598 
mr. a. w. preston’s meteorological notes. 
reduced the month’s mean to 63.9 or about 3 J degrees above the 
average. August, 1893, was thus the warmest month since 
duly, 1887, and warmer than any August since 1884, which was 
decidedly an even hotter month. The rainfall, 1.83 ins., was less 
than recorded in any August since 1885. Thunderstorms occurred 
on the 5th, 10th, and 18th, but considering the unusual heat of 
the last named day, the storm following was less severe than might 
have been anticipated. 
September. 
Up to the 2Gth this month may be said to have been almost 
rainless, only about a quarter of an inch of rain having been 
gauged, such quantity being made up of trilling falls of 0.08 inch 
and less. The weather during this period was exceedingly fine 
and pleasant with many hot days, the thermometer exceeding 
70 degrees on seven days, and reaching 78 degrees on the 6th. 
An unusually cold wave passed over the country on the 23rd, the 
maximum for that day being only 52.6 degrees, but it was not 
accompanied by any downfall, and the weather was fine and bright, 
though cool for the season. On the evening of the 27th, after 
a close, calm day a most violent thunderstorm occurred, accom- 
panied by a deluge of rain and hail, though of short duration. 
0.58 inch of rain fell in less than an hour, which was about 
equivalent to the total fall for the months of March and April last. 
The lightning was exceptionally vivid and frequent, and the peals 
of thunder almost continuous. The total deficiency of rain for the 
first nine months of 1893 was upwards of 6 inches. 
October. 
This month was a great contrast to October, 1892, when 
7.62 ins. of rain fell, and the temperature did not once touch 
60 degrees. This year the total rainfall was only 1.47 inches, or 
about half the average, and the temperature reached 60 degrees and 
upwards on fourteen days, and 65 degrees and upwards on four 
days. The mean temperature of the month was about 2 degrees 
above the average. Slight snow fell on the 31st. The greater 
part of the month was an extraordinary protraction of summer 
weather. . 
