i6 



The paucity of the rainfall in February is unparalleled during the time 

 of which 1 hold records, the nearest amount to it beinjj '29 in July, 1885, 

 and the nearest approach in any February being "51 in 1S87. This 

 drought was generally experienced over the whole of 1-^.ngland, save the 

 few northern counties, and reached its zenith in Bedford and Middlesex 

 where the rainfall only averaged just over a hundredth of an inch. The 

 proverb of "February fill dyke" is certainly untrue as regards Burton, for 

 February is here, allowing for the number of the days, the fourth driest 

 month of the year, March heading the list, January being second, and April 

 third. From March to July the rainfall calls for no comment, but fiom 

 August to the end of the year, wet months alternated with dry ones. 

 August was the wettest month of its name since 1881. 



The maximum temperature in the sun, 96"i, was registered on July i6th, 

 and the minimum on the grass, 21, on January 19th. The latter temperature 

 with the exception of — 07 recorded on December 22nd, 1890, was the 

 lowest for the past 16 years. The maximum temperature in the shade, 8o'5, 

 was not reached until September nth, the latest date during the past 16 

 years, and the lowest maximum since 18S3. The minimum temperature, 

 6" I, was recorded on January 19th. The last frost on the grass of the 

 Wmter 1890-91 was not registered till June 13th, twelve days later than any 

 previous year since 1876 ; the first frost of the succeeding Winter being 

 recorded on August 30th. 



South-westerly winds were the most prevalent during the year, blowing 

 on 74 days. 



UETAILFU REMARKS ON THE MONTHS. 



January opened with an unbroken spell of frost from ist to 22nd, which 

 reached its greatest severity on 19th. The Trent was frozen over from the 

 beginning of the month to the 24th, during the whole of which time there was 

 skating. From 22nd to the end the weather was mild and wet. Very little 

 snow and fog, and 21 frosts in the air, and 26 on the grass were recorded. 



February was a mild month and an extremely dry one, and was 

 accompanied by a very high barometer, which averaged 30*47 inches and 

 only once fell below 30. Thick fogs and hoar frost prevailed from 17th to 

 the end, but there was no snow. There were 14 frosts in the air, and 18 on 

 the grass. 



March opened with an exceptionally warm da\-, but the remainder of 

 the montii was, on the whole, cool. The rainfall was rather below the average, 

 but there was a fan' amount of snow, (iales blew from 2nd — 6th, and from 

 25th - 30th, and there were 12 frostb in the air and 18 on the grass. 



April, with the exception of the last day, was unusually cold, bitterly 

 1(1 winds blowing from 15th to 29th, but, save the first six days, which were 

 -\(.t, the month was very dry. Theie was thunder and lightning on 5th, 

 7 frosts in the air ar.d 17 on the grass, but no snow. 



