The Winter of 1 904-1 905. 
257 
and between the 20th and 25th a keen frost was experienced, 
the lowest temperatures being recorded on or about the 23rd, 
when readings below 20° were observed in many parts of the 
country. Towards the close of December a stronger current of 
air set in, at first from south-west and afterwards from west, 
the result being soon seen in a clearing of the atmosphere, and 
a very decided rise of temperature. On the 29th the thermo- 
meter exceeded 55° in many parts of the eastern and midland 
counties, and reached 60° in one or two isolated places, a point 
seldom attained in the mid-winter season. Next day, however, 
the wind got round to north-west, and the weather again turned 
cold, snow being experienced in the east and south-east of 
England on the 31st, and in several parts of the country on 
January 1 and 2. 
In January the weather was exceedingly variable. A brief 
spell of mild westerly winds between the 3rd and 5th was 
succeeded on the 6th by a strong gale from the north- 
westward, accompanied by a very high tide, which occasioned 
a considerable amount of damage along our east coasts. 
Another gale from the same quarter was experienced on the 
9th, the weather about this time being rather cold, with 
snow or sleet showers in some of the northern districts 
between the 8th and 11th. After the latter date the wind 
again fell light, and another sharp frost set in, the thermo- 
meter between the 13th and 15th falling at least 10° below the 
freezing point in most districts. During the latter part of the 
15th, and on the 16th, a severe gale from the south-eastward 
sprang up over the entire country, and snow fell generally ; 
while on the evening or night of the 16th, when the wind 
veered to south-west, a heavy fall of rain was experienced 
in the south of England. The dying away of the gale on 
the 17th was followed by a long spell of fair quiet weather, 
lasting until very nearly the close of the month. During this 
period the days were, as a rule, fine and sunny, but the nights 
cold and frosty, the lowest temperatures being observed in 
some places, on or around the 19th, and in other places about 
the 26th or 27th. Over the country generally the sharpest 
frosts occurred on the former occasion, when the thermometer 
fell below 20° in nearly all districts, and below 15° at some of 
the more central stations. At the close of January a strong 
westerly wind sprang up, and the weather became much milder. 
Throughout the earlier half of February, and, in fact, for 
more than half the month, the country was under the influence 
of a long spell of westerly winds, the weather being for the 
most part fair, mild, and dry. Occasional touches of frost were, 
however, experienced, the chief of these occurring between the 
8th and 11th, when snow showers fell in most districts. After 
VOL. 66. S 
