Lincoln Also Had Driest Year Since 1915

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30642, 7 January 1965, Page 6

Lincoln Also Had Driest Year Since 1915

Last year was the driest at Lincoln College since 1915, as it was in Christchurch, and the fourth driest since recordings were begun in 1883. The rainfall for the year was 16.48 in. In no month did the fall reach the mean figure. According to the college’s monthly report, the year maybe considered in three phases. A dry autumn reduced the quantity of forage and greenfeed crops at a time when hay reserves were low: a mild and dry winter required less hand feeding of stock than usual: and a dry spring brought forth a very small spring flush of feed. This restricted areas closed for grassseed production, enabled little or no hay to be made, and necessitated early drafting and weaning of lambs. Last month, temperatures, sunshine, and evaporation were all above average. In, fact, the evaporation figure; was the highest for December' since an evaporimeter was in- 1 stalled in 1946.

Little rain fell at Lincoln

on the morning of December 21, when a severe electrical storm moved over the area However, 5.25 in fell at the Canterbury University radar station towards Rolleston. causing considerable damage and stock losses on a neigh- . bouring farm. There was no growth of unl irrigated pasture or lucerne 1 during the month. Crops ripened rapidly, and harvesting began between Christmas and the New Year. The highest temperature was 88 degrees on December 2 and the lowest 37.9 degrees on December 9. The mean maximum for the month was 10, degrees, compared with 68.1 degrees in December, Woo.

Only 97in of rain fell—nearly three inches less than ago. There were 267.8 hours of sunshine The following are the December mean figures at the f°*’ e BR-~Maximum temperature, 68._ degrees; minimum temperature. 47.8 degrees; 2104 hours; rain ‘