
13 
RESULTS OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN 
IN CHESTER DURING 1898. 
By THE REv. J. CAIRNS MIrcHELL, B.D., F.R.A.S. 

The results here given are deduced from bi-daily observations of the 
standard instruments taken at 9-O a.m. and g-o p.m. local mean time. 
Returns are sent monthly to the Royal Meteorological Society, the Meteoro- 
logical Council, the Scottish Meteorological Society, and many private 
observers in different parts of the Empire. 
JanuarRy.—An unprecedentedly mild month, being 7} degs. above the 
average. Very dull and sunless, and deficient in rain by fully an inch; no 
measurable quantity fell on any day from the gth to the 29th. Wind light, only 
rising to the force of a gale on the 30th. Vegetable growth is everywhere 
“ong and several of the spring songsters were heard throughout the 
month. 
Frpruary.—Notwithstanding the cold of the last week the average 
temperature of the month is nearly 2-0 degrees above the normal. The first 
week was unprecedentedly warm, and the second and third week exceeded 
the average by fully 3:0 degs., while the last week fell to nearly 3:0 degs. below 
it. Rainfall a trifle over the average, and the number of rainy days con- 
siderably above it. Wind high, especially in the forenoons, rising to a gale 
on the 2nd and 14th from N.W. Only two days without bright sunshine. 
Vegetation, except in exposed situations, has suffered very little. Hawthorn 
hedges, elder trees, &c., budding. 
Marcu.—A cold month, fully 2’0 degs. below the average, with a prepon- 
derance of northerly winds, piercingly cold and unusually strong, with low 
night temperatures and frost on ground nearly every night. Less sunshine, 
less ozone, and less rainfall by nearly an inch than the normal, The growth 
of vegetation checked everywhere, and in exposed places buds and blossoms 
shrivelled up by the biting winds. Several showers of hail and snow fell 
during the month. 
ApRiIL.—A very normal month, with just a little less than the usual 
amount of rain and bright sunshine, with a prevalence of southerly and 
westerly winds and rather high night temperature. The cuckoo heard and 
swallows seen on the last week of the month. Vegetation well advanced. 
May.—A dull, wet, and cold month, fully 2:0 degrees below the 
average temperature, and with a large proportion of cold easterly winds ; 
very cloudy and deficient in bright sunshine. As much rain fell in 48 hours 
of the 21st and 22nd as the average amount for the month. Altogether, fully 
three times the average amount fell; due not only to the severe thunderstorm 
of the 22nd and 23rd, but to an excessive number of rainy days. 
June.—A rather dull month, about 2:0 degs. below the average, arising 
from a deficiency of heat during the day. Just a fraction below the average 
rainfall. Many overcast days, and a large proportion of northerly winds; rather 
cold for the season, and only once (on the 24th) rising to the force of a gale. 
Juty.—A very dry but otherwise normal month. 
Avucust.—A very wet and rather dull but warm month, the hottest 
day of the season being the 12th, with shade temperature at 807 degs. The 
high night temperatures are remarkable. The rainfall since the beginning of 
the year is now up to the average both as to amount and number of wet 
days. This adds another to a very remarkable and prolonged series of wet 
and disagreeable Augusts. 
SEPTEMBER.—An exceptionally fine month, the best for many years ; in 
almost every respect the opposite of 1896 ; 2°5 degs, above the mean average 
temperature; sunny, clear, and dry; 1°6 inches less rain than the average, and 
