The Weather of 1911

Abstract

WITH reference to Sir Edward Fry's letter in NATURE of November 16 in regard to the weather of 1911, without presuming to reply on behalf of meteorologists to his question as to whether any real cause can be assigned for the brilliance and heat of its summer and autumn, may I be allowed to suggest that the relatively high temperature of the North Atlantic, during the period, presumably conduced to warmth and sunshine? Since April the surface temperature of the North Atlantic has been, for the most part, above the average, and during the months of June to September, inclusive, largely above. Not only through the agency of winds from seaward has air temperature over our islands been raised by the abnormal warmth of the ocean, but also, it seems probable, through the diminution of cloudiness, and the corresponding increase of sunshine attributable to the small difference, thus ensuing between the temperature of the sea and that of the air above it.