ANOTHER GALE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 11

ANOTHER GALE

STBONG GUSTS OF WIND

'SOUTHERLY DUE SOON

Apparently no sooner does one storm system take its departure eastward, to the relief of a much-buffeted New Zealand, than another arrives from the westward to repeat the process. Last Saturday's memorable storm was barely out of range when the meteorologists announced that any fine weather would be of but brief duration owing to the approach of another westerly depression. The arrival of this, with its potent little trail of secondaries in its wake, has been much in evidence since last night with a renewal of very strong and squally north-westerly winds. The Cook Strait area, and therefore Wellington, has had stronger winds than other parts. In Wellington last night the wind wcs particularly boisterous.- At 5.10 a.m. today the maximum gust was recorded, this being one with a velocity of 67 miles an hour. Up to 9 a.m. today only 11 points of rain had been recorded at Kelburn, but since that hour the rain has been fairly steady and continuous. ■:■•■'• The forecast issued at noon today promises a decrease in the force of the wind by tonight, but within the next a fairly strong blow from the south may be expected. In the meantime, linesmen are once again at work repairing minor damage to communications and power and lighting lines, and householders are wondering what el>s can. possibly be blown away off the premises. ' • WORKINGS OF THE WEATHER. The present type of weather, often called westerly weather, is very common in the New Zealand meterological area, particularly so as a rule during the spring months when Wellington often tries, and with some success, to justify the epithet "windy," which is sometimes applied to the Capital City. Areas of low pressure cross the South Island or the southern part of New Zealand, and, with relatively higher pressure to the north, strong winds from somewhere between north and west are caused. The western districts suffer worst imder these conditions. Both the Cook Strait, and Foveaux Strait regions get gales and the West Coast generally has heavy rain. With the departure eastward of the disturbance, the' wind goes round to the south and barometers rise again. If the pressure gradient is at all steep, the gale stunt is likely to be repeated by the southerly winds. This was the case last Saturday, when barometers reached a record low figure, and much the same process is being repeated again at the present time, although barometers have not fallen to, quite such a low level as they did at the end.of last week. A vigorous westerlv .= ; depression has been crossing in southern latitudes, the main one being followed by others. North-westerly gales have resulted, but a final change to southerlies is predicted to take place before long, as the end of the present series of disturbances seems to be in sight. How long it will be before another series shows up remains to be seen, but New Zealand could do with a lengthy respite and with a renewal of the calm anticyclonic conditions which prevailed during the first half of April. ■Why during recent months the weather, has been so unsettled and the storms so particularly vigorous is more than any meteorologist can say, and no meteorologist will venture any opinion as to what the future is likely to hold out. in the way of more storms or of settled fine weather. Meteorological factors change so quickly in these latitudes that to forecast with accuracy for more than a day or two ahead is an impossibility. However, all are free to think as they like—to attribute the continual bad weather to the effects of the spots on the sun, or to any other cause that fancy or imagination suggests. All the ordinary mortal can do as to hope for the best as far as the future is concerned while busily engaged in repairing the damage done by the last storm and strengthening his defences against the next. But those who take a pride in their gardens are getting a bit disheartened; linesmen should welcome a respite from what «ias become almost incessant repair work; and all would appreciate rather more settled weather with an occasional fine weekend.