CHANGEABLE WEATHER

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 216, 8 June 1926, Page 6

CHANGEABLE WEATHER

REVIEW OF DOMINION CONDITIONS “The mouth of May was remarkable for the changeability of the weather,’’ states the Director of the Meteorological Office in his summary of the weather during last month. “Barometric pressure had the high range of over one and three-quarters of an inch in the south, and great fluctuations occurred over the whole Dominion.” There were three anti-cyclonic periods, culminating on May 7, 17, and 31, but between these areas of high pressure were several disturbances associated with stormy conditions. An extensive westerly depression ruled over the Dominion between May 2 and 6. The gradient was more severe in the north than in the south, and gales with heavy rain were reported, especially in and north of Cook Strait. A sudden and steep fall in the barometer on May 9 accounted for boisterous conditions and a deluge on the West Coast: pressure then continued low and the weather unsettled for a week. An ex-tropical disturbance made its appearance to the north of New Zealand on May 17, and, travelling slowly south, the centre apparently only passed about Cook Strait on May 23. This, united with an Antarctic “low,” resulted in nearly a fortnight of bad weather. Rainfall was much above the average in almost all parts of the Dominion, but, considering the turbulence of the atmosphere and partly in consequence, temperatures were comparatively mild. There were a few sharp frosts, but a good autumn growth of grass was reported.