490 



CARL SKOTTSBERG 



Rainfall 



mm days 



Aug 73.7 17 



Sept 94.4 21 



Oct. .... 28.1 12 



Nov. ... 153.7 X3 



Dec 103.2 18 



Year .... 1416.6 208 



84 



963.9 



1.47 



Average monthly figures drawn from only two years are, of course, of no 

 great value. Both years show a heavier precipitation during autumn and 

 winter and a drier spring, but there is a conspicuous difference between certain 

 months in 191 2 and the same months in 191 3. We have records for a few 

 years before 19 12 showing that the annual amount is subject to considerable 

 variation (KnOCHE 1. c. p. 160). There are very wet and very dry years. 



1901 1210.0 



1902 1 1 18.0 



1903 71 1. o 



1904 1016.0 



1905 2134.0 



191 2 1268.8 



1913 1565-1 



Average 



1289.9 



Just as there are dry years, there are also dry spells during each year, 

 but no prolonged periods of drought. As a rule, the rain descends in light 

 showers, but heavy downpours are by no means rare and may occur at any 

 season. To give a few examples, the following figures for a precipitation ex- 

 ceeding 20 mm in one day are quoted. 



1912 



1913 



37-5 167.7 38.S 66 



31.4 

 20.4 



90.9 24.1 



Many of these rains come down with a »tropical» force, and in view of 

 some of the figures it is difficult to understand that erosion is so slight. But 

 every visitor has noticed that the water disappears very rapidly beneath the 

 surface, leaving the camp dry. 



Dew is commonly formed during the night, sufficient, I am told, to allow 

 the sheep to quench their moderate thirst. Drinking water is available in a couple 

 of caves on the hills and in the crater lakes, where the cattle come down to drink. 



