MILD WEATHER IN APRIL

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25181, 12 May 1947, Page 8

MILD WEATHER IN APRIL

ABSENCE OF WESTERLY WINDS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 10. The weather in most districts of New Zealand in April was cloudy and mild, with a notable absence of westerly winds. This is stated in a review supplied by the Government Meteorological Service. Easterlies were strong at times in the north, but winds in general were light. Substantial rain fell in most districts where it was urgently required, though more rain is peeded in inland districts of Otago and Southland. Autumn growth m most of the North Island was exceptional, while there were far fewer frosts than normal. The total rainfall for the month was again well below average in the western and southern part of the South Island. In Taranaki, Manawatu, and west of the Tararuas there were small deficiencies. Rainfall was in excess in the remainder of the country. More than double the average amount fell on the east coast of the Auckland peninsula, near Gisborne, and in North Canterbury. In Nelson, Westland, and in most of the North Island mean temperatures were slightly above normal. Temperatures in the remainder of the South Island, and also the Gisborne and Wairarapa districts, were slightly cooler than usual, highest deficiencies being in Canterbury. Except in Taranaki, the North Island sunshine was below average, especially over the Auckland and Hawke’s Bay provinces, where the deficiency exceeded the equivalent of an hour a day. Only in Canterbury and coastal Otago were sunshine totals below average in the South Island. The West Coast, for the third consecutive month, was much sunnier than usual.