MR. A. W. PRESTON'S METEOROLOGICAL NOTES. 757 
VII. 
METEOROLOGICAL NOTES, 1913. 
(From Observations taken at Norwich). 
By Arthur W. Preston, F.R.Met.Soc. 
Read 27th January, 1914. 
January. 
Mildness was generally prevalent throughout the month, 
there having been only two nights with frosts of much 
intensity. Mean temperature was 1’7° above the average, 
and it was the warmest January since 1906. The rainfall 
was 1‘22 ins. excessive, and sunshine 3'5 hours deficient. The 
month was chiefly remarkable for the premature start of 
vegetation, which was a month or six weeks in advance of the 
normal. Yellow crocuses began to flower in the open on 
the 2nd, and by the end of the month large quantities of these 
and other flowers gave a spring-like aspect to the flower 
garden. I counted 142 blooms of yellow crocus in flower in 
my garden on January 26th ; whereas in most years the first 
blooming of this flower does not take place until February. 
February. 
The general characteristics of this month were, like January, 
more spring-like than winterly. Daffodils were in flower in 
the garden on the 7th (two months earlier than in some years), 
and wall -fruit was nearly ready to open its blossom at the 
close of the month. Mean temperature was 2’2° above the 
average. The winter was the mildest since 1903. The rain- 
fall of the month was greatly deficient, the total quantity 
having been but little over half the average. 
