No. 4.] MASSACHUSETTS WEATHER. xxiii 



in the western part of the State by a severe hail storm on 

 the 24th. 



General showers occurred in the first week in July, which 

 effectually broke the drought that existed through May and 

 June. These conditions continued until the 18th of the 

 month, but from the 18th to the 25th the showery weather 

 w^as confined to the western sections of the State. At the 

 end of this period a second drought was complained of in 

 eastern sections, which was, however, relieved by copious 

 showers on the 25th and 26th. The temperature averaged 

 somewhat above the normal, but was generally devoid of 

 extremes. July did much to repair the damage resulting 

 from the dry weather of the two preceding months. 



August opened with several days of generally fair weather 

 in all sections, and seasonable temperatures. By the close 

 of the first week the dry weather was seriously felt in the 

 eastern counties, but copious showers occurred in these sec- 

 tions on the 10th and 11th. During the third week of the 

 month there was little or no precipitation, and that of 

 the 22d was principally in the eastern counties, where the 

 drought was most severe. A notable feature of the month 

 was an absence of the usual muggy, oppressive conditions. 

 The weather was somewhat cool from the 7tli to the 14th, 

 and unseasonably so at coast stations during the closing 

 week of the month. 



September opened with showers on the 1st and 2d, which 

 were of general occurrence and great benefit. The second 

 week of the month was fair, with much sunshine, but with 

 a sharp falling off of temperature, which had ranged al)out 

 normal the preceding week. The temperature of the third 

 week was several decrees cooler than the normal of the 

 season. General rains fell on the 20th and 21st of the 

 month; these rains were copious, and of great benefit to 

 pastures and meadows. With the rain came warmer weather, 

 and nearly average temperature conditions prevailed in the 

 last week of the month. As a whole, the month was 

 exceptionally fine and pleasant. 



The month of October opened with a cold wave of un- 

 usual severity for the season, with snow flurries in many 

 sections. The temperature ranged below normal from the 



