climate of jerusalem Summary and Overview

THE CLIMATE OF JERUSALEM The rainy season extends from October to March. Snow sometimes falls to the depth of a foot or more, and the pools are covered with a thin coating of ice; but the ground never freezes, and many winters pass without any signs of either snow or ice. The natives build no fires merely for warming themselves. During the summer, rain is almost unknown. A north-westerly breeze from the Mediterranean then prevails between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. The meteorological observations of Dr. Thomas Chaplin, an English physician, at Jerusalem for over 3 years, from Nov., 1863, to Feb. 1867, showed that the mean temperature was 63°; highest mean for 40 months, 77°, in July, 1866; lowest, 42°.8, in Jan., 1864. The range of the thermometer was from 25°, Jan. 20, 1864, to 102°.5, June 27, 1865, showing a variation of 77°.5. Dr. Barclay says that nearly every species of vegetable in common use in the United States has been successfully cultivated in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Oranges, limes, and lemons are to be had in the greatest profusion and perfection almost the entire year round. The oranges of Jerusalem mostly come from Jaffa, where they are grown in great abundance.