214 J. HOPKTNSON IJEPORT ON THE 



Droughts in 1899. — Droughts — "absolute" of more than 14 days' 

 duration, or "partial" of more than 28 days with an average of 

 less than 0-01 inch of rain per diem — occurred in February-March, 

 May-June, and NoTember. The first absolute drought was in 

 February-March, at 24 stations, and lasted for 20 days, Feb. 16 to 

 March 7, at one station; 19 days, Feb. 17 to March 7, at three 

 stations; 18 days, Feb. 18 to March 7, at two; 16 days, I'eb. 16 

 to March 3, at twelve; 16 days, Feb. 20 to March 7, at one station ; 

 15 days, Feb. 17 to March 3, at three stations; and 15 days, Feb. 21 

 to March 7, at two. The second absolute drought was in May- 

 June, at 34 stations, and lasted for 25 days, May 25 to June 18, 

 at one station ; 24 days. May 25 to June 17, at twenty-five stations ; 

 23 days, May 26 to June 17, at two; 22 days, May 27 to June 17, 

 at five; and 19 days, May 30 to June 17, at one station. The third 

 absolute drought was in November, at 23 stations, and lasted for 

 21 days, Nov. 10 to 30, at two stations; for 20 days, Nov. 11 to 30, 

 at eight stations ; for 19 days, Nov. 12 to 30, at eight; for 17 days, 

 Nov. 14 to 30, at two; for 16 days, Nov. 15 to 30, at two; and for 

 15 days, Nov. 16 to 30, at one station. Notwithstanding this 

 ch'ought, November was the wettest month in the year, the first 

 nine days in the month being excessively wet. 



There was one partial drought in February-March at thirty 

 stations for 33 days, Feb. 16 to March 20, with an average of 

 0007 inch of rain per diem. At fifteen stations it lasted for 

 37 days, Feb. 16 to March 24, with an average of 0008 inch of 

 rain per diem. 



Distribution of the Rainfall throughout the Year. — Of the total 

 rainfall of 24*53 inches, 5-31 inches fell during the first quarter of 

 the year, 6"43 inches during the second, 5*00 inches during the 

 third, and 7 '7 9 inches during the fourth. During the winter of 

 1898-99 (Dec. to Feb.) 7 27 inches fell, during the spring of 1899 

 (March to May) 5'50 inches, during the summer (June to August) 

 445 inches, and during the autumn (Sept. to Nov.) 8*47 inches. 

 March and August were very dry months ; June, July, and 

 December were rather dry; in February, May, and September 

 the rainfall was about the average; January, April, and October 

 were wet ; and November was very wet, although scarcely any rain 

 fell after the first nine days, these days having nearly five times 

 their average fall. 



The diiference in each month from the mean for the half-century 

 was as follows : — Jan., +0'28in.; Feb., -|-0-31 ; March, — 0"9I 

 April, + 0-82 ; May, + 0-U7 ; June, — 47 ; July, — 0-68 

 August, —1-38; Sept., —0-25; Oct., +0-23; Nov., +1-02 

 Dec, —0-48. 



The absolute maximum falls in any one day in each month, and 

 the stations recording them, were — Jan. 15. The Maples, Hitchin, 

 <)-53in. ; Feb. 6, Moor Park, Eickmansworth, 0'60 in. ; March 28, 

 Datchworth, 037 in. ; April 16, Therfield, 0-93 in. ; May 12, 

 Welwyn and Datchworth, 0-84 in. ; June 30, Rose Cottage, 

 Berkhamsted, 1*28 in. ; July 22, Northchurch, 1-69 in. ; Aug. 15, 



