Exceptionally Mild May In N.Z.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29843, 8 June 1962, Page 13

Exceptionally Mild May In N.Z.

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. June 7. May was exceptionally mild. With unusually good pasture growth, according to notes on the weather issued by the New Zealand Meteorological Service. It was Also a good month for stock, except in parts of the Auckland province. Nelson and Marlborough, where the ground was too wet after excessive rain. Some effects of the unusually mild autumn include plants flowering, raspberries producing an extra crop, very slow sales of winter clothing, and no snow for the start of the ski-ing season in the North Island.

Rainfall Rainfall was above average over nearly the whole of the provinces of Auckland. Nelson. Marlborough, Westland and Canterbury. In the Bay of Plenty. Nelson and Marlborough it was mainly at least double the average. Rotorua. with 18.25 in. had its wettest May in more than 75 years of records. In the surrounding area 32in, was reached in places. Both in the Bay of Plenty and the Nelson-Marlborough area nearly all the rain fell in three periods, the May 3. 17-20 and 30 and 31. The second period caused flooding in the Rangitaiki plains of the eastern Bay of Plenty, and the period at the end of the month caused flooding in this same area and also in parts of Nelson and Northland. It was appreciably drier than usual in the North Island south of Hawera and Gisborne (except in southern Manawatu and Wellington) and also over most of Otago and Southland.

Temper*turea were above normal over the whole country, mainly by about 4 degrees. Highest departures, exceeding 5 degree*, were recorded in Bay or Plenty, about Cook Strati, and in Cant£bury from Christchurch northward. ■ In some of these areas it was the warmest May on records. Frosts were much less frequent than usual.

Sunshine Sunshine was below average over nearly the whole of the Auckland province, by 20-40 hours, also in Canterbury, by 20-30 hours. The only areas favoured with more than 20 hours above average were Wanganui and southern Hawke's Bay with parts of northern Manawatu. and Central Otago.