AUGUST'S WEATHER

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 51, 7 September 1928, Page 10

AUGUST'S WEATHER

SATISFACTORY RAINS

MORE NEEDED IN PLACES

As regards rainfall, especially in view of the distribution during the preceding month, August was on the whole a satisfactory month, states Dr. E. Kidson, the Director of. Meteorological Services, in his monthly summary. In moat of tho Auckland Province, where there was little need for it, tho rain was below normal. In Nelson and parts of Otago and Southland, too, there was a deficiency, and good rains will bo wanted soon in these districts, especially tho first, if tho season is to commence well. Elsewhcro, registrations were mainly above the average, and much good will be done. Most districts experienced remarkvably uniform temperatures during the month, and the absence of extreme cold gave an effect of mildness even vvliero the main temperature was below the avorage. Growth has, on the whole, been good, and- although there is still some shortage of feed in some of the parts which experienced a very dry summer, conditions generally are favourable and stock and crops are doing well. ■ ■ The month began with a continuance of tho fine weather which had prevailed over tho greater part of July. The rain-producing disturbances were of slight intensity in the New Zealand area until the 13th. A particularly fine spell was experienced from the Bth to the 11th, during which period the weather was controlled by a very intonso anti-cyclone. On the 12th the western districts were affected by a depression in the Tasiuaiv Sea, which gradually moved eastward. On the 14th the trough of the depression lay across tho Dominion, and a cyclone developed in its northern portion. The centre of tho cyclone crossed the North Island from Northern Taranaki to Hawkes Bay'on the 15th and thence passed away eastward on the 16th. There were north-westerly gales in Cook Strait on the 13th, while on the 15th there were gales, generally from 'a southerly direction, at many places. At Wellington the southcrJie:! were especially severe, and, combined with a high tide, caused much damage to the Kaiwarra to Petone railway; shipping about Cook Strait was delayed, and minor damage of_ various kinds was done about the city. Tho period from the morning o£ tho 13th to that of the 16th was a very wet one. The rain was general, and there wore many heavy falls. •Another storm of somewhat similar type passed during the 20th. There were northerly gales in Cook Strait during it's approach, and fairly general southerly gales over the North Island on the 21st after the centre had passed. Again, thero was almost general rain. Gules'ami general rains were associated also with .-in intense southern depression which passed during tho 23rd and 24th. At thi! end of (lie month occurred the 'fourth and last of the important disturbances. This was an intense h'outhei'ii depression of the invertcd-V type. Depressions of this typo are usually followed by one or .more secondaries, but there were none in this instance. The barometer fell rapidly to a minimum, and then commenced to rise again immediately with even greater rapidity. There were northerly gales during the 30th over much of tiio Sonth Island, which changed suddenly during tho evening to southerlies. The drop in temperature was very marked, and snow fell thickly on all the ranges, at least as far north as ; the Wellington Province. In South Can--1 torbury and parts of Otago and Southi land tiio snow reached the low levels, being particularly heavy in South Can- ; terbury. Near Wellington it was low i down on tho Orongorongos and other ' nearby hills. Tho 31st was fortunateJly a brilliantly fine day over most of j the area which received the snowfall, I and there was a rapid thaw. Very littlo loss of stock therefore resulted. Apart from tho snow, thero was fairly gennral rain in connection with this storm also. Snow was reported from Tho Hermitago on a number of occasions in tho course of tho month, and the mountains generally arc well on the way towards receiving a good covering for the sea-