No. 4.] MASSACHUSETTS WEATHER. xxvii 



without the usual mild period. The preei})itati()n, mostly 

 snow, did not depart greatly from the monthly average, l)ut 

 the snoAv was badly drifted, thus impeding railroad and street 

 car traffic, 



February was a cold month, with a marked prevalence of 

 fair weather, the monthly mean, 19.8^, being one of the 

 lowest on record. The precipitation, averaging 1.67 inches, 

 was much below the monthly normal, and mostly in the 

 form of snow ; but, owing to the low temperature, the ground 

 was generally covered with snow throughout the month. 



The weather of March was exceptionally pleasant for this 

 month, there being an entire absence of the severe storms 

 frequently prevalent. The temperature was lower than the 

 averao-e until the closino; decade, when there was a sudden 

 change from winter to spring-like weather. The snow and 

 ice disappeared gradually, and there were no destructive 

 freshets. Weather conditions were unfavorable to the flow 

 of sap. At the close of the month the ground was generally 

 bare. 



April was very pleasant, there l)eing no marked departures 

 from the average in the several elements of temperature, 

 precipitation and sunshine. The day temperatures were 

 generally belo^v the average, while the night temperatures 

 did nf)t fall as low as usual in April. The precipitation, 

 while somewhat below the average, was well distributed. 

 The weather conditions were generally favorable to farming 

 operations. 



May opened with cool weather until the Gth, when there 

 was a marked rise, with temperatures above normal until the 

 12th. From that date to the 24th the weather was decidedly 

 cool, the daily mean temperatures ranging from 2° to 10° 

 below the normal. From the 25th to the close of the month 

 higher temperatures prevailed. Frosts occurred from the 

 14th to the 24th, with some damao:e to tender vegetation. 

 There Avas much cloudiness and unsettled weather, but also 

 a marked and general deficiency in rainfall, it being but 

 little over half of the normal amount for May. High winds 

 also prevailed, adding to the droughty conditions. 



During the first five days of June the nights were cool, 



