SPRING WEATHER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 238, 8 October 1936, Page 27

SPRING WEATHER.

SEPTEMBER RAINS.

SUMMARY FOR DOMINION

MANY RAPID CHANGES,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLING TO_N, Wednesday. Spring characteristics were yen Strongly developed in the weather fo' September, states Dr. E. Kidson Director of Meteorological Services ii his report 011 the month's weather as ii affected the Dominion as a Avhole. Pres sure was almost continually low in tin south, and there Avas consequently f persistence of westerly winds, w'hicl were frequently strong and squally. Tin weather changed rapidly, and there, were few days on which western and southen districts failed to experience a certaii amount of rain. East of the : ranges conditions were finer and move-sunny! Until the 10th, temperatures were generally low, and although the last 1C days were milder, they did not quite make up for the earlier cold. The wei and cold weather retarded growth ol vegetation in western and southern districts of the 'South Island, and over most of the North Island, where frosts were rather numerous. In Hawke's Bay about Wellington, in Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds there was rapid growth, and the season is well advanced, There is 110 shortage of feed for stock anywhere, though in some places it is rather soft. Stock are reported to be in good condition, and the lambing season, in spite of some losses due-to cold and strong wind, appears to be progressing satisfactorily. In eastern districts ol the North Island a good, warm rain would be beneficial, while in western districts and the high country generally a spall of dry, sunny weather is desired. No Heavy Falls. Though there were 110 very heavy general falls, rain was frequent throughout the month in all districts with a v\estei 1\ aspect, and me)st of Ota (T o-and Southland. In eastern districts 0 from Canterbury northward, and also in the Bay of Plenty area and Nelson the totals were generally below averages Elsewhere they were above, the month being very wet in western Otago and Southland. Temperatures were everywhere below normal, though 'the departures were not large. In western districts they were generally about 1.5 degrees F but elsewhere were seldom as much as 1 degree F. The persistent westerly weather caused a lack of sunshine 011 the West Coast of the South Island and in Southland, while, according to the New Plymouth record, Taranaki recorded about the average amount; Elsewhere totals were above the average, and eastern districts experienced a very sunny month. Blenheim had 225.0 hours and Napier 210.0. Westerly Winds. The sequences of pressure changes experienced throughout the month were remarkably constant in character and typical of spring. The anti-cyclones all passed well to the north of New Zealand, and a series of westerly depressions, each followed by several secondaries, moved rapidly from the west across the South Island. Winds blew almost continuously from a westerly quarter and gales were frequent in some part or -other of the Dominion. During the first few days cold south-westerlies prevailed. Conditions were especially boisterous on the 3rd to the 4th, when there were widespread falls of snow in both islands. There was some variation in the type of weather from the 21st to the 2.3 th. An intense anti-cyclone was centred near Chatham Islands from the 22nd to the 24th. This brought northerly winds and warmer weather over New Zealand. A shallow cyclone developed just to the north-west of the Dominion and moved in an east-south-easterly direction across the Bay of Plenty. By the 20tli, however, the westerly type of weather was again fully restored. Thunder and hailstorms were rather numerous during the month, especially in western districts, and a tornado occurred near Tauranga 011 the 10th. j In addition to that mentioned in reference to the 3rd and 4th, snow fell 011 the j high country 011-the oth, 18th and 20th J and 27th. At the end of the month the] ranges were well coated. |