130 



SUNSHINE OF GUERNSEY. 



over the average of past Mays is the difference between 

 339*4 and 244*4 or 95*0 hours. Then if we deduct 95 hours 

 from the total of the year we get (1968-95) 1,873 hours or a 

 year 44 hours less than average. 



We are right therefore in describing the year, on the 

 whole, as being one under the average, but containing an 

 exceptional month which swelled the total of the year above 

 the average. 



February, April, August and November were above their 

 averages, but the seven other months were below and July 

 stands out as being the worst month, being 47 hours in deficit. 

 June and July were very disappointing as summer months. 

 Both these months lost an hour a day for their whole duration, 

 and when we consider that these are the month of the sun's 

 highest position in the sky we realise that the loss was greater 

 than it seems. 



As regards records the year is poor, the total of May 

 being the only one. 



In the second table you will find that no month of 1909 

 has reached the previous lowest. The gloomiest year we 

 have had, 1894 with 1,724*5 hours, was very much gloomier 

 than last year, even if we remove the excess of May. for then 

 it stands as 1,873 against 1,724 hours and is a small mercy to 

 be thankful for. 



In considering the cloudiness of the year as given in 

 Table I. it must be remembered that the cloud is estimated 

 at night as well as during the day, hence there appears to 

 be a want of consistency which is not real because the columns 

 of sunshine and cloud are not comparable. 



The distribution of sunshine throughout the year (see 

 Table I.) has been disturbed by May's excess. 



