WEATHER RECORDS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 185, 4 May 1936, Page 10

WEATHER RECORDS

Barometer Lower Than Ever Before CAUSES OF THE STORM Record low barometer readings and record high wind velocities were features of tlie weather on Saturday. The lowest, official barometric pressure ever officially recorded was announced from the Chatham Islands, and the highest wind ever registered at Rongotai airport blew. ’’The weather sequence which culminated in Saturday’s storm commenced on Monday, April 27,” said the Government Meteorologist, Dr. E. Kidson. yesterday. -At that time pressure was high over the whole area from Australia to beyond New Zealand. Two very slight disturbances caused I lie pressure Io be rather lower over the Tasman Sea than either south-eastern Australia or New Zealand, but conditions generally were very quiet and winds everywhere light. We know from experience, however, that this is a dangerous situation, and it was expected that bad weather would develop. Bad Weather on Friday. “By Friday the second of the two depressions was crossing the North Island, and although it was still very shallow, the pressure had fallen considerably and widespread rain had fallen with some heavy falls. The first change to southerly wind set in during this day, but at this time also a secondary depression was approaching across the Tasman Sea. As this passed pressure fell sharply, reaching low values for the first time. Strong south-westerly winds blew and cold squally weather prevailed with passing heavy showers. Numbers of hailstorms were reported and suow fell on the ranges. “This secondary proved to be the first of a series. As each approached the wind backed to west or northwest, the barometer fell to still lower levels, the weather improved greatly and temperatures rose in eastern districts. Then, following its passage, there would be another burst from the south with the accompanying unpleasant weather. On Friday night the last of the series of secondaries passed, and at one time the pressure must have been below 29.0 inches over the whole of the Dominion. Many places must have had something near their record low barometer, and certainly the 28.41 inches reported on Saturday from the Chatham Islands is the lowest reading officially recorded in New Zealand. Westerly Type Still. “Following the depression was a very rapid rise of pressure, and with high pressure ruling over Australia conditions were favourable for the southerly gale which occurred and which also is, perhaps, considering its extent as well as its force, the most severe hitherto experienced. There was a very large fall of temperature. Snow fell down to low levels on the mountains. Hailstorms were frequent and scattered thunderstorms also were reported. The gale moderated during Saturday night. On Sunday an anticyclone was advancing across the north Tasman Sea. Pressure had risen greatly over New Zealand. The weather improved and winds decreased. The westerly type of weather still prevails.” SHIPPING AFFECTED Only Maori Leaves Port Shipping was seriously affected at Wellington on Saturday by the southerly gale. The only vessel able to leave port was the express service steamer Macri, which left at 11 pm. for Lyttelton, over three hours later than usual. The sailing of the Nelson ferry steamer Matangi was postponed until midnight last night, while the Tamahine. from Pictou. did not arrive in port until yesterday afternoon, instead of on Saturday evening. Wellington was a very full port on Saturday, but. owing to the heavy rain very little cargo was handled, this contributing in postponing the departure of several overseas vessels, including the Port Nicholson for London. Canadian Highlander for Sydney, Golden Bear for Melbourne, and City of Canberra for Lyttelton, though none of these ships would have attempted to leave port in the teeth of Ihe full gale from the south. The only vessel to arrive at. Wellington on Saturday after the gale had reached its full force was the Union Company’s Wainui. from Lyttelton. The Wainui was to have berthed at the Pipitea Wharf, but after several unsuccessful attempts moved across to a sheltered berth at the Taranaki Street Wharf. Another Union Company steanfer. the big coastal vessel Wuipiata. left the wharf at 10.30 a.m. for Lyttelton. bill was unable to clear the heads, and put into Worser Bay for shelter, where she remained until yesterday morning, when she left at 9.30 for Lyttelton. One other vessel, the Pakura. also left port yesterday morning. for Napier.

Any postponement in Hie sailing of tlie Lyttelton express service steamers owing to bad weather is most unusual, but so bad were conditions on Saturday that it was not considered advisable for the Maori to leave at the usual time. Later on, however, conditions moderated somewhat, and the Maori left port. at. II p.m. Tbe Port lane motor-ship Port Gisborne. from Liverpool via Auckland, which was due on Saturday morning, early reported Io her owners I hat she expected to arrive off the Heads at 11 a.m. A later message from tlie vessel, however, stated (hat there was a full gale, with trenieiidous seas, and that slic would make no attempt to enter port until the weather had moderated. consequently she stood off until yesterday morning, when she camo into port. The Tamahine should have left Picli'm at 2.45 p.m. on Saturday, but the Union Company advised Pictou to keep her there until the weather improved. She left Pictou at noon yesterday, and arrived at Wellington at 3.30 p.iu. Several other vessels reached Wellington yesterday afternoon, including tlie trawler South Sea from the Chatham Islands, after an exceptionally bad trip. The vessel should have arrived on Saturday morning, but was forced to shelter at Cape Campbell. Her master, Captain Dowel], reported yesterday that he had never seen bigger seas, and the little vessel was continuously swept. One very heavy sea smashed one of the thick glass windows of the wheel-house, the flying glass culling, though not seriously, those in the wheelhouse at tlie time. Other minor damage was also done to tbe South Sea.