BAROMETER'S FALL

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 11

BAROMETER'S FALL

NEW LOW BECOKD

EXCEPTIONAL WIND

Saturday's storm produced the lowest barometric reading ever recorded in the New Zealand meteorological area. At the Chatham Islands there was a reading of 28.41 inches, which established a new low record, and at many places in the Dominion the barometer, although not quite as low as at the Chatham Islands, fell to a lower level than ever recorded locally before. The wind gusts, as recorded at Kelburn, did not break any records, although it was one of the worst storms ever ex- , perienced, but at Rongotai, which is .jnuch. more exposed to the south than jXelburn, one gust reached a velocity ;Of 88.5 miles an hour. This is a record 1 for Rongotai and one which nobody -.wishes to^see beaten. At Kelburn the maximum gust was one of 67 miles an hour.

The wind was at its maximum force between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. During that period there were many gusts with ft velocity of over 60 miles an hour, and it was during the latter half of that period that the maximum gusts were recorded. The wind continued to blow very lustily all the afternoon, but with gradually decreasing strength, and during Saturday night it eased off With but few gusts of a greater velocity than 40 miles an hour. : "A DANGEROUS SITUATION." The factors leading up to the storm are described by Dr. E. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, as follows:— "The weather sequence which culminated in Saturday's storm commenced on Monday, April 27. At that time pressure was high over the whole area from Australia to beyond New Zealand. Two very slight disturbances Caused the pressure to 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 St was expected that bad weather Svould develop. "By Friday the second of the two jflepressions was crossing the North Jsland, 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 snow fell on the ranges. LAST AND WOKST. "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 Jnust have had something near their Jrecord low barometer, and certainly the 28.41 inches reported on Saturday from the Chatham Islands is the lowest reading officially recorded in New Zealand.

'Following the depression was a

very rapid rise of pressure, and wltli high pressure ruling over Australia conditions were favourable for tne 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 tht north Tasman Sea. Pressure had risen greatly over New Zealand. The weather improved and winds decreased. The westerly type of weather still prevails."