Dry Year At Lincoln

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32194, 13 January 1970, Page 10

Dry Year At Lincoln

Although 1969 was a dry year sunshine hours were well below the long-term average, says the annual meteorological report from Lincoln College. There were 1990.8 hours of sunshine last year, 14 hours fewer than the long term average.

The year was not exceptionally dry at Lincoln because of several heavy local falls of rain. The year’s total of 17.93 in, although well below average, was not as dry as 1964, when only 16.48 in was recorded.

Last year was the eighth driest on record at Lincoln. The driest was in 1915, when 13.28 in was recorded. Last year began in a spectacular manner with a severe hail and thunderstorm on January 21. followed by drought conditions induced by warm temperatures in March and April. The dry spell began again in July and continued into September. The position was reversed in October, when snow falls and severe spring frosts caused considerable damage. In November the drought returned, but was broken in December, which was marked by exceptionally warm

weather and an above-aver-age rainfall. December temperatures were high, especially by night, and the mean temperature of 63.2 degrees has not been exceeded since 64.7 degrees was recorded in 1935. Twenty-one days had temperatures of more than 70 degrees, five of these exceeding 80 degrees. The maximum temperature for the month, 86.1, was recorded on December 21.

The mean maximum of 72.8 degrees, however, has been exceeded as recently as 1964, when 73.6 degrees was recorded.

The drought was broken by a rainfall of 2.70 in., and many crops—especially grain and pea crops—will produce yields of higher quality and quantity than at first thought. An evaporation of 6.854 inches, however, gave little relief, to grass and lucerne. Any new growth was quickly burnt off with the following high temperatures. With the aid of irrigation berry fruit and vegetables looked very well, with good quality fruit being harvested.

Black currants were about two weeks earlier than usual and “heat-loving” crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes did particularly well.