MU. A. W. PRESTON ON THE GREAT FROST OF 1S91-5. 
95 
XII. 
NOTES ON THE GREAT FROST OF 1S9 1—5. 
By Arthur W. Preston, F. R. Met. Soo. 
Read 25th March, 1855. 
Having passed the spring equinox, and the weather having at 
length become milder, it is now a matter of interest to compare 
the period of recent cold with severe frosts of previous winters, 
and in particular with the great frost of four years ago (1890 — 91), 
which was one of the most severe and protracted upon record. 
It will be remembered that up to Christmas the winter of 
1894 — 95 had been abnormally mild. The mean temperature of 
November was nearly 1 degrees above the average, the month 
having, in fact, been the mildest recorded since 1881. The wind 
was almost constantly from the S. and S.W., and the screened 
thermometer only fell below the freezing-point on one night. 
December was the mildest for fourteen years past. There was no 
snow until the 50th day, and up to the 26tli there was no sign 
whatever of any approaching severity. .V very cold north-westerly 
wind set in on the 27th, and although on tin; following day it was 
again milder, it was soon seen that the year was to close with 
conditions of weather altogether different to those which had been 
prevalent for many weeks. 
The frost may be said to have commenced on the 30th December, 
1894, and to have continued, with two breaks, until the 5th March, 
1895, a period of 66 days (or nine weeks and three days). A heavy 
fall of snow occurred on December 30th, which lay unmelted until 
January 15th. During the earlier portion of this period the frost 
was not exceptionally severe, but it gradually increased in intensity, 
until on the 12th the minimum was as low as 11.6 in the screen, 
and 6.0 on the grass. Fresh snow fell on ten days out of the 
seventeen, but was at no time of very great depth in the eastern 
parts of the county, although in the western districts the drifts 
were considerable. From January 15th to 2 1st the weather was 
milder, and there was a decided break in the frost. The ther- 
mometer, while never rising to the height usually attained on mild 
January days, exceeded 40 degrees daily, and on the 16th touched 
45 degrees. There was no frost during this period, and the snow 
