204 J. HOPKINSON — METEOROLOGICAL OBSEEVATIOIfS 



In the year 1882 the atmosphere was warm, dull, humid, and 

 windy. The rainfall was about the average of the previous six 

 years and therefore much in excess of the mean for a long period, 

 and the number of days on which rain fell was unusually large. 

 The extreme range of temperature was less than it has been in 

 recent years, the lowest minimum recorded being considerably 

 higher than in any of the previous four years, and the highest 

 maximum being lower than in any of these years except 1879 ; the 

 mean range of temperature was however about the average. The 

 mean pressure of the atmosphere was below the average, but on 

 more than one occasion the pressure was very high, and once 

 (18th Jan.) higher than it has ever before been recorded in England, 

 very nearly reaching 31 ins.*; there was no exceptionally low 

 pressure, so that the mean range was not very great. The force 

 of the wind was on the whole greater than usual ; south-westerly 

 winds were more than usually prevalent, and north-easterly winds 

 were less frequent than usual. 



Compared with the previous year, in 1882 the mean temperature 

 was 1" higher, the relative humidity 4 per cent, greater, and the 

 rainfall more than 3 inches heavier. Rain (or snow) fell on 14 

 days more in 1882 than in 1881, and snow (only) on 14 days less. 

 The sky was more frequently completely overcast and less fre- 

 quently clear of cloud. The estimated force of the wind was the 

 same in both years. The greatest difference between the two 

 years is perhaps in the extreme range of temperature, which in 

 1881 was 85°-3 and in 1882 only 62°-7. 



In the winter of 1881-82 (Dec. to Feb.) the mean pressure of 

 the atmosphere and mean temperature were unusually high, the 

 relative humidity was great, and the rainfall rather above the 

 average ; except on one day in December no snow fell. In the 

 spring (March to May) the mean pressure was about the average, 

 the mean temperature and relative humidity were rather above it, 

 and the rainfall was about the average and less than in any other 

 season of the year. In the summer (June to August) the mean 

 pressure was low, the mean temperature much below the average, 

 and the relative humidity and rainfall were rather above it. In 

 the autumn (Sept. to Nov.) the mean pressure was unusually low, 

 the mean temperature and relative humidity were about the 

 average, and the rainftill was much above it, and considerably 

 heavier than in any other season of the year. 



In the following notes the general character of the weather in 

 each month, and its principal changes, are briefly referred to. 



January. — Very mild, with a calm and humid atmosphere, much 

 cloud and fog, but little rain, and no snow ; the first mild January 

 since 1878. The difference in temperatui-e between this and the 



* At St. Leonard's a height of 30-990 ins. was recorded on this date, being 

 one hundredth of an inch higher than at Watford. Although this is the highest 

 reading on record for Enghuul, it was exceeded by six hundredths of an inch in 

 January, 1820, at three locahties in Scotland. See " Quart. Journ. Meteorological 

 Soc," voh viii (N.S.),p. 153. 



