314 
MR, A. W. PRESTON S METEOROLOGICAL NOTES. 
feature of the month was the abnormal height of the barometer. 
The mercury did not once fall below 30 inches, and more than 
twenty-five years have elapsed since such an occurrence was, in 
this neighbourhood, recorded in any one month. On many days 
during the third week there was a great prevalence of fog, rendering 
the atmosphere exceedingly uncomfortable. 
March. 
The mild weather with which February closed continued until 
the Tth March, when winter returned, and the remainder of the 
month was cold and cheerless, with rough winds from the north- 
west, accompanied by frequent snow and sleet. Although a cold 
month, the mean temperature was somewhat higher than in 1887 
and 1888. 
April. 
This was another cold, ungenial month, with a great prevalence 
of north-easterly winds, and cloudy, dry weather. The mean 
temperature was over 3 degrees deficient, and this is the more 
remarkable when it is remembered that the four previous Aprils 
had been so exceptionally cold ; in fact, we have not had a really 
warm April since 1885. Vegetation, at the close of the month, was 
extremely backward, and about the same as in 1887, but a few days 
earlier than in 1888. 
May. 
The first week of this month was dry and of a medium 
temperature. From the 11th to the 14th it was exceedingly fine 
and warm, with a cool breeze from the north-north-east, which 
somewhat subdued the temperature. More inland some very high 
maxima were recorded, and in London 80 degrees was touched. 
A sudden and most extraordinary return to winter occurred on the 
16th, and the Whitsuntide holiday of 1891 will long be remembered 
by the remarkable snowstorms which took place on the mornings 
of both Sunday and Monday. On the latter day the snow lay 
from 4 to 6 inches deep on the level in some parts of the county ; 
and a good deal remained on the roadsides and hedge banks, 
unmelted, until late in the afternoon. In the early morning the 
fields were as white as on any day during the previous severe 
winter ; and some of the boughs of those trees which were in their 
