COLD, DRY MONTH

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 268, 10 August 1945, Page 6

COLD, DRY MONTH

Weather Conditions In July

For most of the Dominion, July was cold as well as fairly sunny and dry, states the monthly report of the Director of Meteorological Services. North-wester-ly gales were widespread and parts of Canterbury were seriously damaged. There was extensive snow in the South Island with exceptional falls over Canterbury province, where depths of one to two feet were not uncommon. Frosts followed and snow persisted on the ground for about 10 days in many places. Most places received less than average rainfall. Central and Southern Hawkes Bay had totals a quarter to a half of the normal. Similar deficiencies occurred near Kaikoura and Dunedin. Christchurch and Ashburton experienced the coldest July for which records are available and on July 19 had the lowest minimum air temperature. Frosts were more frequent and sharper limn usual. The coldness of the mouth was due more to the frosty nights than to very cold day temperatures. . With few exceptions the duration ol bright sunshine was longer than usual, specially in eastern districts. Both Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury had more than the equivalent of an hour a day beyond the average.