249 

 METEOROLOGICAL NOTES FROM SELBY. 



J. F. MUSHAM, F.E.S. 



The following readings were taken from a minimum self- 

 registering thermometer, six feet from the ground, on a post 

 facing S.E. in Brook Street, Selby. 



It was not so much the severity of the weather of the past 

 winter that made it so irksome and unwelcome, as the length- 

 ened period over which it extended, coupled with the regular 

 falls of snow or rain, so persistent during the latter part of the 

 period. 



The first fall of snow was on Nov. 18th, 1916, over a month 

 before the scheduled date of winter, a timely warning of what 

 was to follow. 



On that date and the next day, starlings began to gather 

 for food in the gardens, together with a hen-chaffinch, which 

 evidently thought discretion the better part of valour, and 

 stayed at home with her mate in preference to migrating. 



The second fall of snow was on December 19th, temperature 

 below the normal ; the next on January 10th, followed by a 

 heavy fall during the night of Jan. 13th — 14th, similar during 

 the night of 15th — 16th, the temperature in the intervals 

 calling for no comment. 



Feb. 4th, snow practically continuous from this date ; 

 birds very tame and approaching the houses for scraps of 

 food. 



As thermometer readings vary even in restricted areas 

 according to aspect and position of the instrument, the following 

 records are not necessarily representative of the whole district. 

 Night of Feb. 4th — 5th cold, thermometer 16 F. at 8 a.m. = 16 

 degrees of frost. 

 Do. Feb. 5th — 6th cold, thermometer 14 F. 

 Do. Feb. 6th— 7th „ ,, 14 F. 



Do. Feb. 7th— 8th „ M 16 F. 



Do. Feb. 8th— 9th „ „ 15 F. 



Do. Feb. 9th— 10th „ „ 16 F. 



Do. Feb. 10th — nth, rise in temperature, 



ther. 28 F. 

 Do. Feb. nth— 12th, „ ,, 26 F. 



thawing at 8-50 a.m. 

 On Feb. 8th and 10th, an unusual visitor to town backyards 

 for food was the female of the redwing thrush. This bird, like 

 the fieldfare, is seldom seen except in the open ; a proof of a 

 heavy snow fall and cold weather. 



Nights of Feb. 12th and 13th, thermometer again down to 24 F. 

 Night of Feb. 14th — 15th, thermometer 29 F., only 3 degrees 

 of frost ; warmer. 



1917 Aug. 1. 



