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14
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS—1952
Some few years ago it was decided, for various reasons (one of
which was atmospheric pollution), to remove the Royal Observatory
from Greenwich to Herstmonceux in Sussex and as a result, meteorological
observations at the Observatory during the last two or three
years have been gradually curtailed, until in July of this year they
finally ceased.
Nevertheless, in order to ensure that no lapse occurred in the
records for this district, arrangements were made for limited observations
to be continued at the National Maritime Museum.
I am, therefore, indebted not only to Sir Harold Spencer Jones,
F.R.S., Astronomer Royal, for the data for the period January to
July, but also to the Director of the National Maritime Museum for
information for the period August to December.
Period January to July
(Observations made at the Royal Observatory).
Temperature: The maximum temperature in the shade was
89.4° on June 29 and 30. Temperatures exceeding 80° were recorded
on 13 days, 1 in May, 4 in June, and 8 in July. The lowest temperature
was 21.4° on January 27.
Rainfall: For the first seven months of the year 9.39 inches of
rain were measured, being 3.54 inches below the average for that
period, every month except March being deficient.
Sunshine : A total of 933.3 hours, about 5 hours above the
average, was registered. March had a deficiency of about 30 hours
and April an excess of the same amount. There were 28 sunless
days, 10 in January and only 4 in the months April to July.
Period August to December
(Observations made at the National Maritime Museum).
Highest temperature in the Stevenson Screen—79°F. Dates :
25th and 27th August.
Temperature exceeding 80°F.—None.
Lowest temperature—22°F. on 25th November.
Maximum winter temperature during November and December.
57°F. on 2nd and 10th November.
Sunshine: Total hours recorded—463.3. Sunniest day—28th
August. Number of hours of sunshine—12.
There were 40 days when no sun was recorded at all. One day
in August, three days in September, six days in October, twelve
days in November, 18 days in December.
Rainfall: Total 14.22 inches. Highest 24 hours, 2.22 inches
on 6th August. Driest month, December, with 2.09 inches of rain.
Wettest month, November, with 3.65 inches of rain. Average for
the five months—2.84 inches.