J. A. Kington

Daily weather mapping from 1781

AbstractAn account is given of the preparation of daily weather maps within the historical-instrumental period, with details concerning the detection and location of source material and its subsequent examination, collection and reduction to provide a workable synoptic network of comparable meteorological observations over the eastern North Atlantic-European sector.The application of the Lamb British Isles weather types and Grosswetterlagen for the statistical analysis of circulation patterns derived from these charts is discussed.An objective test was devised whereby the frequency of monthly extremes of nine variables was examined with the following important conclusions:i.the synoptic charts of the 1780s show no evidence of systematic errors when compared with rainfall figures,ii.the early 1780s was a period of unusually high climatic variability on the month-to-month time-scale, especially in the frequencies of cyclonic and of anticyclonic days. An account is given of the impact of climate on the affairs of man in the 1780s, highlighting some specific historical case studies and discussing agriculture and industry in general.

Great Historical Events That Were Significantly Affected by the Weather: Part 10, Crop Failure in Britain in 1799 and 1800 and the British Decision to Send a Naval Force to the Baltic Early in 1801

Abstract In 1799 and 1800, crop failures struck the British Isles. The crop failure of 1799 was due to the combined effects of the cold winter of 1798–99 and the cool and rainy growing season of the year. The summer was characterized by the prevalence of low-pressure systems resembling cyclonic weather patterns of the winter. The crop failure of 1800 was mainly due to a drought early in summer. In July there was either no rain at all (especially in the south) or the amounts were negligible. The general synoptic situation indicated an extension of the Azores High to Britain and beyond to central Europe. In the London area the pressure in duly was never below 1020 mb. The wheat harvests of 1799 and 1800 were about one-half and three-quarters of the average, respectively. The deficiencies could not be made up by imports, for, at least in 1799, the weather conditions were also unfavorable to grain production in the countries of northern Europe that were “traditional” exporters of grain to Britain. We estimate...

Family Background and Public Life

Details are given about Harmer’s family background and public life, including his education; homes in Norwich and Cringleford; marriage to Mary Lyon and their five children, John, Sidney, Edith, Thomas and William, John and Thomas following their father into the family business, Sidney becoming a zoologist and William a consultant surgeon; Harmer’s career in the family clothing business; interests in geology and palaeometeorology; membership of various geological societies and the Royal Meteorological Society; scientific awards; public duties in Norwich, Alderman (1880), Magistrate (1884) and Mayor (1887-1888); membership of two church congregations, first the Congregational Church, Norwich and later St Peter’s, Parish Church, Cringleford. Born in Norwich in 1835 he died in Cringleford in 1923, aged 87; correspondence with Charles Darwin.

Lindenberg Observatory meteorological flights and early studies of upper-level winds

A Historical Note is presented about meteorological flights made for the Lindenberg Observatory from 1920 to 1931. Key references to early studies of upper-level winds are also discussed.