtain better, more uniform, and more accessible data as a consequence of the late congresses.
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Scientific Serials . Nature 13, 218 (1876). https://doi.org/10.1038/013218a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/013218a0