JULY WEATHER

Evening Star, Issue 22722, 9 August 1937, Page 14

JULY WEATHER

AN UNSETTLED MONTH [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 8. Tho cold weather with a prevalence of southerly winds which, had characterised June persisted through tho first eight days of July, but thereafter weather of a more westerly type prevailed and conditions were definitely milder. Towards the end of the month some beautiful days were experienced in most places. Rainfall was generally much below and sunshine above average, but, nevertheless, the weather during the month was rather unsettled, and except in eastern districts, more especially in the South Island, rain, though often light, was rather frequent. Over western and central districts of the North Island the soil was continually damp and muddy, and conditions on the farms were unpleasant. There was little growth of vegetation. , ~ „ In Canterbury and Marlborough, on tho other hand, it was possible for some arrears in agricultural operations to be made up ’in numbers of places. The area under crop is, however, likely to be considerably less than during last year. Stock, except hoggets, are reported as doing well, , but a spell of dry and sunny weather would bo welcomed. Early lambs have appeared iu numbers of districts, and 'so far the losses have been light. In regard to trees, shrubs, and flowers, there are some curious anomalies. In many oases, in spite of the low temperatures in June, they are unusually far advanced for the time of year, while in others they are backward. Except in comparatively small and isolated areas the rainfall was much below normal. In Marlborough and Canterbury the totals were particuarly low, some places having only a quarter of their average fall. On the West Coast of the South Island and in the far south, a number of places had more than normal.

Temperatures were almost everywhere below normal, though the 1 departures nowhere amounted to 2deg Pahy. At New Plymouth the mean was just a little above, and at Palm- , erston North and Pahiatua it was equal to the normal. Very severe frosts were again recorded during the first eight days of the month, but thereafter conditions were milder. Though below it at a few places, more especially on the West Coast, sunshine was generally considerably above 'average. Nelson had 180.2 and Tauranga 175.7 hours. STORM SYSTEMS. On the Ist a cyclonic depression was centred over North Auckland. Easterly gales blew iu the far nor.tli and southeasterlies iu Taranaki. There were some heavy rains in northern districts. By the 3rd the depression had moved away and an anti-cyclone had enveloped the Dominion. The centre was, however, far to the south, and cold southerly winds persisted. . On the sth a depression with a considerable extension in the south to north direction advanced from the Tasman Sea, and crossed the country during the night. On the 6th strong south-westerly winds were blowing. This storm caused general rains. Snow was widespread in the South Island and reached low levels on tho mountains in the North. Some very severe frosts followed. From the 9th to 17th there was another unsettled spell. This began with a series of westerly depressions, and from the 14th an intense anti-cyclone covered Australia and. extended over the Tasman Sen, while several depressions followed each other on a southerly course off the east coast of New Zealand. Southerly gales blew on the 16th to 17th. Snow again fell to low levels on the ranges, while there was hail and thunder in many places. The improvement which followed was only brief, and between the 19th and 22nd another series of depressions * passed. Some heavy rains fell in western districts. There was considerable thunder and hail on the 22nd, and two men were struck by lightning near Otorohanga. An anti-cyclone covered the Dominion on the 23rd and 24th, hut westerly depressions were soon again following each other across the South Island. There was heavy snow on some of the ranges on the 27th. and hail and thunder were reported for the third time during the month. The last three days were a considerable improvement.