WEATHER IN 1959

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29099, 11 January 1960, Page 11

WEATHER IN 1959

More Sunshine, Less Rain

Although 1959 ended with a very cloudy December, the year’s sunshine total of 2123 hours was well above average and the highest of the main centres, according to a summary of weather for the year compiled by the Meteorological Office at the Christchurch airport. Other features during the year were some remarkably dry periods, although the total rainfall was only 3in below the average, and the lowest maximum temperature ever recorded.

March. April and May were the only months in which the average rainfall was exceeded—May, with 8.61 in, being the third wettest month of all months ever recorded, says the report. The rainfall during the last seven months was below average fc each month, with a very low total of 5.98 in for the period for June 6 to December 31.

In June rain fell on only two days for 0.15 in, and in August, on four days for 0.54 in, giving the driest winter since 1915. There were six periods of absolute drought throughout the year Christchurch was the driest of the main centres, with 23-< ! 3in of rain. Apart from May and June, the year was warmer than average. There were several very high temperatures at the beginning of the year, rising higher than 80 degrees on 22 occasions—the highest temperature being 92.1 degrees on January 19.

On March 9 an all time high for months of 90.4 degrees was recorded; at the other end of the scale, however, on June 26 the maximum temperature of 35.5 degrees was the lowest ever recorded in the city. Christchurch’s sunshine total of 2123 hours was 80 hours more than Auckland’s total of 2043. Wellington had 2074 hours and Dunedin 1825 hours.

Both June and August in Christchurch had record sunshine figures and the total for the winter months—June. July and August—of 527 hours was another record. December Weather

December was the seventh consecutive month with rainfall below average, only about half the usual amount being recorded. The total of 136 hours of sunshine was nearly 70 hours below average.

Weather recordings taken at the Christchurch airport and the Botanic Gardens for the month, with the average figures in parenthesis. were:— Highest maximum temperature. Harewood: 80.1 deg; Botanic Gardens. 82.Ideg; lowest minimum temperature ,45.1 deg (45.1 deg lowest grass minimum temperature, 40.4 deg. (422 deg mean temperature, 59.5 deg (59.0 deg 60.7 deg (59.5 deg rainfall, 1.44 in (2.38 in 1.20 in (2.49 in number of days of rain. 11 (10), 8 (11): greatest rainfall in 24 hours. 0.67 in On December 14. 0.45 in on December 14: bright sunshine, 136 hours (20 hours), no record.