JANUARY WEATHER, 1896.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 181, 4 February 1896, Page 2

JANUARY WEATHER, 1896.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— The rainfall for the past month was 397 inches, as against 2-69 in January, 1895. Eain was registered on 17 days during the month, the heaviest fall being 207, which fell during the heavy thunderstorm mentioned below. The maximum temperature was 84 on the 28th and oOtb, and the minimum 40 on the 22nd. The month has been most remarkable for three distinct and unusual phenomena. In the first place, for its low temperature ; secondly, for the long continuance of strong northwesterly gales, which lasted from the middle to nearlly the end of the month ; and thirdly, and lastly, for that most wonderful and (iv my 76 years' experience) unprecedented display of atmospheric electricity, with sheet, forked, chain, and summer lightning, during the night of the 3rd, commencing about 9 p.m., and continuing without intermission until 5 a m., the display being accompanied between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. with two most violent thunderstorms, and a rainfall of 207 inches, and causing many timid persons (as I hear; to believe tho world was coming to an end and to hide their heads under the bed clothes, instead of getting up and watching the most beautiful and wonderful sight they are ever likely to see again. I have been very much surprised that the public press seen; to have taken such lifctk; notice of this most remarkable phenomenon, as it, no doubt, must have been observed in many parts of the colony. The following particulars of the temperature of the month, compared with January, 1895, will be interesting : — January, 1596, mean temperature, 9.30 a.m., 6335 inches, mean maximum 72 61, mean minimum 53*03 ; January, 1895, mean temperature at 9.30 a.m. 7280, mean maximum 80*22, mean minimum 52-99. I am, etc., Saml. Goodbehere. Feilding, February Ist, 1896.