WEATHER DURING DECEMBER

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28480, 9 January 1958, Page 13

WEATHER DURING DECEMBER

Records At Lincoln College

More wind and rain and lower soil temperature and less sunshine were the main features of the weather in December, according to observations made at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. Rain fell early in the month and there were then fine conditions until December 17, after which, wet, cloudy and cool weather brought about unseasonable conditions. Rainfall for the month was 3.07 inches, 77 points above average, and brought the yearly total to 33.65 in, which is 7.73 in above the annual average. Air temperatures were normal, soil temperatures and sunshine were below the average while miles of wind run were 1000 more than usual.

Growth of pastures and lucerne were good and hay aftermaths came away to provide considerable grazing. Second cuts of lucerne were moderately heavy and, where not affected by rains late in the month, were of good quality. Forage crops have grown very well but in some cases have suffered from fathen competition. Stock health remained normal throughout the month although lambs did not seem to grow as fast as Homa gardeners found It difficult to keep Up with routine sowings and work due to bad weather late in the month. All vegetable crops were slow to mature or ripen. Observations made during the months, with last December’s figures in parenthesis, were:— Mean humidity, 80 per cent (80); mean maximum temperature, 68.9 deg (69.3); highest maximum temperature, 82.9 deg (82.9); mean minimum temperature, 46.5 deg (49.0); lowest minimum temperature, 35J)deg (36.0); lowest gran minimum temperature, 29.1 deg (30.1); mean temperature for month, 58.7 deg (59.2); mean range of temperature for month, 22.4 deg (20.4); mean earth temperature, 57.9 deg (60.7); days of frost 1 (1); rainfall, 3.071 n (2.60); rainfall to date, 33.64 in (2824); hours of sunshine, 200.4 (208.0); mean amount of cloud in eighths, 5.6 (5.7); miles of wind, 8614 (7645); mean force of wind, 2.8 (2.4); evaporation for month, 5-849 (4247).