RECORD MAY TEMPERATITRE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 6

RECORD MAY TEMPERATITRE

79.1 DEGREES IN CHRISTCHURCH

The temperature in Christchurch yesterday soared to a record for May of 79.1 degrees at the Geophysical Observatory (81.7 degrees at Wigram), while a hot north-west wind reached gusts of gale force. The change from dull, cold weather began in the early hours of the morning when the wind sprang up. It caused many sleepers to rise and close windows, and many were kept awake till dawn by the oppressive heat. The temperature had risen to 73.5 degrees by 5.30 a.m., 74 degrees by 9 a.m.. 77.5 ’degrees at noon, and to its maximum just before 1 p.m. At 6 o’clock in the evening it had dropped back only to 69 degrees.

The heat was felt more because of the high humidity at 54 per cent., compared with the average of 20 to 30 per cent.

The previous highest temperature | for May was 77.1 degrees on May 5,' 1942.

The wind was recorded at 25 miles an hour at Wigram during the morn- I ing, with gusts up to 40 miles an hour. ! and as late as 3.30 p.m. it had a J velocity of 39 miles an hour. By dusk j it had eased, but there were still gusts < up to 28 miles an hour. A southerly breeze arose early in the evening, but more nor’-westers are forecast for to-day.

Throughout North Canterbury there were similar conditions yesterday; but rain began at Oxford about 6 p.m. and was falling steadily later in the evening.