220 mr. a. w. preston’s meteorological notes. 
days, a very unusual occurrence in January, and which did not 
occur even in the very mild January of 1884. The result of such 
high temperature upon vegetation was very apparent, and the 
earlier spring flowers made their appearance some weeks earlier 
than usual. 
February. 
This was an unusually dry month, slightly colder than the 
average, and with very little range of temperature, hut 3 degrees 
colder than January. There were no very sharp frosts and no 
warm days, the thermometer not once touching 50 degrees. There 
was an unusual preponderance of easterly wind for so early in the 
season, and the month concluded with some very rough winterly 
weather. The barometer kept very high, being above 30 in. on 
every day but four throughout the month. 
March. 
The month entered with a spell of cold of abnormal severity, 
with driving snow-storms. On the 2nd the highest reading of the 
thermometer during the day did not exceed 28.4 degrees, an 
occurrence which had not happened for over seven years ; and on 
the mornings of the 3rd and 4th the temperature in the screen fell 
to 18 degrees and 12 degrees respectively. On the latter date the 
exposed thermometer on the surface of the snow fell to 3.8 degrees. 
On the 5th the weather suddenly changed to mild again, which 
mildness was maintained to the close of the month. The 
respective mean temperatures of the first four weeks were 32.3 
degrees, 45.4 degrees, 43.9 degrees, and 49.4 degrees, and the 
mean of the whole month was about 1 degree above the average ; 
constituting the warmest March since 1884. The rainfall was 
excessive, chiefly owing to heavy rains on the 18th and 19th, and 
low-lying districts were flooded in many parts of the country. 
April. 
The first six days of April were cold and clear, with penetrating 
east winds. The second week was cloudy and ungenial, accom- 
panied by hail, cold rain, and slight snow. An extraordinary 
hailstorm occurred at Norwich on the afternoon of the 12th; the 
hailstones were of great size, and lay on the ground nearly threo 
