AT WANSFORD HOUSE, WATFORD, IX 1886 . 
173 
much less frequently clear of cloud, and much more often com¬ 
pletely overcast. The estimated force of the wind was about the 
same as in 1885. 
In the winter of 1885-86 (Dec. to Teh.) the mean pressure of 
the atmosphere was high, but about the average of our period. 
The mean temperature was very low, the relative humidity was 
about the average, the rainfall was rather small, and the number 
of rainy days was about the average. In the spring (March to 
May) the mean pressure was again about the average for the season, 
the mean temperature rather low, the relative humidity very high, 
and the rainfall and number of rainy days were great (owing to the 
wet May). In the summer (June to Aug.) the mean pressure was 
above the average, the mean temperature rather high (the daily 
range being considerable), the relative humidity about the average, 
and the rainfall and number of rainy days were very small. In 
the autumn (Sept, to Nov.) the mean pressure was about the 
average, the mean temperature very high, the relative humidity 
rather high, the rainfall, though heavy, a little below the average 
of our period, and the number of rainy days about the average. 
The difference between these seasons and the means of the seasons 
from Dec. 1877 to Nov. 1885 is shown in the following table. 
Difference in 1885-86 from Means of 1877-85, at Watford. 
Seasons, 
1885 - 86 . 
Pressure. 
Temperature. 
Tension 
of 
Yap our. 
Humi¬ 
dity. 
Rainfall. 
Cloud 
0-10. 
Mean. 
Daily- 
Range. 
Total. 
Days. 
Winter . 
Spring . 
Summer. 
Autumn. 
ins. 
+ •016 
+'oo8 
+•044 
—*009 
O 
—2-8 
—o*3 
+o*6 
+ 3 ' 2 
O 
-o -4 
—I’O 
+2’I 
+o-6 
in. 
—*024 
+ •012 
— - 027 
+ •033 
°l 
+1 
+5 
+2 
ins. 
—i-86 
+2-09 
- 3-85 
—064 
— 1 
+13 
— 11 
+ 1 
+ 4 
+10 
— 6 
+ 2 
The following notes record some of the principal features of the 
weather in each month. 
January.— Rather cold and dull, with a rather humid atmosphere 
of very low pressure, and with much rain and snow. The weather 
was very variable throughout the month, and there were sudden 
changes in temperature. The 1st to 5th, 13th to 15th, and 31st. 
were warm. Rain or snow fell every day hut 2nd, 8th, 9th, 14th, 
18th, 26th, and 27th. Westerly winds prevailed. Min. temp, 
below 32° on 21 days, below 22° on 2 (7th and 8th), above 44° on 
2 (1st and 2nd); max. above 42° on 11. 
February.— Excessively cold, very dull, with a rather dry 
atmosphere of high pressure, and with very little rain or snow. 
The coldest February of our period by 4° - 3, and probably the 
coldest for many years; the only rather warm days were 1st and 
2nd, and 12th to 14th. No rain or snow fell from 4th to 10th, 
