THE RAINFALL OF GUERNSEY. 89 



The detail given in the 2nd table shows that the year 

 has been a very dry, one. 



The year commenced with a deficit for the first two 

 months but March and April were above the average, the 

 latter month proving the wettest of the year. May fell 

 off remarkably and June proved the driest month of the year 

 (this is consistent with the averages). A regular and steady 

 rise occurred through July, August, September and October. 

 The latter month gave 1*47 inch less quantity than April, 

 though October is the wettest month of the year on the 

 average. December was also a wet month, though it did not 

 reach April's totals by 0*09 inch The averages of 59 years 

 show a steady fall from January to June, a rise from June to 

 October, from which month a decline in quantity takes place 

 through November and December. The year 1901 is there- 

 fore very abnormal in the distribution besides being deficient 

 in quantity. 



Taking the accumulated rainfall as a guide we find 

 that the average fall was reached and slightly passed in April, 

 but with that exception the curve of the year is well below, 

 all along its length, the average curve. The year yielded 

 27 '97 inches against the average of 36*54 inches, a deficiency 

 of 8*57 inches. 



The table shows that the observations taken at the 

 country stations are consistent with the above results, but the 

 falls being, as usual, lighter in quantity than at Hauteville 

 the curves are modified. The curve taken from the mean of 

 all four stations does not touch the 59 years' curve anywhere 

 but is consistently below it. 



Only three years, since the record was commenced in 

 1843, have given smaller falls than this year. These were 

 1870 with a total of 25*0 inches ; 1858 with 25*5 inches, 

 and 1844 with 27*6 inches. 1901 must therefore rank not 

 only as a dry year but as an exceptionally dry one. 



The variations in the monthly totals of the four stations 

 can be studied from the table given. It will be sufficient for 

 me to draw your attention to the general agreement of the 

 curves shown with each other. The month of May varied 

 but little in quantity at any of the stations, the greatest 

 differences being found in April, October and December. 

 The differences are consistent with the results of former 

 years but not as great as is usual. This no doubt is the 

 effect of the diminished rainfall. 



