JUNE WEATHER.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19975, 9 July 1930, Page 6

JUNE WEATHER.

COLDEST FOR MANY YEARS. SOME STORMY PERIODS. (PEES 8 ASSOCIATION TELEGBAH.) WELLINGTON, July 8. The weather report issued by Dr. KMson, Director of Meteorological Services, says that the June just past was the coldest for a number of years. Though the weather was at times stormy and showery conditions prevailed in many places, the rainfall generally was much below normal, and there was a large amount of sunshine. Bainfalls in excess of the average were experienced in North Auckland and about Foveaux Strait. At Tauranga also, largely owing to a fall of 6.45 inches on the 20th, there was an excess. In all other parts there was a considerable deficit. This was most accentuated in Nelson and Marlborough, and the interior of the South Island, where much of the weather was beautifully fine. At Nelson it was the driest June on record.

The cold weather was accounted for by the marked prevalence of southerly winds during the month. Temperatures were from ldeg. Fahr. to 2.sdeg. Fahr. below normal, and frosts were everywhere very numerous, often severe. Vegetation made little growth, and winter feeding of stock has been resorted to in many cases. Owing to the abundance of rough autumn feed and good reserves of hay, ensilage, etc., stoek mostly are in good condition. In parts of the Waikato some growth of grass is recorded, and prospects are very favourable. On the whole, however, winter growth has been poor, and the rainfall deficient, so that some warm spring rains will be badly needed. The month began with a vigorous cyclone operating on the coast of New South Wales, where severe floods had been caused by continued heavy rains. This main cyclone lost its energy to a large extent before reaching New Zea land, and passing north of the Domin ion on the night of the 3rd affected our weather comparatively little. Easterly gales blew north of Auckland, and short-lived south-easterlies in Cook Strait. This storm was followed by a series of similar ones, which lasted until the 7th. They all took a northward track, and except to produce southerly winds and cold weather, continued to have little influence on the South Island. Heavy rains were recorded between the 3rd and sth in North Auckland. The Puhipuhi plan tation had 13.73 inches during this period, of which 6.35 inches fell on the 4th. On the Bth another depression of the cyclonic form appeared in the Tasman Sea, and deepening considerably during the next two days, crossed* the North Island from Cape Egmont to Napier on the 10th. Bain was fairly general, and there were some heavy falls, particularly in Taranaki and northern and north-western portions of the South Island. There were westerly gales in North Auckland on the lOtli during the passage of the centre, and on the following day southerly galea were widespread. Pressure became very high ower the Tasman Sea following the passage of the cyclone, while it remained low to the east of New Zealand. Strong southerly winds continued in consequence until the 14th, with bitterly cold weather. The gale On the 11th was severe, and slight damage was done.; The ferry steamer between Wellington and Lyttelton experienced delays. Snow fell on the high country as far north as East Cape, while in Canterbury and Otago it extended to parts of the lowlands. Mount Egmont had the heaviest snowfall for years. Hail and sleet were recorded at many places. The third period of stormy weather occurred from the 20th to the 25th. A depression which crossed the Dominion on the 20th again assumed cyclonic form. Bains were practically general over the North Island, but more scattered in the South. Particularly heavy falls were recorded in Auckland _ province, the majority of places receiving over two inches. The highest registration was 7.06 inches at Okere Falls, near Botorua, but Tauranga, as already noted, received 6.45 inches, and Waihi 5.14 inches. There were boisterous westerly winds also in the Auckland, Thames, and East Cape districts on the. 20th, -slight damage being done. Another spell of strong southerly winds and cold temperatures followed. Tho 21st was a particularly bitter day, especially in Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. Heavy falls of snow occurred almost everywhere in these provinces, while there were frequent showers of hail or sleet. Snow and hail oontinued to be experienced in the south at intervals. until the 25th. The conditions appear to have been most severe in the district round Gore. A severe thunderstorm occurred in Foveaux Strait during a west south-westerly gale at 5 a.m. on the 25th, when Dog Island lighthouse was struck. It was not until the 26th that the southerlies died down in Foveaux Strait region. Although there was an unusual frequency of hail and snowstorms during the month, the accumulation of snow on the ranges does not appear to have been heavy except at a few places.