U. S. Department of Agriculture, Weather Bureau NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEVADA STATE WEATHER SERVICE In Co-operation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Weather Bureau For the Year Ending December 31, 1896 C. W. FRIEND, Director R F. YOUNG, U. S. Weather Bureau, Assistant Director REPORT. OFFICE OF THE NEVADA STATE WEATHER SERVICE, To His Excellency REINHOLD SADLER, Governor of Nevada: SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith my official report for the year ending December 31, 1896. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. W. FRIEND, Director. ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1896. The value of data and statistics pertaining to climatology and periodic and ephemeral weather changes is becoming more appreciated each year. In all portions of the country, especially in cities and towns of the East, there is a constantly increasing inquiry at Weather Bureau offices, libraries, etc., having on file Weather Bureau and State Weather Service publications, for information relative to the climate of other sections and States. It is not for information pertaining to the healthfulness of a climate alone, but also as to its adaptability to the carrying on of various industrial pursuits, for it is a wellknown fact that atmospheric changes and conditions are important elements to be considered in connection with the establishment of many enterprises. A knowledge of the temperature, humidity of the atmosphere, rain and snowfall, frosts, the diurnal and seasonal changes, is of great importance to agricultural pursuits, and its usefulness to manufacturing and commercial enterprises is rapidly increasing. It will be seen, therefore, that the gathering and tabulating of meteorological data is destined to aid materially in locating industries where the climatic influences will be most favorable to them. It is already well established that the climate of this State is second to none in healthfulness, and it only requires an examination of the crop reports gathered by the State Weather Service during the past few years to disclose the fact that Nevada has many undeveloped resources, which, with energy directed in the proper channels, will at no distant day make her a populous and permanently prosperous State. The study of the climate of the arid regions is of especial importance on account of its close relation to the subject of irrigation. There are large areas of land in this State which must depend for water supply upon the annual precipitation in the vicinity, and no large irrigation enterprise will be undertaken without a close study of rain and snowfall statistics, which, to be of any great value, must extend over a long period. STATIONS. The present number of stations from which reports are received is fifty-three; consisting of fifteen Southern Pacific agents, thirty-six voluntary observers appointed by the State and two Weather Bureau stations. Out of this number forty-seven are supplied with ther mometers, and six with rain-gauges only. During the year five rainfall stations have been discontinued on account of change of residence and other causes. The names and locations of these were as follows: Breen Ranch, Currant and Twin Springs in Nye county, Cortez in Eureka county, and Marlette Lake in Washoe county; also two stations equipped with standard thermometers—Gold Hill in Storey county, and Silver Peak in Esmeralda county. To offset the loss of these latter, however,, two more important stations have been established, viz: Sodaville in Esmeralda county, and Midas in Nye county, both of which are well located, so that on the whole the loss in stations is not important. REVIEW OF THE WEATHER FOR 1896. TEMPERATURE. The average temperature for the State for 1896 was 48.7, or 0.2 below the normal. The greatest excesses in temperature were in the montlis of January, February and December, and the greatest deficiencies in April, May and November. The coldest month was January, with an average of 33.9 degrees for the State, and warmest was July, with an average of 72.7. The highest temperature recorded was 117 at St. Thomas, June 16th, and lowest 26 below zero at Stofiel on January 13th. The principal section where excess of temperature occurred was in the western portion of the State, including portions of Nye, Lander, Churchill and Washoe The greater portion of the State was deficient in tem counties. perature. PRECIPITATION. The average precipitation for the State was 10.61, or 1.06 above the yearly normal. The greatest excesses occurred in May, July and August, and deficiencies in February and December. The sections receiving the greatest excess were the eastern portion of Elko county, northeast portion of Humboldt, Washoe, Ormsby and Esmeralda counties. The greatest annual amount was 30.50 inches at Lewers' Ranch, and least, 3.31 inches, at Las Vegas. The greatest excess in precipitation was 5.92 inches at Lewers' Ranch, and greatest deficiency, 4.51 inches, at St. Clair. The snowfall was much lighter than usual, which would naturally result from an excess of precipitation in spring and summer and deficiency in winter months. The average for the State was 25.0 inches. The greatest was 66.1 inches at Palmetto, while in the southern portion of Lincoln county only a trace fell. FORECASTS. Professor Willis L. Moore, Chief of Weather Bureau, in November informed the Central Office that the existing appropriation for that purpose would permit of an extension of the telegraphic fore |