s 



The Weather of June, 1899. 



The month of June presented meteorological conditions 

 which were considerably at variance with established nor- 

 mals. Among the chief features may be mentioned the 

 extreme heat and absence of precipitation of the first part of 

 the month, and the occurrence of severe electrical disturb- 

 ances during the last decade. 



The temperature has been decidedly above the normal, 

 averaging a daily departure of about 5° plus. The principal 

 periods of warmth were the 5th to 7th, inclusive, 12th to 

 14th, inclusive, 19th and 20th. Various other days during 

 the month gave more than the usual amount of heat. The 

 6th, with a mean temperature of 80° to 85°, was the warmest 

 day, while the 14th, with a mean of about 80°, was also very 

 warm. The greatest daily range in temperature occurred 

 on the 8th, when the mercury rose, from a minimum of 45° 

 to 55°, to a maximum of 90° and over. The accumulation 

 of heat since the 1st of January now amounts to about 275°, 

 the month of June having added more than 125° to this 

 accumulated excess. 



During the first half of the month the rainfall was extremely 

 light, the total fall at Boston being less than .9 inch, as 

 against a normal amount of about 1.75 inches. During the 

 latter half of the month precipitation occurred more fre- 

 quently and in much greater amounts, mostly in the form of 

 thunderstorms. On the 15th severe storms of wind, rain, 

 hail and lightning passed over the State and were felt at 

 many places. At Leeds 2.87 inches of rain fell in one 

 storm, 2.04 inches of this falling in 30 minutes. At Win- 

 chendon 1.40 inches fell in 20 minutes, and the total was 1.98 

 inches. East Templeton reported 2.05 inches ; Fitchburg, 

 1.07 inches; New Salem, 1.32 inches; and Hyannis, 1.74 

 inches. The bulk of the rainfall was deposited in the central 

 and western portions of the State, and, while some damage 

 was caused to fruit trees and some fields were "washed" 

 badly, the beneficial effects of the rain more than compen- 

 sated for the damage. The 21st again witnessed heavy 

 storms, localty, throughout the State. Several buildings 

 were struck by lightning and burned, and some live stock 



