REMARKS. 



The weather for the month of February in Massachusetts was 

 colder than the average for other years, and it was drier in the cen- 

 tral and western part and wetter on the southeastern coast. At 

 Woods HoU the precipitation for the month was about three-fourths 

 inch above the average amount for this month, but at Boston, Fitch- 

 burg and Somerset it was from half an inch to one and one-half 

 inches less. At Springfield, the fall just equalled the normal. 



Cold spells prevailed on the 6th, ]7th, 24th and 25lh. The lowest 

 minimum temperature occurred at most places on the morning of the 

 25th and was the lowest recorded for a long time at a good many 

 stations ; but the coldest day by far was the 24th. The mean tem- 

 perature for the day must have been below zero in all sections of the 

 state, while a great many observers report the highest for the day, 

 several degrees below zero. At Boston, the temperature was at 

 zero at noon, but ran up to 0° above before night ; the mean for the 

 day here was a fraction of a degree below zeio. The strong wind 

 made the cold all the more iiitente. The ground was well covered 

 by snow most of the month and it is not anticipated that any material 

 damage has been done to crops or fruit trees. 



A fine auroral display was observed on the 23rd which by many is 

 connected with the cold weather following. Thunder and lightning- 

 was observed in the eastern part of the state from 10 to 11 a. m. of 

 the 10th. 



The mean temperature for the month was slightly above and the 

 precipitation very much below normal,, but the snowfall was greatly 

 above the average for February. The coldest days were the 6th, 

 14th, H)th, )7th, 24th and 2.')th — on the last date the mercury regis- 

 tering I 7"' degrees below zero. The largest fall of snow occurred on 

 the 14th. 



February 23d a remarkable display of the Aurora Borealis was 

 observed. A band of greenish-white light extended rainbow-like 

 across the northern portion of the heavens from east to west, about 

 15'^ above the horizon ; this soon changed into abroad band of red 

 light and from all parts of the heavens flashes and waves of variously 

 colored light shot brilliant rays upward, forming about the zenith a 

 quivering canopy of flame, the most brilliant display lasting about 

 one minute. As this aurora comprehended most of the peculiarities 

 of other varieties, it might be called a complete aurora. Blue birds 

 appeared at the end of the month. 



C. D. WARNER, Meteorologist. 



FRANK L. WARREN, Assistant. 



