Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1898 — Weather Notes by Cipher. [ARTICLE]

Weather Notes by Cipher.

All reports, communications and matters pertaining to the weather bureau are sent by wire in cipher. Economy and not secrecy, however, is the reason for its use. Though very concise, the cipher Is read at sight by any observer in the land. A full report from any station may be embodied in five words. In general the first word of the cipher gives, reduced, the barometric pressure and the dry thermometer; the second the wind direction, the state of weather and the precipitation; the third the velocity of the wind, the maximum temperature in the evening, the minimum temperature in the morning; the fourth, the dew print, the local prediction, fair oi’ foul; the fifth, the kind, amount and direction of clouds; the sixth, the maximum wind velocity and direction. It can easily be seen what a saving the cipher makes. —Exchange.