WEATHER IN APRIL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28889, 8 May 1959, Page 3

WEATHER IN APRIL

Warmer And Sunnier Than Average

April in Christchurch was a warmer and sunnier month than average. The mean temperature was higher than the average, there were seven rain days at the Botanic Gardens compared with the average of 11, and 174 hours of sunshine were recorded—34 hours more than the average, according to a summary of the weather for the month. The summary was taken from figures supplied by the meteorological offices at Christchurch airport and the gardens. Although the first frost of the year, an insignificant one of one degree, was recorded on April 20, the first damaging frost was registered on the last day of the month at both offices. This frost cut back growth in some suburbs At the Christchurch airport the month’s rainfall was 2.04 in (1.73 in average), and at the Botanic Gardens 3.13 in (1.97 in average). The heaviest rainfall was 0.90 in recorded in 24 hours on April 12 at the gardens. Almost all the rain recorded fell during the second week of the month, and the first and last two weeks were sunny and dry.

The highest maximum temperature for the month, of 76.8 degrees, was recorded at the gardens, and the lowest minimum temperature, of 31.9 degrees, was also registered on April 30 in the gardens. At Christchurch airport the

lowest minimum temperature was 33.7 degrees, on April 29, and the lowest grass temperature was 29 degrees, on April 30. The similar reading to the latter at the gardens was , recorded on the same day but was 2.6 degrees lower.