THE FPtOSTS OF RECEXT YEARS. 295 



3rd to the lOtli) wlien the mean temperature at Greenwich 

 was 23-9, and the minimum 4 degrees. From imperfect 

 observations at Stroud it would appear that this frost was 

 less severe in the West of England, although still sufiicient 

 to admit of skating. 



3. A frost of remarkable severity for the time of year 

 occurred in March, 1845. At Grreeuwich the mean tempera- 

 ture of the 15 days from the 4th to the 18th was 29*0, and 

 in this neighbourhood the mean of the same period was 

 approximately 28, a minimum of 11 being observed on March 

 14th. There was skating as late as the 21st of March on 

 the lake at Stoke Park, the ice being from 4 to 5 inches 

 thick. 



4. The winter of 1853-54, although not on the whole 

 severe, included a remarkable frost of 13 days, from Dec- 

 ember 25th to January 6th. The mean temperature of this 

 period at Clifton was 28*5, and the two lowest temperatures 

 observed were 10*7 on December 29th, and 15'0 on January 

 3rd. At Nottingham on the latter day Mr. Lowe registered 

 a minimum of 4 degrees below zero. A heavy, drifting 

 snowstorm occurred on the night of January 3rd, blocking 

 the railways to such an extent that during two days no trains 

 passed between London and Liverpool. It was less felt here 

 than in some other parts of the country. 



5. The following winter (1854-55) was extremely severe. 

 The great frost of that season may be said to have extended 

 over 41 days, namely from January 15th to February 24th. 

 The mean temperature of this long term was 28*6, and the 

 mean of the 12 days when the frost was at its greatest 

 intensity, namely from February 10th to February 21st, was 

 as low as 23'3. The lowest temperature noted here was 11*5 

 on February 18th. The mean temperature of the month of 

 February at Clifton was 29*3, and at Greenwich that month 



