MR. A. W. PRESTON S METEOKOLOGICAL NOTES. 
475 
in some places, its visitation was almost as severely felt as in the 
great storm of the previous November. Vegetation, at the close 
of the month, was more backward than it had been for several 
years at this period, notwithstanding the early start it received 
during the mild days of January. 
April. 
The mean temperature was slightly above the average. It was 
2 degrees higher than in the corresponding month of the previous 
year, and much the same as in 1895 and 1896. The rainfall was 
about half an inch deficient. The early days of the month were 
line, bright, and warm, followed by a week of showery weather at 
Eastertide. For ten days from the 18th the wind was almost 
continually from the East, with cold, bleak weather, but the month 
concluded with some warm, showery days. 
May. 
The highest temperature recorded this month (60.2 degrees) was 
an unusually low maximum for May, and wo have to go back to 
1877 for another May when 70 degrees was not reached. The 
mean of the month was 2 degrees below the average, and during 
the first fortnight there was a considerable excess of rain. It was 
altogether an ungenial month. 
June. 
The mean temperature of the month was about one degree under 
the average, and although the thermometer exceeded 70 degrees on 
eight days, the highest elevation recorded was 74.4 degrees on the 
18th, against 83 degrees on the 24th in 1897, and 81 degrees on 
the 16th in 1896. The live days, 12th to 16th inclusive, were 
exceedingly cold for the season, accompanied by a bleak north- 
easterly wind and much cloud. During this period the thermometer 
did not once touch 60 degrees. Thunder occurred on the 2nd, 6th, 
10th, 22nd, and 25th. The rainfall of the month was 1.37 in. 
above the average, chiefly caused by a torrential downpour on the 
night of the 9th — 10th, when the total registered was 1.80 in., 
being the heaviest fall recorded in this neighbourhood in the 
twentydbur hours ending 9 a.m. since the 13th July, 1S89. 
