374 
MR. A. W. PRESTON S METEOROLOGICAL NOTES. 
May. 
With the exception of some rather heavy local showers on the 
Gth, 7th, and 29th, the month may be said to have been almost 
rainless. No rain whatever was registered between the 9th and 
25tli. The mean temperature, owing to warm weather in the last 
week, came up to the average standard for May for the hrst time 
for six years past. But down to the 24th day it was decidedly 
cold, owing to the penetrating character and persistency of prevalent 
easterly winds. The hygrometrical readings were abnormally low ; 
on many days, at 9 a.m., the percentage of relative humidity was 
under 65 per cent., and on the 23rd was as low as 57 per cent. 
This, combined with the absence of rain, and the dryness of the 
easterly wind, parched the soil to an unusual extent. 
June. 
This was a fine and exceedingly pleasant summer month, with 
no great excess of heat. There were many bright days, interspersed 
with acceptable rains during the third week and the last night; but 
the early part of the month was very dry, and following on the 
parching weather of May the drought was much felt. There was 
but little thunder, and the percentage of humidity was lower than 
for some years past. 
July. 
This was the third exceptionally warm July in succession, and as 
a whole, the month may be said to have been as fine a period of 
summer weather as could be desired. Though 1.4 degrees cooler 
than the previous July, it was nevertheless quite 3 degrees above 
the average, and the thermometer exceeded 80 degrees on six days. 
The nights were cooler than last year, and after the overpowering 
heat by day, the reduction of temperature in the evenings was 
particularly acceptable. Absolute drought prevailed from the 5th 
to the 24th, a period of nineteen days. In the fourth week there 
were rains of a partial character. In places the downpours were 
torrential, and in others, near by, not a drop fell. A heavy thunder- 
storm passed over Norwich on the 25th, but it did not extend to 
Brundall. This was the fringe of the terrific storm which visited 
the metropolis on the same day, when 2.66 in. of rain fell at 
Camden Square in an hour and a half! 
