A MONTH'S WEATHER

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 84, 6 October 1936, Page 13

A MONTH'S WEATHER

DOMINION SUMMARY

SPRING CHARACTERISTICS

Spring characteristics were very strongly developed in the weather for September, states Dr. E. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, in his report on the month's weather as it affected the Dominion as a whole. Pressure was almost continually low in the south, and there was consequently a persistence of westerly winds, which were frequently . strong and squally. The weather changed rapidly, and there were few days on which western and southern districts failed to experience a certain amount of rain. East cjl the ranges conditions were finer and more sunny. Until the 19th temperatures were generally low, and although the last ten days were milder1, they did not quite make up for the earlier cold. The wet and cold weather retarded growth of vegetation in western and southern districts of the South Island, and over most of the North Island, where frosts were rather numerous. In Hawke's Bay, about Wellington, in Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds, there was rapid growth and the season is well advanced. There is no shortage of feed for stock anywhere, though in some places it is rather soft. Stock are reported to be in good condition, and the lambing season,- in spite of some losses due to cold and strong wind, appears to be progressing satisfactorily. In eastern districts of the North Island a good, warm rain would be beneficial, while in ' western districts and the high country generally a spell of dry, sunny weather is desired. NO HEAVY FALLS. Though there were no very heavy general falls, ' rain was frequent throughout the month in all districts with a westerly aspect, and most of Otago and Southland. In eastern districts from Canterbury northward, .and also in the Bay of Plenty area and Nelson, the totals were -generally below averages. Elsewhere they were above, the month being very wet in western Otago and Southland. Temperatures were everywhere below normal, though the departures were not large; In western districts they were generally about 1.5 degees F., but elsewhere were seldom as much as 1' degree F. The persistent .westerly, weather caused a lack of sunshine on the west coast of the South Island and in Southland, while, according to the New Plymouth record, Taranaki recorded about the average amount. Elsewhere totals were above the. average, and. eastern districts experienced a very sunny month. Blenheim had 225.6 hours, and Napier 210.6. WESTERLY WINDS. The sequences of pressure changes experienced- throughout the month were remarkably constant in character and typical of spring. The anticyclones all passed well to the north of New Zealand, and^ a series of westerly depressions, each followed by several secondaries, moved rapidly from the west across the South Island. Winds blew almost continuously from a westerly quarter, and gales were frequent in some part or other of the Dominion. During the first few days cold south-westerlies prevailed. Conditions were especially boisterous oh the 3rd to the 4th, when there were widespread falls of snow in both islands. There was some variation in the type of weather from the 21st to the 25th. An intense anti-cyclone was centred near Chatham Islands from the 22nd to the 24th. This, brought northerly winds and warmer weather over New Zealand. A shallow cyclone developed just to the north-west of the Dominion and moved in an east-south-easterly direction. across the Bay of Plenty. By the 26th, however, the westerly type of ■ weather was again fully restored. Thunder and hailstorms were rather numerous during the month, especially in western districts, and a tornado occurred near Tauranga on the 10th. In . addition to that mentioned in reference to the 3rd and 4th, snow fell on the high country on the 6th, 18th, and 26th and 27th. - At the end of the month the ranges were' well coated. J