Old Cumbria Gazetteer - Cross Fell, Culgaith: Helm Wind


	Cross Fell, Culgaith: Helm Wind
	Helm Wind
locality:-	Cross Fell
civil parish:-	Culgaith (formerly Cumberland)
county:-	Cumbria
locality type:-	weather
1Km square:-	NY6834 (etc)
10Km square:-	NY63

evidence:-	old text:- Morgan 1759 placename:- Helm Wind
source data:-	MG02q055.txt "In the mountains of Westmorland, towards the north-west part of the county, a very remarkable phenomenon frequently appears, called a Helm-wind. A rolling cloud, sometimes for three or four days together, hovers over the mountain tops, the sky being clear in other parts. When this cloud appears, the country people say the Helm is up, which is an Anglo Saxon word, signifying properly a covering for the head. This Helm is not dispersed or blown away by the wind, but continues its station, till a violent roaring hurricane comes tumbling down the mountain, ready to tear all before it. Then, on a sudden, ensues a profound calm; and then again gradually the cloud gathers on the mountain, and the tempest alternately ensue[s]. This tempest however, seldom extends into the country above a mile or two from the bottom of the mountain."

evidence:-	old text:- Clarke 1787 placename:- Cross Fell item:- Helm Wind; wind
source data:-	Guide book, A Survey of the Lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, written and published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland, and in London etc, 1787; published 1787-93. goto source page xxxix:- "..." "As I am now to speak of the Helm-Wind, it may be necessary, for the sake of those readers who have not seen any thing of the kind, to premise, that Cross-fell is one-continued ridge, stretching without any branches, or even subject to mountains, except two or three conical hills called Pikes, from the N.N.W. to the S.S.E. from the neighbourhood of Gillsland almost to Kirkby-Steven, that is above 40 miles. Its direction is nearly in a right line, and the height of its different parts not very unequal; but is in general such, that some of its more eminent parts are exceeded in altitude by few hills in Britain, and perhaps not by any in England. As it rises in the interior part of the country, it has in some degree an effect on the weather on its different sides,"
source data:-	goto source page xl:- "similar to that which is experienced by the inhabitants of the Malabar and Coromandel coasts, occasioned by the mountain range that is extended from Cape Comorin along the Peninsula of Indus: For what are called Shedding-Winds generally blow on the contrary sides of this mountain from opposite quarters; also the rains which come from the Atlantic, and those which drive from the German Ocean, seldom extend with any great power beyond its summits, being sometimes entirely spent and exhausted upon them: so that Northumberland, and the corresponding parts of Cumberland, however similar in many respects, may in this be considered as different climates." "Upon the upper part of this lofty ridge there often rests, in dry and sunny weather, a prodigious wreath of clouds, involving in its whole extent, and reaching sometimes more and sometimes less than half way from its summit to its base; at this time, the other mountains in different quarters are for the most part clear of mist, nor are there any signs of rain. This mighty collection of vapour exhibits an appearance uncommonly grand and solemn; whether we regard its different shades descending from that gleaming whiteness with which the sun tinges the volumes of its upper surface, to that indiscriminate gloominess which to the distant spectator renders the plains beneath almost invisible; or the tranquillity which it preserves amidst the commotion issuing from it, and the currents of air which must be supposed to prevail in the higher regions of the atmosphere. Or, again, if we consider its vast bulk, which notwithstanding still represents the form of the mountain (corresponding with its elevations and depressions) so that the boldest head of Cross-fell, which is somewhat to the northward of the middle part of its range, is still distinguishable even in its Helm; for such is the name of that heap of vapour from which the wind of which we are treating issues. When this heap first gathers upon the hill, there is seen above it a black streak of cloud continually flying off, and continually fed from the white one, which is the real Helm: this is called the Helm-bar, from its being supposed to bar or obstruct the winds that burst forth upon the vallies beneath as soon as it wholly vanishes: its direction is parallel to that of the white cloud, and it seems in continual motion, as if boiling, or at least agitated by a violent wind; and indeed the wind which really does follow its removal is sometimes prodigious violent, varying with respect to the extent of territory which it affects, in proportion to the force and direction of what I shall here call the Real Winds. Sometimes when these are its direct antagonists, and in full force, it does not reach further than two or three miles; nor do I know, that, even without such impediment, it ever extends further than thirteen or fourteen; being interrupted in its progress by the vis inertiae of the air at large, or by some cause arising from the impulse of contrary currents. However, though it always bears a certain proportion to the force and