THE WEATHER IN OCTOBER

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27499, 5 November 1954, Page 10

THE WEATHER IN OCTOBER

ABNORMALLY DRY AND SUNNY MONTH

Abnormally dry sunny weather persisted throughout last month, causing moderate drought conditions with a slowing of growth and a drying of herbage, according to a report on meteorological observations made during October, at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. On the lighter soil types pasturage is Very short and dry, simulating late summer or autumn conditions. A 13.3 degree frost on October 16 caused considerable damage. A number of climatological records were established during the month. These are as follows: Eighteen poinls is the lightest rainfall in October since 1929; when 14 points were recorded. Rainfall to date, 16.98 inches, is the lowest since the .dry year of 1949. Sunshine was 57 hours or 29 per cent, above average, also the greatest since Humidity, 55 per cent., is the lowest since 1901. Grass minimum, 17 degrees on October 16, is the lowest since 1895, when 15.2 degrees was recorded. Cultivation and sowings are up to date, but difficulty has been experienced, to the preparation of seed beds The land has been hard and dry. and most seed beds have been worked to a rubbly condition only. Considering the conditions, most crops are carrying on fairly well. Autumn -sown wheat and most spiing barley and pea crops show some effects from dry conditions. Pasture growth has been exceedingly slow. First cuts of lucerne have been hayed in good condition. Small quantities of silage have been made on dairy farms with little pre-wilting required. Stock health has been excellent, and lambs to date have had very satisfactory growth rates. The frost on October 16 caused Widespread damage to frost-tender vegetables, fruit trees, walnuts, gooseberries, strawberries, azaleas, hydrangeas and roses. _ A summary of readings taken at 9 a.m. daily, with the corresponding figures for last year to parenthesis, is as follows: Mean height of barometer (in inches). 80.142 (29J53); mean humidity (per cent.), OS (7&3); mean maximum temperature, 87.8 deg. (60.0 deg.); highest maximum temperature (on October 31), 84.7 deg. (83.0 deg. mean minimum temperature, 40.1 deg. (41.6 deg. lowest minimum temperature (on October 16), 21.4 deg. (31.6 deg. mean grass minimum temperature, SS.ldeg. (37.7 deg. lowest grass minimum temperature, (October 16), 17.0 deg. (28.0 deg. mean temperature for month, SS.OSdeg. (So.Bdeg.); mean range of temperatures for month, 27.7 deg. (18.4 deg. mean earth temperature (at eight inches), 51.3 deg. (49.5 deg. days of frost, 8 (7); rainfall. O.l&in (2»s4in)r rainfall to date, 16.98 in (27.92 in hours of sunshine, 250.6 (161.7); mean amount of cloud (to eighths), 4.3 (5.4); miles of wind, 7985 (6727); mean force of wind, 8.0 (2.5); evaporation for month, 3.987