JULY’S WEATHER

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 266, 6 August 1937, Page 18

JULY’S WEATHER

Sunshine Above Average, Rainfall Below

MILDER CONDITIONS

The cold weather with a prevalence of southerly winds which had characterised June persisted through the first eight days of July, but thereafter weather of a more westerly type prevailed and conditions were milder, says the report of Dr. E. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, on the weather during July. Toward the end of the month some beautiful days were experienced in most places. Rainfall was generally much below and sunshine above the average, but the weather during the month was rather unsettled, says Dr. Kidson. Except in eastern districts, more especially in the South Island, rain, though often light, was rather frequent. Over western and central districts of the North Island the soil was continually damp and muddy and conditions on farms were unpleasant. There was little growth of vegetation. In Canterbury and Marlborough, ou the other hand, it was possible for some arrears in agricultural operations to be made up. The area under crop is, however, likely to be considerably less than during last year. Stock, except hoggets, are reported to be doing well, but a spell of dry and sunny weather would be welcomed. Early lambs have appeared in numbers of districts, and so far the losses have been light. In many cases, in spite of the low temperatures in June, trees, shrubs and flowers are unusually far advanced for the time of year, while in others they are backward.

Except in comparatively small and isolated areas, the rainfall was much below normal during July. In Marlborough and Canterbury the totals were particularly low, some places having only a quarter of their average fall. On the West. Coast of the South Island and in the far south a number of places had more than the normal rainfall.

Temperates at most places were below normal. At New Plymouth the mean temperature was just a little above normal, and at Palmerston North and I’ahiatua it was equal to normal. Very severe frosts were again recorded during the first eight days of the month, but thereafter conditions were milder. Though below at a few places, more especially on the West Coast, sunshine was generally considerably above the average. Nelson had 180.2 and Tauranga 175.7 hours of sunshine.

On the first flay of the month a cyclonic depression was centred over North Auckland. Easterly gales blew in the far north and south-easterlies in Taranaki. There were some heavy rains in northern districts. By July 3 the depression had moved away and an anti-cyclone had enveloped the Dominion. The centre, however, was far to the south, and cold southerly winds persisted. On July 5, a depression with a considerable extension in the south to north direction advanced from the Tasman Sea and crossed the country during the night. On July 6, strong south-westerly winds were blowing. This storm caused general rains. Snow was widespread in the South Island, and reached low levels on the mountains in the north. Some very severe frosts followed.

From July 9 to July 17 there was another unsettled spell. This began with a series of westerly depressions, and from July 14 an intense anti-cyclone covered Australia and extended over the Tasman Sea, while several depressions followed each other on a southerly course off the east coast of New Zealand. Southerly gales blew on July 16 and 17. Snow again fell to low levels on the ranges, and there was hail and thunder in many places. The improvement which followed was only brief, and between July 19 and 22 another series of depressions passed, Some heavy rains fell in western districts. There was considerable thunder and hail on July 22 and two men were struck by lightning near Otorohanga. An anti-cyclone covered the Dominion on July 23 and 24, but westerly depressions later followed each other across the South Island. There was he.avy_snow on some of the ranges on July 27, and hail and thunder were reported for the third time during the month. The last three days saw a considerable improvement.