220 
RAINFALL IN HERTFORDSHIRE IN 1886 . 
1*18, Bothamsted, 1*15, and Southgate, 1*10. This snowstorm 
came upon ns very suddenly upon the evening of 26th, and the 
snow being almost twice its usual density the storm did considerable 
damage, completely paralysing our telegraphic system. 
During the year there were four days upon which the fall 
exceeded an inch at some one or more stations, namely 2 in May, 
1 in July, and 1 in December. 
As regards droughts, adopting Mr. Symons’ definition that an 
absolute drought is a period of not less than 14 days with no 
measurable rainfall, we find two such periods, the first being 
June 23rd to July 10th, or 18 days, at all stations with the 
following exceptions: Tring, -02, Berkhamsted, *01, and Southgate, 
*06, on 9th; Ware (Eanhams Hall), ‘04, and Hadham, *01, on 7th; 
the second period was September 10th to 24th, or 15 days, which 
was an absolute drought at all stations, lasting at Kensworth from 
9th to 25th, or 17 days. 
The following table gives the number of rainfall stations and the 
mean rainfall for 1886 in Herts and in the five adjacent counties 
of Camhs, Essex, Middlesex, Bucks, and Beds, the values being 
computed from the yearly totals published in ‘ British Bainfall.’ 
County. Stations. Mean Fall. County. Stations. Mean Fall. 
Herts.. 
. 25 ... 
... 27‘50 
Middx. 
. 57 ... 
... 26-29 
Carabs . 
. 29 
... 24-89 
Bucks. 
. 15 ... 
... 29-50 
Essex. 
. 34 ... 
... 22-62 
Beds . 
. 23 .. 
... 26-23 
Average Bainfall, 26- 17 ins. 
The rainfall in Hertfordshire was therefore greater than in any 
one of the immediately surrounding counties except Buckingham¬ 
shire, and was about 5 per cent, above the mean for the whole 
area embraced by the six counties. 
