WEATHER IN MAY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 132, 7 June 1930, Page 10

WEATHER IN MAY

DOMINION SUMMARY BREAK OF THE FINE. PERIOD Summarising the Dominion's weather during May, Dr. E. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, remarks that the relatively dry weather which had ruled since the beginning of February continued into May until the middle of the month. The first half of th» month, owing to persistence of anticyclonic pressure, was remarkably fin© over the whole of the Dominion, with clear, mild days, and cool nights. Low pressure waves crossed southern New Zealand during the nights of the 13tk and, 14th, but as.they were of slight intensity the rainfall aeompanying them was confined to the western districts of the South Island. On the nigh„ of the 15th, however, a secondary depression of cyclonic form developed west of New Zealand and, on the morning of tho 16th, was centred west of Farewell Spit. Fairly general rain set ia at this time with heavy falls in places, particularly from Nelson and Marlborough northwards. By the.morning o* the ISth this cyelons had passed away eastwards, and sines at thiu time an extensive anti-cyclone covered the whole of Australia and tho Tasmaa Sea, indications appeared favourable for the development of another lengthy spell of fine weather. From the 18th onward; however, until the clos of the month, there was a remarkable frequency of ' depression of the westerly; type which moved along the southern edge of the anti-cyclone. As a consequence, strong and squally winds . between west and south-west prevailed, during this period,' and there were many rapid and severe weather changes. On the 20th, 21st, 26th, 27tb, and 29th, there were sharp southerly changes, and thunder and hail occurred at places, while snow fell frequently on, the highlands and, in the South Island, on parts of the lowlands. Although considerable rain fell after the middle of the month, except in. south-west Otago, where a slight excess occurred, the total • for the whole month .was everywhere below the average.

The cold of the iatter part of the month and the frosty nights during the first half had an adverse effect on pastures. Consequently, though stock remained, oh the whole, in good condition, supplementary feeding had to be resorted to in some districts. The rain, too, came too late to cause any appreciable response in growth of vegetation, so that the outlook for winter feed is far from encouraging, more particularly in the eastern districts. On, the other hand, it permitted the carrying out of agricultural work which hact been' seriously retarded by the prolonged dryness of the soil.