Sunshine Last Year Was Lowest Since 1928

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31262, 7 January 1967, Page 17

Sunshine Last Year Was Lowest Since 1928

Sunshine recorded in Christchurch last year—lB36 hours—was the lowest since records began in 1928. The

weather during the year, however, was drier and slightly warmer than normal. Temperatures at the beginning of the year were high, according to a summary issued by the meteorological office at Harewood. On January 1, the highest temperature for three years, 93 degrees, was recorded at Harewood. During January and February, temperatures exceeded 80 degrees on 16 days, but sunshine was well below average for both months.

March and April were pleasant autumn months, but May was cold and unsettled, with frequent wintry outbreaks.

At the beginning of winter many mild, sunny days were experienced, and a record temperature of 71 degrees was taken on June 2. July and August, although very dry, were cloudier and colder than normal. The last 10 days in fiptember and all of October were sunny and settled, but November and most of December were generally wet, cloudy and cool. It was the wettest November for 14 years with 3.92 inches of rain. In an exceptionally heavy storm on November 18 rainfalls up to II inches were recorded. Two to three inches of hail were measured in some suburbs. The weather cleared briefly between December 11 and 24 and high temperatures were recorded. The last week of the year was, however, unsettled and cool. The sunniest month was October, when 231 hours were recorded. July had the lowest total, 100 hours. January, February, November and December all registered very low totals and the 112 hours in February was the lowest ever for a summer month.

Rainfall for the year was 21.56 inches, compared with the average of 26 inches and 29.07 inches in the previous year. Rain fell on 114 days, against the average of 130 days. The heaviest daily fall of 1.39 inches was on November 21. July was the driest month with 0.80 inches. Hail fell on 11 days and snow on one. The year was generally less windy than normal, but a gust of 73 miles an hour on November 29 was the highest since April, 1953. USE the Advertisements in “The Press” to plan your buying. They will save you many hours of Shopping Time.