FEBRUARY WEATHER

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 134, 2 March 1929, Page 8

FEBRUARY WEATHER

MORE THAN AVERAGE SUNSHINE HIGHEST FOR MANY YEARS As was to be expected in view of the small rainfall at Wellington during February, the amount of bright sunshine recorded during the month was well above the average, the total being 2344 hours. This was 45 hours more than for February, 1928, and 25 hours more than the average for about 20 years. As was stated in “The Dominion” yesterday, the rainfall for the month was only 80 points, of which 13 points were recorded after February 2. Last month was the driest February at Wellington since 1921, when 72 points were recorded. The average amount of cloud at 9 a.m. observed last month was 6.8 tenths. This was above the average, but in the type of weather experienced, 9 a.m. was frequently the cloudiest time of the day. The temperature recorded last month were above the normal, the mean maximum being 71.3 degrees, compared with the average of 69.3 degrees, and the mean minimum 56.6 degrees or 0.9 degrees above the average. The warmest day was February 26, when a maximum temperature of 74.9 degrees was recorded. The extreme minimum temperature of 48.1 degrees was recorded on February 17. The minimum “grass” temperature last month was also above the average In this connection it is interesting to note that the temperatures of the soil at a depth of 3ft. were below the normal, and this was probably accounted for by the heavy rains in previous months. February was favoured with less wind than usual. The average daily “run” of the wind was 204 miles, compared with an average for February of 239 miles. The strongest wind recorded during the month was a run of 426 miles for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on February 5. The relatively windless character of the summer season was maintained last month. A fairly Intense cyclonic disturbance centred between the east coast of Australia and Norfolk Island is likely to affect the Dominion during the next day or two. It was raining heavily at Norfolk Island yesterday and there is a good possibility of a general rainfall in New Zealand during the weekend.