MIXED MONTH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20140, 9 January 1940, Page 3

MIXED MONTH

DECEMBER WEATHER REFRESHING RAIN GOOD PASTURE GROWTH “For the whole Dominion December was rather a mixed month, but fine, warm weather predominated,” stated the Dominion Meteorologist in his notes on tiie weather for last month. “Most Of the precipitation came in substantial fails and the rain had refreshing effects, sustaining good pasture growth, especially in the North Island, where very satisfactory crops of ensilage and hay have been harvested. "The land over the greater part of Canterbury and Otago has continued too dry for the cereal crops, and with the feed shortage the - autumn prospects are poor. Some of the coastal districts, however, had better rains, which will help to fill the wheat. The reports indicate the excellent condition of stock. White butterflies are in evidence, but in restricted numbers. Average Rainfall “Many districts had heavy rain, but the totals came close to the average over a large part of the country. Falls in the North Island tended to be slightly above the average, but in the immediate neighbourhood of Wellington December was the wettest, of any month since records were first taken. "In the South Island there were rainfall deficits, most marked in South Canterbury and Otago, while the rainfall was somewhat above normal in the far south-west, and in considerable excess along the east coast from Banks Peninsula northwards. “On several occasions there were scattered hail showers associated with thunderstorms, more especially, in Hawke’s Bay. During the month flooding occurred in the north of the South Island and twice in the south of the Wellington province. Temperatures and Sunshine “Temperatures equalled or exceeded normal value, departures in the south being slightly larger than those in the north. Some departures in Otago exceeded 4 degrees Fahr. Humid conditions over a part of the month gave cloudy nights, resulting in fairly high minimum temperatures. “The number of hours of bright sunshine either approached closely or exceeded the normal figures. Both Auckland and Blenheim averaged some two Hours a Gay above normal, but Napier headed the list with its 291 hours.”