2 8 A HANDBOOK FOR SOUTHPORT. 



many persons would think are, therefore, warmer. Com- 

 parisons have shown that the mean temperature of Southport 

 is less variable than that of some well-known health resorts 

 on the south coast, taking each quarter of the year as the 

 basis of comparison; and that, although the position 200 

 miles more to the south raises the mean temperature for 

 the year one degree, the temperature fluctuates more than 

 that of this locality. Certain portions of the Welsh coast 

 enjoy the influence of the Gulf Stream more than Southport, 

 and, hence, surpass even the south coast of England in mean 

 annual temperature ; but this advantage disappears when 

 we go more into detail, and compare the mean daily 

 ranges of temperature of these places. This is the true 

 criterion of climate, so far as it depends upon temperature 

 only, and, tried by this test, the climate of Southport 

 is much more genial than that of many other places in 

 lower latitudes. Climate, however, is not a mere question 

 of temperature. Many other elements enter into it, and, 

 notably, humidity. Here, also, the condition to be desired 

 is that of regularity ; neither excessively dry air nor exces- 

 sively moist air. Comparisons of mean humidity show in a 

 striking manner the advantageous character of the climate of 

 Southport, as regards the more equable condition of this 

 important meteorological element. The prevailing winds, as 

 shown by Mr. BaxendelPs observations, are from the south 

 and the west A seaside place has, of course, a higher rate 

 of wind movement than obtains inland, but the other meteor- 

 ological conditions being singularly equable, and the lighter 

 winds prevailing, it is, perhaps, an unmixed advantage for the 

 purification of the atmosphere that the total movement of 

 the wind should be as high as it is. 



