A GOOD SOAKING

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 19, 24 January 1938, Page 10

A GOOD SOAKING

RAINFALL ABOVE AVERAGE

January is not usuallj a wet month in Wellington, but the rainfall this month is going to be—in fact already is—well above the average, in spite of the fact that;much delightful summer weather has been enjoyed. One heavy, rainfall earlier in the month satisfied gardeners who were complaining about the dry and hot weather, and up to this last weekend the total fall for the month, as recorded at Kelburn, had been 187 points. To this, however, must now be added 26 points which. fell early on Sunday morning up to 9 a.m., as well as a further 221 points which fell be-, tween 9 a.m. yesterday and 9 a.m. today.. . This makes a total of • 434 for the month, .not' counting ;. the fairly heavy and continuous rain which has been falling since 9 a.m.. today. As January's average rainfall is only 289 points, irwill be seen that the present month will be classed as a.wet one, although most of the rain has fallen in two bouts. . lYesterday's fall of 221 points is the heaviest experienced locally since February 19, 1936, when there, was a fall of. 239 points.; The ground, being warm and dry, has been able to absorb the present rain without difficulty, and there has been no,flooding to speak, of, except in one or two streets .in .which drains became blocked. . . . , An improvement in the . weather is forecast for tomorrow, but in Hhe meantime there is a distinct reversion to winter temperatures, which, combined with • the continuous rain, are making conditions distinctly unpleasant. A further prolonged spell of fine and hot weather would now be welcomed and there would be no complaints or prayers for rain on the part of horticulturists and/farmers. ;