194 
MR. A. W. PRESTON S METEOROLOGICAL, NOTES. 
November since 1857 when it rose to G4 degrees on the 3rd, 
and G3 degrees on the 5th. The rainfall was about the average, 
and nearly the same as last year. There were several destructive 
gales, and from the 23rd to the 25th it blew at gale force almost 
continuously. The last three days were very gloomy, damp, and 
unpleasant. 
December. 
This was a very stormy, unsettled month, with slight frost at 
times, but of no great intensity. There were many gales of 
a violent character, that on the 5th from the W.S.W. being the 
most severe, although those of the 12th from the S., and the 24th 
from the E. were also very destructive. The rainfall accompanying 
them was by no means excessive, and the month’s total was half an 
inch below the average, but on many days the air was excessively 
humid, particularly at the close of the month, when fog and mist 
prevailed day after day. The mean temperature of the month was 
slightly above the average, but it was generally a colder month 
than the previous December. There was but little snow. Much 
lightning was seen in the north-east on the evening of the 6th. 
A driving blast from the east on Christmas Day made the weather 
exceedingly uncomfortable, and after the 23rd the sun was almost 
invisible to the end of the month. 
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. 
1890. 
1891. 
1892. 
1893. 
1894. 
1895. 
20-year 
average. 
Departure 
of 1895 from 
average. 
degrees. 
degrees. 
degrees. 
degrees. 
degrees. 
degrees. 
degrees. 
degrees. 
Winter 
38.9 
33.9 
37.0 
30.5 
39.2 
34.7 
37.8 
3.1 
Spring 
4ti.8 
44.0 
44.9 
49.1 
47.7 
47 6 
46.2 
+ 1.4 
Summer 
58.6 
58.9 
58.3 
01.2 
59.3 
60. 4 
60.2 
+ 0.2 
Autumn 
50.2 
50.9 
48.8 
50.0 
50.1 
51.4 
49.5 
+ 1.9 
Y ear 
48.0 
47.7 
46.9 
49.6 
49.2 
48.4 
48.4 
0.0 
