| RefNo | AP/25/10/1 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Manuscript, 'On the proportions of the prevailing winds, the mean temperature, and depth of rain, in the climate of London; computed through a cycle of eighteen years, on periods of the Moon's declination' by Luke Howard |
| Date | 31 March 1841 |
| Description | Howard investigates the periodical variations of the winds, rain and temperature, corresponding to the conditions of the Moon’s declination over a period of years extending from 1815 to 1832 inclusive. In each case he gives tables of the average quantities for each week, at the middle of which the moon is in the equator, or else has either attained its maximum north or south declination. He finds that a north-east wind is most promoted by the constant solar influence which causes it, when the moon is about the equator, going from north to south; that a south-east wind, in like manner, prevails most when the moon is proceeding to acquire a southern declination; that winds from the south and west blow more when the moon is in her mean degrees of declination, going either way, than with a full north or south declination; and that a north-west wind, the common summer and fair weather wind of the climate, affects, in like manner, the mean declination, in either direction, in preference to the north or south, and most when the moon is coming north. He finds the average annual depth of rain, falling in the neighbourhood of London, is 25.17 inches.
Includes four colour diagrams and a letter from Howard explaining his methods of collecting meteorological data. Annotations in pencil and ink throughout.
Subject: Meteorology
Received 1 April 1841. Read 22 April 1841.
Written by Howard in Tottenham [London].
A version of this paper was published in volume 131 of Philosophical Transactions as 'On a cycle of eighteen years in the mean annual height of the barometer in the climate of London, and on a constant variation of the barometrical mean according to the Moon's declination'. |
| Extent | 40p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink and graphite pencil on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| RelatedMaterial | DOI: 10.1098/rstl.1841.0021 |
| DOI: 10.1098/rspl.1837.0160 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA4515 | Howard; Luke (1772 - 1864) | 1772 - 1864 |