OF THE WEATHER, IN THE VICINITY OF CHESTER, ABOUT THE TIME OF THE EXCURSION.
Section 211. FOR more than ten Days before the Balloon-Voyage, the Wind had blown (interruptedly on Account of the Sea-Breeze) from South and South by West.
Monday the 5th of September:
A Conjunction of the Planet Mercury and the Moon, at one in the Afternoon.
Tuesday the 6th:
A violent Hurricane in the South of England, at London, Portsmouth, &c.
The same Day at Chester North-North-West, and distant from London 182 Miles; South-Breeze; Rain most of the Day. Thermometer at Noon in the Shade, 62: and 14 Divisions colder each Night, than the following Day, at an Average of five Years. Barometer, below Much Rain, viz. at 28 Inches 9⁄10ths.
Wednesday the 7th:
Violent Squalls from South and South-West, with hazy Air, till half past IV in the Afternoon. Thermom. 58; Barom. Changeable, viz. 291⁄2.
Thursday the 8th, which was the Day of the Excursion:
Much bright Sun. (On Enquiry) calm below till half past III in the Afternoon, then West Sea-Breeze: South-West Breeze above till half past IV. Calm bright Evening.
Also the upper Stratum of Clouds thin and white, in quick Motion, when seen from below till Noon: at which Time the Sky was almost cloudless: and, from above the upper Stratum, were seen, interspersed, Multitudes of detached Thunder-Clouds in large Masses, rising at Intervals, in the Middle of the upper Surfaces of white Clouds, and stretching above them.
Friday and Saturday moderate: South and South-West Breeze.
Sunday the 11th. The Planet Mercury stationary.
Cloudy Morn. South-West Breeze. Thermom. at 60 at Noon. Barom. above, Changeable, viz. at 291⁄2. Much thunder and Rain in the Afternoon.
212. Quere, Had the Thunder-Clouds on Thursday, tho’ not remarked by any from below, yet visible to a great Extent from the Balloon above them,—any Connexion with the Thunder that happened three Days after?
Weather, to be prognosticated, by Sight, from the Balloon
Answer: It appears to the Observer, that the Thunder was gradually collecting in the Air from Thursday till Sunday: and if so; will not Balloons, when more frequent, prognosticate the Weather, by Sight, better than any other known Methods?
