RESULTS OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN 
IN CHESTER DURING 1904, 
By THE REv. J. CAIRNS MITCHELL, B.D., F.R.A.S. 
The results here given are deduced from observations of the standard 
instruments, taken twice daily, at 9-0 a.m. and 9-0 pm. local mean time. 
Returns are sent to the Royal Meteorological Society, the Meteorological 
Council, the Scottish Meteorological Society, and many private observers in 
different parts of the Empire. 
JANUARY.—A rather warm dripping month, 1:6° above the average. 
This adds another year to that remarkable series of warm Januaries experi- 
enced of late, viz.: 1898, 7-0°; 1899 21°; 19¢0, 24°; 1901, 2°; 1902, 
3°0°; 1903, 12°; and 1904, fully 13°; in all, seven consecutive Januaries 
with a mean of 23° above the average temperature of the 25 years 1878-1902. 
The day temperature exceeded 50-0° on four days; and the night temperature 
exceeded 40 0° on five nights. The mean temperature of the 27th January 
was nearly equal to that of gth June; the night temperature of the former 
being 2-3° higher than the latter. Only six frosts in Stevenson’s screen; on 
grass 23; the minimum temperature being 25:5°. The amount of rainfall 
normal, but the number of rainy days excessive—23 days. It rained daily 
from the Ist until the 20th, excepting the 5th. Bright sunshine normal. 
Winds almost equally distributed between easterly and westerly; one gale 
from the WN W. on 14th. 
FEBRUARY.—Temperature 1-2° below the normal, being just equal to an 
average January There were nine frosts in Stevenson’s screen; 18 on grass; 
the minimum temperature being 23-7° on the 29th; and exceeded 40°0° only 
four times. The maximum shade temperature exceeded 50-0° only twice. 
Snow fell on two days—the 25th and 26th—but did not lie. Rainfall and 
number of rainy days both excessive, the amount being 1°5 inches in excess. 
Westerly winds only slightly preponderating. There were three westerly 
gales. A thunderstorm passed to the S.W. about 11-30 p-m. on the r2th. 
The sun temperature (black bulb in vacuo) was above 80°0° on two days. 
Bright sunshine deficient ; 6-91 hours on the 18th was registered out of a 
possible 93 hours A very dull, wet, cold, cheerless month. . 
Marcu.- A cold month, the temperature being 1-4° below the average, 
due to the low day temperatures. 50°0° was exceeded on only 12 days; the 
maximum, 57°6° on the 20th; the night temperatures were normal. Nine 
frosts in Stevenson’s screen; on grass 23; lowest temperature 240° on the 
12th. Rainfall normal, on fewer than the average number of rainy days. 
Sun temperature exceeded go-o° on one day only, the 29th. Winds light, 
but principally from N.E. Bright sunshine very deficient, and a large num- 
ber of sunless days; about 10 hours registered on 27th out of a possible 
12 hours. A very dull, cold, backward month. 
'_ APRIL.—A rather warm dry month, 1-8° above the average temperature ; 
with two-thirds of an inch short of the normal amount of rain. High night 
temperature, 2°7° above average ; lowest, 36:7° on 26th. Maximum tem- 
perature above 60°0° on nine days ; highest, 65-6° on 19th. Temperature in 
sun, 121-2° on 3oth _ Prevailing winds westerly, rising to the force of a gale 
on 5th, 6th, roth, and 24th. Fourteen hours more than the average of bright 
sunshine ; 113 hours on the 18th out of a possible amount of 14. No frosts 
in Stevenson's screen; 10 on ground. Solar halo on 25th. An exception- 
ally windy month, especially the first half of it. 
May,— Almost normal in temperature, put with a slightly greater mean 
range than usual. Lowest shade temperature 34°9° ; highest shade tempera- 
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