WEATHER IN APRIL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23943, 10 May 1943, Page 3

WEATHER IN APRIL

UNUSUALLY SUNNY MONTH (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 9. April, like the previous month, was a dry, sunny month, in which several anticyclonic systems crossed directly over the New Zealand area, giving fine, clear conditions, states a report 'by the Dominion Meteorologist. Pasture grass is very short between Gisborne and Canterbury, with some very -bare areas about the Wairarapa The soil in several cases has been too hard for deep cultivation. In other areas there was sufficient rain to stimulate growth, and in gardens supplied with adequate moisture the season has been prolonged a month later than usual. There was a marked deficiency of rainfall, especially over the southern half of the North Island and in eastern districts of the south. East of the ranges, temperatures were about normal, but elsewhere they tended to be rather lower than usual. While frosts were numerous, these were less severe than usual, and most days were mild. Very little snow fell in the ranges. Last month was probably the sunniest April, for the whole country, for severaldecades. Sunshine exceeded the average almost everywhere in the Dominion, and approached or exceeded record values at several stations, with totals 40 to 60 hours, above the averaee.