REMARKS 



The one predominating feature of the weather during May was 

 the abnormal temperature which prevailed throughout the month. 

 The mean hourly temperature was more than eight degrees below the 

 normal at this station and two and one-half degrees below the record 

 of 1907 which was the coldest May up to that time since this station 

 was established. Using the maximum and minimum records of Pro- 

 fessor Snell of Amherst College, which go back to 1837, we find no 

 records which indicate a colder May than 1907, up to this year. It is 

 therefore evident that the month was the coldest May for at least eighty 

 years. There were only four days in the month when the mean 

 hourly temperature was higher than normal May weather. 



As a result of the unseasonable temperature, seasonal progress 

 was almost at a standstill during the month, and at its close vegeta- 

 tion was more than three weeks backward. The persistency of the 

 wind from the northwest quadrant during much of the month un- 

 doubtedly had much to do with the low temperature. 



A comparison of the records of the several weather elements 

 with the normals shows the following features : The mean barometer 

 was the lowest since this station was established and the range was 

 slightly smaller than usual. The barometer chart showed a compara- 

 tively steady pressure. The maximum temperature was six degrees 

 lower than the normal but was higher than the 19 15 record and 

 almost the same as the 1916 record. While the maximum tempera- 

 ture was a few degrees lower than usual, it was not as low as in 1907, 

 191 1, and 1914 of recent years. 



The mean dew point was about as much below the normal as the 

 mean temperature and made a new low record here. The relative 

 humidity was nearly normal. 



The total precipitation was four-tenths of an inch more than the 

 normal. The total wind movement was practically normal. The 

 cloudiness observed was about the usual amount. 



J. E. OSTRANDER, Meteorologist. 



W. P. SAUNDERS, Observer. 



