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4S
singular absence of anything like hot weather, shade temperatures
of 75° and upwards being rare, and there was only one instance of
80° in the whole month. Between the 14th and 16th, fresh or
strong South-Westerly gales were felt at several stations in the
North and West. For the month, as a whole, pressure was
somewhat above the average, the winds were very variable in
direction, temperature and rainfall were generally below the
normal, and the duration of bright sunshine was, as a rule,
greater than usual.
July.—The drier and more settled atmospheric conditions which
formed the characteristic feature of the month of June were
maintained with comparatively little variation throughout July.
The contrast between them and the corresponding months of last
year, which were abnormally wet, was very striking. There was
a great prevalence of fine and bright weather, and the sun's rays
were very powerful, the solar radiation thermometer frequently
exceeding 140°, and on some days passing above 150°. Hot days
were therefore numerous, with shade temperature above 80°, and
in some instances over 90°. In many localities there were from
10 to 15 consecutive days without any rain. Taking the month
as a whole pressure was above the normal, except at a few west
coast stations ; the winds were mainly from between South and
West ; temperature and bright sunshine were in excess in most
localities, and rainfall was rather unequally distributed both as
regards frequency and amount.
August.—The weather of August was of a very variable nature. At
the commencement and end of the month the conditions were
fine and warm (the highest temperatures of all being registered on
the 3rd or 4th), but at other times the weather was distinctly
cool, with frequent rain, and occasional thunderstorms in most
districts. Pressure was slightly above the normal, but temperature
was in most instances below the average ; the winds were chiefly
from between South and West; rainfall differed greatly in amount in
various parts of the kingdom, but was generally in excess of the
mean ; bright sunshine also showed an excess in most districts.