direction of the real winds, its own intrinsic force is not always equal, nor is it found so, even at the foot of the hill; where, on account of the shortness of its course, the action of contrary currents, or the resistance of the air, cannot be supposed to have had any material effect in changing the degree of its power, or of interrupting its progress. It may however be remembered as a truth, that, near the base of the mountain, it is at times excessively strong, bearing almost every thing before it, though at a distances of a few miles it is not felt at all." "Such is the Helm-Wind generated in that enormous cloud, which, like a helmet covers the summit of Cross-fell. It is here particularly favoured by circumstances; for on one side there is a plain of above thirty miles in breadth in some places, and on the other no hills to rival that from whence it comes. This wind is not much taken notice of in natural history; yet the Dutch, by the iron chains with which they are obliged to moor their ships at the Cape of Good-Hope, bear ample testimony to the fury of such an one. It hath been met with by late voyagers in the South-seas; it is said to have been felt in the Straits of Gibraltar; and I doubt not but mariners and travellers have found it in many other places, though they may not have observed it with care, or may have given it different names. I apprehend that the land-breeze in the West Indies, though less violent and more regular, is similar to it; and I doubt not but there may be a helm-wind from almost every hill covered with a cloud in certain kinds" goto source page xli:- "of weather, though the resistance of similar winds from neighbouring hills may prevent its being taken notice of." "It may be remarked of this wind, that it generally blows from Cross-fell longest in the Spring, when the sun has somewhat warmed the air beneath, and does not cease till it has effectually cooled it: thus it sometimes continues for a fortnight or three weeks, which I consider as a peculiarity of the Helm-Wind of Cross-Fell. As such therefore, though I have not leisure to attempt the discussion of its various phaenomena, such as that of the bar, &c. I hope I shall not do a thing unpleasant to the philosophic reader, if I attempt to give an account of its general cause, which I shall do on the following simple principles." "The chymists know, that evaporation produces cold, and that of AEther is remarkable enough. To those who have not seen their method, or heard of it, I shall mention that of the brewers, who throw quick-lime into their large cauldrons when they want to cool them suddenly; and the effect, I apprehend, depends upon similar principles, though exhibited in a different manner: any man, however, may have a cheap proof of the cold produced by evaporation, by plunging his hand into water, and holding it up to the sun or wind, or both, at any season, to dry. Even waving all these as causes of the cold to be expected from vapours, the fogs hovering upon rivers are a sensible proof that the thing is so; which any one must have experienced still more forcibly, who has met with a rainy cloud, or a mere fog, upon the mountains in warm weather, and will have felt that such a cloud, even at a distance, can obtrude a piercing cold upon the warmest day in Summer. Now, whether it is by attraction, (which I think it is,) or any thing else, that hills detain clouds which wander in the region of their summits, belongs not to my purpose, since it is a thing known universally to exist wherever there are hills: and Cross-fell, probably from its vast length, height, and loneliness, is peculiarly powerful in detaining them; for it intercepts many, and there is no hill near whose attraction, or effects upon the winds, &c. may serve to remove them: thus they gather not into that shadowy indiscriminate mass of vapours which settle on hills before and during rains, but such as I have described. It will be easily conceived, from what is premised, that such an assembly of vapours will produce a proportional degree of cold around it; whereas the height of any hills in Britain, without such a cause, or a brisk wind, is not sufficient to produce any great degree of it. I have felt a suffocating warmth on the tops of some of them in a calm day, even when drifts of snow still remained, and were far beneath me. Such cold, therefore, must occasion a corresponding density in that portion of air on which it operates; and when the sun, by that more-continued action of his rays which belongs to valleys, has warmed the air in the country beneath in the day, or left it so in the evening, that air must be proportionally rarefied; and becoming lighter than that in a higher region, or at least lighter with respect to its situation, the equilibrium which fluids wish to preserve will consequently be interrupted: the higher air will thenceforward rush down to keep up this equilibrium, and in its course occasion the wind of which we are speaking." "I believe this account will correspond with all the circumstances attending the Helm-Wind of Cross-Fell. I think it necessary to mention again, that it blows until it has entirely cooled the air of the adjoining country, (for itself is very chill,) and is almost always terminated by a rain, which restores, or to which succeeds a general warmth, and into which the Helm seems to resolve itself." "..."

