mr. a. w. preston’s meteorological notes. 
-443 
occurred lasting for a considerable time, and it was notable 
for the brilliancy and rapidity of succession of the lightning 
flashes. Thunderstorms also occurred on the 4th. 8th. 13th, 
15 th, and 16th, those on the 8th (of which there were three 
in Norwich) having been exceedingly severe, and during which 
.80 ins. of rain was gauged. The total fall of rain for the 
month was 1.87 ins., or half an inch below the average, but 
the amounts varied much in different localities. Some places 
were visited by torrential downpours, leaving adjoining spots 
parched and dried up. Mean temperature was nearly 3 degrees 
above the average, and was the highest recorded for August 
since 1893. This was caused by a remarkable heat wave, 
which partially set in on the 2bth. when the shade temperature 
reached 87 degrees, a point not previously attained all the 
summer. The following day was as much as 22 degrees cooler, 
but on the 29th the heat returned, and the thermometer 
reached 70.4 degrees, 82.6 degrees on the 30th, and 91.5 degrees 
on the 31st. 
September. 
The heat wave which set in at the end of August continued 
during the early part of September, when extraordinarily high 
readings of the screened thermometer were noted. On the 
1st, 2nd, and 3rd September, the maxima were respectively 
88.4 degrees, 92.2 degrees, and 93.0 degrees. The last two 
readings were, with the reading of 91.5 on August 31st. the 
highest registered since these records were commenced in 
1883, indeed it was one of the hottest periods ever known 
in England. On September 4th there was a drop in tempera- 
ture of 2b degrees from the previous day, but the heat wave 
cannot be said to have left us until after the 12th, as readings 
of 79.2 degrees, 77. S degrees, and 72.0 degrees were recorded 
respectively on the 7th. 8th. and 12th. The month generally 
was very fine throughout, and constituted a protraction of 
one of the finest summers on record. Harvest was finished 
in most localities in East Anglia by the end of the first week 
of the month. 
g o 2 
