49

the year, contained in Hudson bay; also because it comes within the sphere
of influence of the warm winds from the Pacific, and because of its soil
covering.

Precipitation is fairly uniform ae the whole basin sedi is nowhere
excessive. It is in general slightly higher than’ that which obtains on the
prairies of Alberta and Saskatchewan, but nowhere as heavy as it is on either
the Atlantic or Pacific coasts. The total precipitation ranges between 15 and
20 inches annually and the snow in the central portion of the basin lies usually
to a depth of about 2 feet. Snowfall is somewlrat greater in the mountains to
the west where the total precipitation too is higher.

The whole basin is wooded and although storms and blizzaidé oceur occa-
sionally they are by no means as violent as they are on the prairies because of
the protection of the forests.

The great inland bodies of water, ‘Athabasca: Great Slave, and Great Bear |

lakes, have a large influence in lowering summer temperature and retarding the
advance of spring in the country adjacent to them because ice remains in them
until late in June and in the northern lakes even until July. On the other hand,
the influence of the warm winds from the Pacific in raising the temperature is
felt along the eastern slopes of the mountain as far north as Liard river. These
winds; commonly known as chinook winds, are particularly noticeable in the
’ upper Peace River country and frequently bring warm waves during the winter
months sufficient to melt the snow. They are not so prevalent in the summer
months, but it was noticed by Dr. G. M. Dawson in the Peace River country in
1879, that summer frosts usually occurred on calm clear nights following a high
wind from the west.

Temperatures during the day, even as far north as the delta of the Mapkonrs,
occasionally reach a maximum of about 85 degrees F. during the months of
June, July, or August, but there is usually a decided drop as soon as the sun
goes down. The nights, therefore, are always cool, with the temperature rarely
above 50 degrees F., and except in the southern portion of the basin it is liable
to descend below tne freezing point at any time of the year. During the winter
the lowest temperatures ogcur in the month of January, when the thermometer
occasionally drops in the southern part of the basin to 45 degrees below zero
and in the northern part to 60 degrees below.

For the purpose of comparing the climate in different parts of the basin,
the following tables of temperatures for the year, at a few widely separated
points, are submitted. Those for Athabaska, Peace River Crossing, Fond du
Lac, and Resolution are for the year 1912, and those for a and Good Hope
are for 1900.

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