672751-1884-Weather-Report-February-1884- — Page 1

SUPPLEMENT

To the HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE of 22nd March, 1884.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.No. 105.

The following report from the Government Astronomer for the month of February, 1884, is blished for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 22nd March, 1884.

W. H. MARSH,

Colonial Secretary.

HONGKONG OBSERVATORY.

Weather Report for February, 1884.

In the China Coast Meteorological Register-based on information transmitted by the Great ́orthern and the Eastern Extension Telegraph Companies-which I have published daily, is given a immary of the atmospheric circumstances in Manila and along the Coast of China as far north as hanghai.

It At the beginning of the month the Barometer had risen to about its mean height here. gistered 30.5 inches at Shanghai and 30.1 inches at Manila. Fresh or Strong E. Breezes, indicated y the Gradients, prevailed here. The Barometer fell slowly along the Coast and at the same time rose in Manila. On the 3rd at 10 a. the lowest Pressure was registered at Hongkong. Hence radients were inverted and the Wind veered to W. The Temperature was high and in the afternoon remarkable squall passed across the Coast and brought down heavy Rain S. of Shanghai, in which lace a severe snow-storin was experienced. The following days normal atmospheric conditions set in. he sky cleared and Temperature and Humidity decreased owing to the prevalence of Northerly Winds. In the 10th, Gradients indicated Easterly Winds, the Barometer having slightly fallen here. The sky as overcast, the Temperature and the Humidity increased and Rain fell at most stations along the Joast. The following days the Barometer continued falling, Gradients indicated gentle Winds and he Humidity rose to a maximum. The Barometer then continued almost starionary with moderate radients for NE. Winds up to the 21st. The sky continued overeast, the Temperature was rising nd the Humidity great. The 21st the Barometer rose, the sky cleared and the Humidity decreased. The Barometer fell again between the 24th and the 28th but the 27th it stood higher here than at Shanghai. The Humidity was then increasing but partially clear sky still obtained.

The Standard Barometer at the Observatory is placed 110 feet above Mean Sea Level. The bulbs. f the Thermometers are about 109 feet above Mean Sea Level and 4 feet above the ground, except the faximum Thermometer, which is a few inches higher, and the Terrestrial Radiation Thermometer, which is about one inch above the ground. The four Thermometers are fixed in a Stephenson Screen t a distance of 75 feet SW. of the main building, but they are placed over dry earth, as the levelled round round the Observatory has not yet been turfed. Most of the Self-recording Instruments were rected in the course of February. It is expected that they will be adjusted and ready for work luring the month of March.

ut.

At Victoria Peak, the Instruments, except the Radiation Thermometers, are placed in the Look- The Barometer is about 1,823 Ket above Sea Lovel. The bulbs of the Thermometers are about 4 eet above the floor, except the Maximmn and the Terrestrial Radiation Thersnoracters, which are placed it the same height above the grouri as at the Observatory. Unfortunately the Solar Radiation Ther- nometer was not properly placed, and the readings are therefore somewhat defective. At Cape d'Aguilar. he Thermometers are placed abou 170 feet above Sea Level, in a wooden sereen 2 feet above the ground, except the Maximum Thermometer, which is a few inches higher.