evidence:-	old text:- Harper 1907
source data:-	Guidebook, The Manchester and Glasgow Road, by Charles G Harper, published by Chapman and Hall Ltd, London, 1907. HP01p106.txt Page 106:- "... All the weather of Westmoreland is brewed amid the inhospitable altitudes of Stainmoor and Shap Fell which are, in addition, afflicted with the local phenomenon known as the "Helm Wind." This, perhaps fortunately for travellers, is not a winter's gale, but a playful blast that characterises the days of May and June. When the tourist reads, that it is strong enough to overturn horses and carriages, and that the noise of it may be heard twenty miles off, like thunder, or the roar of a cataract, he entertains serious thoughts of accomplishing this stage of his journey by rail. The Helm Wind derives its name from the "helm," or cap, of light clouds that rests immovably for hours in the sky at the time of its blowing. It blows across the fells of Westmoreland and Cumberland, rushing down their steep sides and lashing the waters of the Lakes into furious waves and driven spray." "..."

notes:-	"... when the Helm is blowing, a heavy bank of cloud, the Helm Cloud, rests along the Crossfell Range, and at a distance of three or four miles from the foot of the Fell, a slender, near stationary roll of whirling cloud, the Helm Bar, appears in mid air and parallel with the Helm Cloud. The cold wind blows strongly down the steep fell sides until it comes nearly under the Bar when it suddenly ceases ..."
	: 1930: Meteorological Glossary: HMSO

notes:-	Parkinson's Guide has:-
	"An old paper published in 1834 very aptly describes it, and we here produce the same verbatim:-"
	""Among the local disturbances in the tide of the atmospheric ocean, the Helm Wind presents the most striking example in the British Isles. Its resistless violence, amidst comparative calm in the surrounding districts, - its remarkable concomitants, - and the frequency of its recurrence, have rendered it familiar to every one in the neighbourhood, called forth curiosity, and roused enquiry in the most rude and careless observer."
	""In dark and superstitious ages the influence of the Prince of Air, or his subordinate agents, afforded a ready and satisfactory solution. But in these times, when the reign of the schoolmaster is daily extending to the most remote and secluded dales, a more matter-of-fact explanation is required. Accordingly, there have not been wanting hypotheses and theories sufficiently discordant with each other, and often not altogether consistent with the facts."
	""The following explanation will, perhaps, prove satisfactory to our readers, and for its more ready comprehension we have accompanied it with an engraving -"
	""In the first place it is to be observed that the Cross Fell chain extends for several miles from N. to S., at a distance of about 60 miles from the North Sea, the highest summit reaching 2,900 feet. The land may be considered to rise gradually, like a great inclined plane, till it reaches the above distance and height from the sea at Sunderland, Hartlepool, and Stockton, suddenly declining on the west, and forming a stupendous wall from N. to S."
	""Secondly. The Helm Wind occurs only when the wind blows from the east, or from an easterly point; as soon as it crosses the ridge it thunders with irresistable impetuosity along the western declivity and valley at the base, levelling every impediment in its course as it were an invisble avalanche. Nearly parallel with the summit of the mountain, but westward, a heavy cloud hangs, known under the name of the Helm-bar. Immediately beyond the limits of the hurricane the air is peculiarly agitated with eddies and whirlwinds, and blows gently from the west towards the bar, producing an opposite current."
	""In the next place it is to be remembered that warm air is capable of holding a much larger quantity of water in solution than cold, - that moist air is lighter than dry, - and that warm air is lighter than cold, - and lastly, the higher we ascend a mountain the cooler the air becomes."
	""To apply these facts to the Helm Wind, let us suppose a breeze from the east leaves the sea at A, of the temperature say of 60, - is forced up the inlcined plane, by the volume of the atmosphere behind, in the direction of the arrows a a a to B. It will consequently be reduced in termperature, and rendered incaable of holding the same quantity of water in solution, and therefore gradually deposit it in its course in the form of clouds, mist, rain, or snow. From the reduction of the temperature at B, say to 40, and deposition of moisture, it will rush down the precipice like a cataract, in the direction of the arrows b b; as it descends it will receive heat, till at C it again reaches 60, its attraction for water being thus increased, it will absorb it. From the addition of heat and moisture becoming lighter, it ascends, though, in consequence of the current from behind, it is prevented from returning up the mountain, therefore mounts in the direction of the arrows c c; again has it temperature reduced, say to 50, at D again deposits its moisture in the form of the cloud, the Helm-bar."
	"The violent commotion within the more immediate limits of the Helm must necessarily disturb and agitate the atmosphere in the vicinity, which will sufficiently account for the eddies, slight whirlwinds, and obvserse courses of the wind, as in the direction of the arrows E E."
	"The above is necessarily ony a very vgeneral statement of the phenomenon and its causes, our limits not permitting us to enter more fully into the explanation and illustration of the principles adverted to. At the same time those who have the desire and means of a more minute investigation of th theory here submitted will, we think, find it based upon principles which admit of demonstration, and that no unfair deduction has been hazarded from the facts.""
	I am not convinced.
	: 1920=1929 (?): Parkinson's Guide and History of Kirkby Stephen and District: Parkinson, J (Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland)

hearsay:-	Contrary to local opinion, this is not the only named wind in England. There is a wind called The Roger, Sir Rodge's Blast, or Roger's Blast, well known on the Norfolk marshes, documented as long ago as 1440.

	Brunskill, J: 1884: Helm Wind: Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: vol.10: pp.267-275 Deighton, H &Relph, J T (ed): 1974: Some Bits of Cumbrian Crack: :ale;nd Dialect Society:: article T'Hellum Wind Goodchild, J G: 1889: Helm Wind: Transactions of the Cumberland Scientific Association:: part 14 Manley, G: 1945: Helm Wind of Cross Fell, 1937-1939: Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: vol.71: pp.197-219 Marriott, W: 1889: Report on the Helm Wind Enquiry: Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: vol.15 no.70: pp.101-116 Sopwith, T: 1933: Account of the Mining Districts of Alston Moor: (Alnwick) Uttley, David: 1998: Anatomy of the Helm Wind: Bookcase (Carlisle, Cumbria):: with bibliography Watson, J: 1838: On the Helm Wind of Cross Fell: British Association: vol.7: p.33

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