The Forecasting of Barometric Variations

Abstract

IN a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, vol. x., p. 219, 1884, I pointed out that during a series of years the barometric variations in Western India had presented certain features which, had they been known at the beginning of 1876, and, indeed, at the beginning of 1872, would have made it possible to have calculated with a considerable degree of precision and reliability the general course of the barometric variations from 1872 up to 1883, in some cases three months, and in some cases even twelve months beforehand. The facts brought forward in that paper were of such a nature that, as will be readily understood, I wished very much they could be found to occur generally. But it was undoubtedly better to restrict their application to the area and period dealt with in the paper. It having been shown, however, that at one period and over a certain area quantitative relations had existed between previous and subsequent barometric variations, it is natural to suppose that quantitative relations may be found to exist at other periods and over other areas also. The question arises, Can the facts brought forward in the above-mentioned paper serve as a guide to future investigation? I think to a certain extent they can.