WEATHER IN APRIL

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30121, 3 May 1963, Page 13

WEATHER IN APRIL

Mean Temperature Low The mean temperature in Christchurch last month was the lowest for April for 13 years. Earth temperatures were close to average, which, together with a high rainfall. maintained pastoral growth, but there W’ere several cold nights and day temperatures were lower than normal, according to the monthly report from the weather office at the Christchurch airport. The highest temeperature was 78 degrees, registered on April 6 at the Botanic Gardens. and the lowest was 31.7 degrees on April 4. at Harewood. The mean temperature at the Botanic Gardens was 51 9 degrees and at Harewood 50.7 degrees, and the average temperature for the month was 53.5 degrees.. Rainfall for the month was 3.21 inches at the Botanic Gardens and 2.11 inches at Harewood. Rain fell on 11 days ait the Botanic Gardens and on 10 days at Harewood. The greatest fall was 1.31 inches, on April 18 at the Botanic Gardens.

There was 154 hours of sunshine at Harewood. The average for April is 140 hours.

There was a cold, wet spell from April 18 to April 21, associated with a vigorous depression to the east of Canterbury, and this produced two-thirds of the month's rainfall. Fine, sunny weather followed, with several light ground frosts. Apart from strong southerly winds connected with the depression during the middle of the month, winds were generally light from between east and south. There was a southwesterly gale during the night of April 18.