RAINFALL IN DORSET. 85 



Local thunderstorms were experienced on May 22nd, 23rd, 

 and 24th. On the latter day one embracing a considerable area 

 was developed over the hills of central and north-eastern Dorset. 

 At Larmer, on the border of Wilts, the rainfall was ro6in. 

 Proceeding westerly, at Haselbury Bryan, it was riyin. ; 

 Holwell, *85in. ; Melbury, 17301.; Cheddington Court, 1*14.111.; 

 Blackdown, 'y6in. On the coast, and south of latitude 50 47' N., 

 the only rain measured was "3 Sin. at Parkstone, -c^in. at Ham- 

 worthy, and -oi in. at Binnegar. In the north the largest falls 

 were '6401. at Gillingham, '6oin. at Shaftesbury, *55in. at 

 Buckhorn Weston, and '5001. at Sturminster Newton. 



After a fortnight of great heat a succession of very severe 

 thunderstorms passed from the northward in a southerly direction 

 during the afternoon and evening of the i8th of August. 

 Considerable damage was done by the lightning. Rain fell 

 everywhere, but was moderate in amount. The average of all 

 the stations was *33in. The largest falls were '8401., at Larmer, 

 65in. at Swanage, *6iin. at Parkstone, and '59m. at Buckhorn 

 Weston; the smallest '^fin. at Portland, '1501. at Wyke Regis 

 and Steeple, and '1701. at Chickerell. 



OBSERVERS' NOTES. 



BERE REGIS VICARAGE. The fall on February 22nd, rSiin., 

 was snow, wet heavy stuff, carefully measured. From May 26th 

 to September 26th, both days included, the fall was only 



BUCKHORN WESTON. February 2ist: Snow -goin. This was 

 the actual amount that fell into the gauge. I tested it in another 

 way, and found only '02in. difference more. August i8th: 

 A thunderstorm, which commenced at 2.30 p.m., continued 

 almost incessantly until 10 p.m. 



BROADWINDSOR VICARAGE. October loth : Lightning and 

 thunder in the evening ; 1 6th, rain 1-7201. North-east and east 

 wind. November 25th : Hail and thunder. 



BURSTOCK, HURSEY. February 22nd : Rain gauge 2^ feet 

 under snow. 



