342 
MR. A. W. PRESTON S METEOROLOGICAL NOTES. 
May. 
This was' an exceedingly fine and warm month, with a 
mean temperature of 3 - 9° above the normal, in fact it fell 
only half a degree short of that of the warm May of 1908, 
which holds the record for warmth back for 40 years. Rain 
fell on six days only, but it was heavy on some days, par- 
ticularly on ttie 13th and 14th, on the former day accom- 
panied by thunder, when nearly three-quarters of an inch 
fell in less than an hour. In the South of England a 
tropical thunderstorm of extraordinary violence occurred 
on the 31st, but did not extend to this neighbourhood. 
255 hours of bright sunshine were registered during the 
month, being 49 hours above the average. The sun shone 
for ten hours and upwards on as many as 15 days. 
June. 
June was a fine summer month, with heavy rains during 
the latter part, aggregating over 3 inches. This supply after 
a dry period, and considering the burning droughts which 
were to follow, was most welcome. On the 16th, 19th, 23rd, 
and 29th the amounts registered here were — - 41 ins., - 80 ins., 
'83 ins., and ‘40 ins. respectively, but much heavier falls 
were recorded in Mid and West Norfolk; at Watton 2 - 20 ins. 
fell on the 23rd, and at Sporle 2T9 ins. on the same day. 
Mucn north-easterly wind prevailed during the first half, and 
there was no sunless day throughout the month. Garden 
fruits and flowers were all unusually early owing to the 
forcing days in the latter part of May and the beginning 
of June, and the strawberry crop was on the decline at a 
time when in many years it has hardly begun. 
J ULY. 
This month was remarkable for its great heat, violent 
drought, and extraordinary excess of sunshine ; and the 
contrast between it and the two previous Julys was very 
