41 



mni^tX 0f 1865. 



January. — There was much snow at the beginning of the month. 

 In the north it was generally about 6 inches deep, and it extended even 

 to Cornwall. Snow also fell heavily on and after the 25th in many parts 

 of the country, the average depth being about 9 inches. In south Wales 

 the fall was greater than any during the past 40 years. The number of 

 days snow fell in Halifax during this month was 13. Eain fell on 8 days 

 The weather was stormy on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th; and on 

 the 14th a violent storm from the S. swept over the whole country 

 doing much damage. Hail fell once. 



February. — There was a little lack of water in the north-western 

 counties this month ; much of it fell as snow. The heavy snow at the 

 end of January had scarcely disappeared when most parts of England 

 and especially the northern counties and Scotland, were again coated 

 8 inches thick. Many lives were lost and railways blocked; and the 

 losses in cattle and game were tmusually great. The game sufEered more 

 than in any winter since 1838. Snow fell on 11 days in Halifax, and 

 rain on 10 days. Hail fell on 3 days. A severe storm passed on the 

 18th and 19th from the N. W., bringing hail, rain and snow; it was 

 highest from 7 to 9 a.m., on the 19th. 



J/arc^.— Temperature and rainfall rather below the average. A 

 good deal of snow fell during this cold, blustering month. Snow fell on 

 1 1 days ; rain on 1 1 , and hail on 2 days. The 4th and 5th were windy 

 and wet; and a gale of wind passed on the 19th and 20th. On the 20th 

 the aurora borealis was seen in the E. N. and W., from 8 to 9 p.m., it 

 was seen also in Westmoreland. 



April. — The rainfall was very small, mostly falling in the middle of 

 the month. Very little fell after the 20th. Spring, or one might almost 

 say summer, set in on the 9th, with a temperature of 80° in many places. 

 This high temperatiu-e recurred towards the end of the month. The 

 wind was high on the 6 th and a thmiderstorm visited us on the 12th a 

 very hot day. Eain fell on 10 days, and thmader was heard twice. 



May. — The rainfall was above the average almost everywhere. 

 Most of it fell in thunderstorms, especially on the 22nd. Much damage 

 was done by the floods. Thunder or lightning, or both, occurred here on 



