1677 – 1697: First Rain Records

            This period is brief but is a necessary division in climate records.  In 1677, the first quantitative records of rainfall amounts are recorded in Townley, England.  Sixteen of the 20 years have measured rainfall (Figure 2.5).  Cold and wet periods dominate this short study period.  From 1677 to 1697, the weather records are becoming much more detailed.  This section has a showing of dry and mild days as the particulars of each year are becoming more important in the recording process.  Perhaps coincidentally, bad harvest are mentioned in higher frequency than previous years.  Climate data is recorded either monthly or seasonally as deemed necessary by the person at the time of the recording.  The Little Ice Age is perhaps the reason that cold and frosts are recorded 31 times in 30 years, but at the same time, mild and warm is recorded 13 times.