METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE TEAR 1903. 167 



8 days during the year the temperature did not rise above 

 freezing j^oint; the same happened in 1902. January was the 

 coldest month, with frost on 13 days, totalling 113°. In 1902 

 January had 134° on 12 days, and February 149° on 14 days, 

 the latter being thus the coldest month of that year. 



The warmest month was July, with an average maximum 

 temperature of 62° and an average minimum of 50°. The 

 absence of heat is noteworthy, as the thermometer in shade 

 was only at 70° on thi-ee occasions during the year, while in 

 1902 it was at or above 70° six times, and in 1901 twenty- 

 four times. 



Throughout the year the winds were extremely variable, and 

 frequently of a boisterous natm-e. South-west winds, as usual, 

 predominated, and easterly winds were less in evidence than 

 in the two preceding years, the western gi'oup prevailing 283 

 days and the eastern 82 days, against 255 days for the western 

 and 108 days for the eastern in 1902, direct north and south 

 winds being excluded. 



While not so wide in range as in 1902, the barometric charts 

 show that the atmospheric pressure was more erratic in course 

 and varied in character throughout the year. The highest read- 

 ing was 30' 40 inches, which was noted on three occasions, viz. : — 

 14th January, 15th September, and 5th November. The lowest 

 reading was 28'50 inches on 27th February. The pressure was 

 71 times at or above 30 '00 inches and 20 times at or below 

 29'00 inches. The jfigures for the previous year were 90 and 11 

 times respectively. 



In regard to the temperature, it is somewhat striking, on 

 comparing the records, to find that the mean temperature for 

 the year is practically the same as that of the previous year, 

 which was one characterised by a want of sunshine, a low rain- 

 fall, with an unwonted prevalence of easterly winds. In the 

 year under notice we have the mean temperature similarly 

 low, though the operating causes appear almost diametrically 

 opposite. Even tliough the winds were more westerly, and 

 consequently milder, the abnomially heavy rainfall, conjoined 

 with the comparative absence of sunshine, liad as gi'eat cooling 

 effect on the atmosphere. 



Consequent on the natural rest of the season, intensified by the 



