July was unsettled in Christchurch

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32676, 4 August 1971, Page 10

July was unsettled in Christchurch

The predominance of north- > easterly conditions was un- i usual in last month’s weather. : Persistent high pressure to the south-east and low pressure over and to the north of the Tasman Sea near New Zealand gave Christchurch a rather unsettled month. The first half of July was wet, cloudy, and mild, only 25 hours of sunshine being recorded. However, a temporary change to westerly conditions during the second half of the month boosted sunshine hours to nearly the average. Temperatures were lower during this period also, but over the month were slightly above notmal. The rata was showery and varied considerably from place to place, being close to norma! in the city mlt well above average at Christchurch Airport. The mean temperature for the month was s.7deg. (s.sdeg. last July) at the airport, and 6.2 deg. (s.Bdeg.) at the Botanic Gardens. The maximum was 18deg„ re-

corded both at the airport and gardens on July 28. The minimum was —3deg. at the gardens on July 17. The lowest grass temperatures were recorded on July 17. They were —7deg. at the airport and —6deg. at the gardens. The mean minimum for the month was I.2deg. (o.6deg.) at the airport and I.Bdeg. (I.4deg.) at the gardens. Rainfall for the month at the airport was 79mm (55mm), while 65mm (68mm) was recorded at the gardens. The heaviest daily rail was 26mm on July 21 at the airport and 15mm on July 14 at the gardens. The number of rainy days was 17 at the airport and 16 at the gardens, compared with 13 In both places last July. Thirteen wet days were recorded at the airport and 14 at the gardens. The number of sunless days in July was six, 115 sunshine hours (122) being recorded. There was slightly more wind than usual, with i easterly directions predominating.