32 
The ground was, and remains, frozen to a depth of 1J to 2 
feet; consequently water-mains were reached in some cases, 
adding seriously to the difficulties of frozen pipes above ground. 
Stand-pipes are still in constant demand. The present has, 
probably, been the most serious visitation of the kind, both for 
the water company and the public. An extra million gallons 
a day entirely failed to prevent the shortage of water, so many 
taps were kept flowing to avoid freezing. 
Although low in January, the barometer was decidedly high 
in February. Early in January a “ high ” area established 
itself over Finland, European Siberia, and the north Ourals. 
It stood at 307 (Archangel) on Jan. 13th, but disappeared on 
the 17th: a high area then formed off our islands, so as to 
bring back cold, northerly winds, when 2° below zero was 
reached (Jan. 28th) at Llandovery. That day another high 
pressure area began to develop over AV. Russia, and the two 
joining gave readings over 31 inches—a most unusual event— 
over South Scandinavia This moved slowly northwards, and 
again reached 30*9 from February 5th to 7th. Still keeping 
very high through the succeeding, coldest, period, it fell at last 
below 30 inches on the 11th, rising again on the 13th, and 
continuing high over our islands ; but as it was now lower to 
the north-east, the air no longer swept down so directly upon 
us from arctic regions, and the cold relaxed. The extreme 
cold in our islands began on the day of the highest readings 
with 20° at Llandovery. Temperatures below zero were officially 
recorded from six of our ten British regions, namely, W. & E. 
Scotland, N.E., S.AV\, and Midland England, and North Ire¬ 
land. In N. Scotland 2° (above zero) was reached, E. 
England 1°, N.W. England 10°, S. England 2°, S Ireland 6°; 
whilst even the Channel Isles had 14° of frost. Bruemar 
(“ E. Scotland ”) showed itself the coldest spot, its minima for 
the four successive weeks, from Jan. 27th on, being 1°, 9°, 17°, 
and 12°. Seventeen below zero is probably the lowest official 
record made in our islands. 
The month was sunny, although no days were very clear. 
The night of the 8th, however, was exceedingly so, proving, in 
consequence, the coldest in nearly every part of Great Britain. 
At Ackworth, J. Neale, B.A., placed a thermometer on the 
