METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1896. 105 



Meteorological Notes, and Remarks upon the Weather 

 during the Year 1896, with its General Effects 

 upon Vegetation. 



By James Whitton, Superintendent of Parks, Glasgow. 



[Read 29th June, 1897.] 



From the subjoined notes on the weather of 1896, it will be 

 observed that the past year presents an almost unprecedented 

 record of inclemency. For some years past, observation has 

 proved that the early months of spring have been the most 

 reliable and uniform, so far at least as the West of Scotland 

 is concerned. 



January. — The weather throughout the month was somewhat 

 unsettled, but, on the whole, open and mild. The first three days 

 were dull and wet, then, until the 10th, with the winds easterly, 

 it was dry and fine, with occasional frosts. A change of wind to 

 the west, and a rapid fall of the barometer, brought another spell 

 of disagreeable weather — cold rain, with frequent showers of snow 

 and hail predominating. These conditions prevailed until the 

 last week, when it became drier and milder. 



The changes of the pressure were steady until the 9th, when 

 the barometer, having risen to 30*78, rapidly fell until the 15th, 

 when it was down to 28*80, betokening the sharp N.W. gale, 

 with snow and sleet, which was experienced. The changes were 

 afterwards irregular, with an upward tendency towards the end 

 of the month. The amount of rain which fell was onlv I'oi 

 inches, and there were eighteen dry days. Frost was registered 

 on twelve da vs. but the total amount was onlv 55°, a marked 

 contrast to what was recorded in the corresponding month of the 

 previous year, when a total of 273° was recorded on twenty -nine 

 days. The average maximum temperature was 43° and the 

 minimum 34°, whereas in January, 1895, they were 34° and 23° 

 respectively. 



