UNUSUALLY COLD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20242, 9 May 1940, Page 2

UNUSUALLY COLD

APRIL WEATHER UNPLEASANT CONDITIONS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. April was unseasonable throughout the Dominion, with unusually cold temperatures prevailing. The Dominion Meteorologist, in his notes on the weather in April, said that frequent southerly winds made conditions very unpleasant at times, particularly on the east coast. “Rains sustained reasonable growth in the North Island, but cold night temperatures tended to counterbalance the full value of the showers,’’ he continued. “In the south the position is rather varied, but about mid-Canterbury it seems to be worst, with many of the root crops'too badly affected previously 'ey drought and insect pests to make much recovery. “In other districts, however, grass is still making fair growth, and the turnip and other crops are very satisfactory. Cultivation has proceeded well and the rains have helped on the germination and early growth of autumn sown oats and wheat. There is an absence of disease, and stock are in good condition to face the winter. Showery Weather “There were many rain-days throughout the month, but totals were generally not excessive. Most of the rain came as showers and these were mainly light. This showery type of weather made the month’s rainfall distribution very patchy, but for the major portion of the North Island as well as Westland and Otago the tendency was to be drier than normal. Most of the excesses occurred between Canterbury and East Cape. “Temperatures were below normal in all districts, the departures averaging 3 to 4 degrees Fab. At several stations the average temperature reached record low values, so that for the whole country the month was comparable with the coldest of Aprils, Frosts were frequent, some being sharp and damaging vegetable crops. “While sunshine figures were good in Auckland and Westland, they were close to the average in Canterbury and below average elsewhere, with the greatest deficits occurring in Hawke’s Bay.” '