Abstract
THE recent prolonged drought in the British Isles has directed attention to an interesting aspect of meteorological science. It is natural to inquire how far the drought has been confined to our immediate neighbourhood, or how far it has been general. With the exception of Hilde-brandsson's pioneer work on action centres, no systematic research dealing with the extent to which drought has affected considerable areas of the earth's surface at one time has yet been carried out. A basis for detailed study of this character will be provided by the “Reseau Mondial,” published by the Meteorological Office, five annual volumes of which have now been issued. This publication gives pressure, temperature, and rainfall for about 400 stations distributed over the globe, the month being taken as a unit. In the present article it is proposed to make a preliminary survey, so far as material is already available, of the world's weather this year, particularly during the months May, June, and July. As no system of telegraphic reporting from “Réseau Mondial” stations has yet been established, we have to rely in making such a survey on the most recent monthly, weekly, or daily weather reports obtainable from the various countries, and, largely, upon general newspaper reports.
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The Extent of the Recent Drought. Nature 108, 15–17 (1921). https://doi.org/10.1038/108015a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/108015a0