RAINFALL AT CLIFTON IN 1831. 
321 
Remarks.- — The year 1881 was the driest year since 1873. 
NeverthelesSj it had a rainfall above the average of 28 years, 
being the eighth year in succession in which the rainfall has 
exceeded the average. 
The monthly totals present no very remarkable feature. The 
driest month was April, in which the rainfall was 0*612 inch. 
The wettest month was August, with 5*635 inches. 
The heaviest diurnal falls were on the 9th of February-— 
1*206 inch; the 5th of June — 1*495 inch; and the 17th of 
December — -1*420 inch. 
A memorable snow-storm occurred on the 18th and 19th of 
January. The average depth of snow in this locality was about 
9 inches. In South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (where 
the storm was more severe than in any other part of the country) 
the average depth was at least 18 inches. A heavy gale accom- 
panying the snow caused enormous drifts, which blocked the 
railways to a degree never before experienced. It was estimated 
that not less than a hundred persons lost their lives in the snow 
in various parts of England and Wales. 
