376 mr. a. w. preston’s meteorological notes. 
early in the season. Frost occurred on eleven nights as recorded 
by the screened instrument ; the exposed thermometer registered 
frost on eighteen nights. A great downpour of rain occurred on 
the 13th, when 1.17 in. fell in twenty -four hours. Heavy gales 
were experienced on several days, that on the 13th, from the north, 
causing a direful disaster at Caister, when the lifeboat was upset 
and many lives lost. On the 20th, strong north winds brought up 
a very high tide, doing considerable damage on the coast. 
December. 
This was the first really wet month since August, 1900, the 
total being 4.14 in. falling on twenty days. A heavy downpour 
occurred on the night of the 12th — 13th, 1.60 in. being recorded. 
This was the heaviest fall but two ever noted at this station, and 
was the maximum for the year. Gales and rough winds were 
experienced on many days, and some winterly weather occurred in 
the middle of the month. Although colder than the previous 
December, it cannot be called a severe month, the first and last 
weeks giving many mild days. 
The Seasons. 
The following Tables show the mean temperature and rainfall for 
the four seasons, together with those of the five previous years, and 
of a twenty-year approximate average. Winter comprises the three 
months, December to February inclusive ; Spring, March to May ; 
Summer, June to August ; and Autumn, September to ^November. 
TEMPERATURE. 
Seasons. 
]896. 
1897. 
1898. 
1899. 
1900. 
1901. 
20-year 
average. 
Departure 
of 1901 from 
average. 
Winter 
Spring 
Summer 
Autumn 
degrees. 
39.6 
48.0 
61.1 
48.5 
degrees. 
38.3 
46.9 
61.9 
50.3 
degrees. 
41.3 
45.8 
59.7 
54.0 
degrees. 
42.6 
46.2 
61.9 
51.2 
degrees. 
37.4 
45.3 
61.6 
51.6 
degrees. 
39.0 
46.3 
61.4 
50.7 
degrees. 
37.8 
46.2 
60.2 
49.5 
degrees. 
+ 1.2 
+ 0.1 
+ 1.2 
4- 1.2 
Year 
49.3 
49.5 
50.5 
49.8 
49.6 
48.8 
48.4 
+ 0.4 
