THE WEATHER IN MAY

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27675, 3 June 1955, Page 9

THE WEATHER IN MAY

MAGNETIC SURVEY’S REPORT May this year was an exceptionally warm month, with a temperature of 79.7 degrees on May 6—a record maximum for 51 years, says the monthly meteorological report of the Magnetic Survey in Christchurch. The mean temperature of 50.7 degrees was 3.1 degrees above average and the second highest on record. This was exceeded in May, 1950. when there was a mean temperature of 51.1 degrees. The mean maximum temperature of 59.6 degrees was 3.9 degrees higher than normal, and also a record. The sunshine total of 144.8 hours was 15.5 hours more than usual. The mean grass minimum temperature was 4.8 degrees higher than average. Nine frosts were recorded, compared with the average of 14. Rainfall for the month totalled 3.29 inches. On May 4, 2.23 inches fell—the heaviest fall in 24 hours since February 9, 1951, when 3.07 inches fell. The mean relative humidity of 93 per cent at 9 a.m. was 6 per cent, higher than average. Earth temperatures at Ift, 3ft and sft, were respectively 2.8, 2.6 and 2.0 degrees higher than average. The temperature at 3ft was a record and at Ift and sft the second highest on record. Details of readings taken for the month are:— Barometer.—Mean for month, 1013.4 millibars; highest reading (May 12), 1031.4 millibars; lowest reading (May 25), 994.6 millibars. Temperature in Shade.—Mean for month, 50.7 deg.; highest reading (May 6), 79.7 deg.; lowest reading (May 24), 28.3 deg. Temperature exposed: mean minimum on grass, 38.1 deg.; lowest reading (May 24), 24.7 deg. Moisture.—Mean daily amount of cloud (o*B observed at 9 a.m ). 4.9; total amount of rain. *.29in; rainy days, 9; heaviest fall (May 4), 2.23 in. Earth Temperatures.—Mean at a depth of Ift, 51.7 deg.; 3ft, 55.0 deg.; sft, 57.0 deg. Sunshine (recorded at Harewood). — Total, 144.8 hours; mean daily amount, 4.7 hours.