WEATHER IN FEBRUARY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23891, 9 March 1943, Page 3

WEATHER IN FEBRUARY

♦ DIFFICULT CONDITIONS FOR HARVESTING (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 8. February was a dull month with little settled weather. Except in northern districts rains and strong winds were frequent so that conditions were difficult for harvesting, states the Dominion Meteorologist in his review of February's weather. Rainfall totals were well above average in Taranaki, western Wellington, Nelson, and Westland. Mangahao Dam and Otira had more than 30 inches of rainfall. Over three times the normal falls were received in western Nelson. Rainfall was generally deficient over) the north-eastern half of the North Island. Falls were light from Timaru southwards almost to Dunedin. In the remaining districts mostly moderate surpluses were experienced. Temperatures were cool in Taranaki and the South Island with the exception of most of Canterbury. Elsewhere temperatures were milder than average. A few light frosts occurred on February 10 and isolated ones again on February 27. Except in the extreme north sunshine values were poorer than usual. Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, and Westland provinces suffered most in i this respect. Very few February months have had less sunshine, and for some stations this year's values became new low records.