Pat Shingleton for Feb. 22, 2012

Recognizing the birthday of our first president on this date in 1732, we review weather-related excerpts from his diaries. As noted in a previous column, George Washington was not a scientific observer of the weather, as was Thomas Jefferson. His weather interests mirrored his agricultural interests and in writing to his farm manager, William Pearce, on Dec. 22, 1793, he recognized the importance of a thermometer at Mount Vernon. His diary notes the weather difficulties he experienced, including his seasick days during a stormy voyage to Barbados and the cruel winter at Valley Forge. An ill-advised horseback ride in a December storm could have contributed to his death. His prized weather instrument was the weather vane, remaining in use atop the cupola at Mount Vernon.

Fastcast: Warm, comfortable.