METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1902. 29 



Frost occurred on fourteen days, and its intensity is shown by 

 the fact that a total of 149° were recorded. The greatest amount 

 being registei-ed on the 13th and 14th, when the thermometer 

 fell to 11° and 10°, giving 21° and 22° frost respectively. The 

 latter proved to be the lowest reading of the year. 



The severity of the weather may further be illustrated by 

 stating that only on nine days during the month was the maximum 

 temperature above 40°, and on three days it did not rise above 

 freezing point (32°). The average maximum temperature was 

 39°, and the average minimum 29°, against 42° and 30° respectively 

 in February, 1901. There were twenty dry days, consequently 

 the rainfall was under the average, only 1 -40 inches being recorded. 



Consequent on the severe frost and low temperature, with little 

 snow covering to protect them, many plants suffered considerably. 

 The softer shoots of laurels and aucubas were blackened, and that 

 useful town shrub, Olearia Haasti, severely injured in many 

 places. Wallflowers were killed outright. None of the early 

 spring flowering plants were visible until the end of the month, 

 when a few snowdrops and winter aconites made their appearance. 



March. — The weather throughout this month was very erratic, 

 and the changes not always of the pleasantest nature. Strong, 

 cold, gusty winds, with frequent showers, characterised the general 

 condition, more especially at the latter end of month. The 

 barometric readings were low, and all under 30"00 inches. For 

 nearly three weeks the pressure was fairly regular, between 29 '30, 

 on the 1st. to 29-90, on the 16th and 17th. The pressure rapidly 

 fell for three days, and on 20th and 21st the barometer indicated 

 28*90 inches. A storm of wind and rain occurred. Thereafter 

 for five days the pressure rose steadily, but was very erratic 

 between the 26 th and 31st. 



Notwithstanding the cold feeling of the atmosphere caused by 

 the winds and rain, no great extremes of temperature were noted. 

 There was a remarkable absence of frosts for March, as only on 

 four occasions was the thermometer below freezing point, and the 

 total amount registered was 18°, of which 7° were recorded on 

 the morning of the 24th. The maximum temperature averaged 

 49°, and the minimum 37°. 



There were only eight dry days, but, despite the showery 



