The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-12-31

1883 9S o $50
1854 81 q So
1885 100 53.2-
"Geow zero
The general disposition Of the weather
for the year 1884 like that of the year pre-
ceding, was most remarkable for its I'M
even distribution OF rainfall and abrupt
changes and fluctuations Of temperature,
The wear has universally been considered
All exception to the general rule by reason
Of the long and desoating drCuth that pre-
vailed over broad and extended areas Of
our country during the summer and
autumn months.
During JANUARY both the temperature
and rainfall were above the average. The
month having entered mild and wet, slush
ard mud were general up to the 10th. The
mercury rose to 81 on the 10th, bit by the
22nd it had dropped down to within ? of
zero. During the remaining part Of the
month, the weather seemed very singular
the changes Of temperature being so
rapid and remarkably abrupt in their
nature, as to be commented on by all
observers.
FEBRUARY Of this year WIS remarka-
bic month the temperature and rainfall
were below the average. The clear blue
sky and pleasant CLEANS Of sunshine on
the famous ''ground hog day" apparently
foreshadowed the severe term that fol-
lowed. Prior to the. 9tl period Of mild.
'seft weather. prevailed, but after that
came q season of rigorous but uniform
weather, with low temperatures and gem
which the aggregate depth for the month
was l6 inches. On the 10th the mercury
plunged to u below zero, and on the 2lst
was as low as 109 below zero. The
weather on this date was the coolest of
the year,
III MARCH, like the month preceding,
the temperature aud rainfall were below
the average. The month was ushered in
with the weather partaking of all the
characteristics of the proyerhial Lamb, =
but by the 9Th had assumed the dash and
fury OF the "I4ion." On the Eth and 18th
a piercing cold wind from the northeast
subsequently proved itself to he the van
guard Of a great storm that ragged and
hoWled at this point with almost the force
of a hurricane. The mercury fell rapidly
and al day on the 10Th ranged from s to 10
1arpooo ahaT4a pnrcOrG
exposed to the weatheg on this day, say
that it Was tie most fearful they
ever Experienced in their lives. The
montlcontinued cold aud blustery to the
close.
| April came IL the beginning of a warm
mild term. The temperature for the
whole month was above while the rainfall
| WAS below the average. The lowest ranges
Of the thermometef were on the 4th and
9th and the highest on the I'D, 23d and
24th. On the Sth the first thunder shower
Of the season paid its respects to this part
Of the State. On the 18th heavy snow
storm, such as is seldom experienced in
this latitude. covered the earth with a
| white mantle for the last til;le during tho
season. Considerable blusUer with gener.
ally backward weather continued up til
the 18th, after which came an interval Of
fine spring like weather that lasted up tc
near the close Of the month. Frogs were
oroaki1g on the 10th, and Oh the 22d The
! first swallow appeared and the first note OF
the whip-poor-w was heard. Hogs wal
! lowed in the mire on the 23rd and by tht
26th many of the fruit trees were out ii
full bloom
During The mGNt!i Of AsA> both the TEN
+, perature and the rainfall were above The
average. The weather from the 1st to The
18th was warm, moist and seaSonable, TIKI
rainy days during the interval being The
lst, It'll, 18th and 18th. The goth marked
the beginning of an interval Of heavy pre-
cipitatioD-raiu haying fallen on eyer,
day fIGip this date up to thesiast day of tht
/ month. On the night Of the 23d on
Southern sky was brilliantly illuminated
by the sudden appearance of Il very larg
meteor. Lightning and thunder were fire
quent GU the 18th and Both.
For JUNE the Temperature was above
while the rainfall was below the average
9.his mouth is remembered for the duh
murky aud generally unpleasant. DISPOSE
ton Of the Weather-the whole being in
terspersed with waves aud clap wares o
both sul.ry and reactionary periods. Ligh
showers accompanied with thunder an
lightning were frequent during the Hrs
and second weeks. The warme3t days c
the month we're lie {&th, 18th and lGt!
III which dates the mercury rose TO u i
tbe shade From the 24th TO the 2Sth III
weather seemed strangely dull, dark ali
calm. there being no sunshine at this tim
, for four days in succession. During til
, last 10 DAYS of the month fearful ana a
> structive storms passed over various st,
: tiona Of this State. Though this immediat
= community escaped, other sections wei
visited by violent thunderstotms whe
2 benses were unroofed and demolished in
3 wav that forcibly reminded one of Il
5 mighty power that rides witt s. lenen
!. Of the upper deep.
{ ID Jgl,Y. as iii June, the temperate
5 was above, while jhe rainfall was belo
: HE average On the morning Of the ,.
z the Temperature was ptnonenaly cool
t Inc thermometer registering 81. Flo
: was reported along the iowirls antt ii
stated that ice formed at GaLli,t - !