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of very high shade temperatures. During the first three weeks
there was a marked deficiency in the rainfall, while there was
a considerable excess of bright sunshine. For the month, as a
whole, pressure was everywhere a little higher than usual; temperature
was in defect; the winds were mainly South-Westerly
and North-Westerly; rainfall was deficient in nearly all districts,
August.—The period was marked by weather of a very variable
character. About the middle of the month there was a little
coolness noticeable, otherwise there was an almost persistent
warmth, and quite at the close the heat increased to an unusual
extent, so that at a number of stations shade temperatures as
high as 90° to 95° were registered, a further increase taking
place in the opening days of September. For the month, as a
whole, pressure differed but slightly from the normal; temperature
was in excess; the winds were, for the most part,
Southerly to Westerly in direction; rainfall was deficient over
the greater portion of the kingdom.
September.—The most striking feature of the season was the great
accession of warmth which occurred at the close of August, when
the thermometer, which had previously been maintained at a very
moderate level, suddenly rose in many localities well above 8o°
on the 30th, and above 90° on the 31st. Although there were a
few heavy falls of rain in the course of the month, the first half
was, speaking generally, moderately dry, and the remainder very
dry; in several localities the last 15 days were rainless. For
the month, as a whole, pressure, temperature, and bright sunshine
were in excess of the normal; the wind showed a complete
anticyclonic circulation; and precipitation was deficient.
October.—Very changeable and unsettled atmospheric conditions
were in the ascendant during the greater part of the month.
For the whole of the month pressure was well below the usual