PARTICULARLY WET NOVEMBER IN EAST COAST DISTRICT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22818, 13 December 1948, Page 7

PARTICULARLY WET NOVEMBER IN EAST COAST DISTRICT

Rainfalls of between 6in. and 13in. were recorded on the East Coast and in the Gisborne district last month. Rough weather was experienced about the middle of the month and shearing was delayed on most stations in the district. Growth in flower and vegetable gardens was retarded owing to the lack of sunshine and the very wet ground. Nearly half of the rain recorded at Rukuhnnga station. Cape Runaway, last month fell in about five hours on November 20, causing heavy flooding. Several thunderstorms were experienced, while rain fell on 13 days to give a total for November of 6.09 in. In November, 1947, 1.13 in. fell on eight days. For the 11 months of this year the rainfall is 63.14in. t over 11 in. more than for the corresponding period last year.

Matarau station. Hicks Bay, also recorded a particularly heavy fall of rain on November 20, 3.38 in. being measured in a little over two hours. Several thunderstorms brought heavy rain, the total for November being 7.88 in., which fell on 14 days. Rain fell on 10 days in November, 1947, the month’s total being 5.1 Sin. To date this year 98.19 in. of rain has fallen at Matarau, compared with 82.73 in. last year. 118 in. During 11 Months.

There was over llin. difference between the November, 1948, and the November, 1947, rainfalls taken at Pakihiroa station, at the foot of Mt. Hikurangi. Last month 13.1 Oin. fell on 18 days, as against 2.oGin. on 10 days in November last year. The heaviest fall during the month was also recorded on November 20, 6.31 in. being measured by Mr. R. H. Sherning. To date this year 118 34in. of rain has fallen in the station, compared with 99.68 in. in the first 11 months of last year.

Pukewheo station, in the Mangaoporo Valley, near Ruatoria, also experienced a heavy rainfall last month, 9.53 in falling on 16 days, to bring the total for the year to 119.43 in„ a little over lin. less than for the corresponding period in 1947. The greater part of last month’s rain fell between November 9 and 21, the heaviest 24hour fall being 2.69 in. on November 20. In November, 1947, 4.79 in. of rain fell on II days

At Taoroa station near Ruatoria, 7.75 in. of rain was recorded last month on 15 days, compared with 1.96 in. on 11 days in November, 1947. The heaviest 24-bour fall last month was 2.87 in. on November 20, the greater part of this falling between noon and 4 p.m. To date this year 76.03 in. of rain has fallen at the station, this being Bin. more than for the first 11 months of last year. Fifteen Rain Days in November.

Rain fell on 15 days last month at Wairere station, near Ruatoria, the total being 6.02 in. This was nearly thrice the 2.03 in. which fell on eight days in November, 1947. The heaviest 24-hour fall last month was 1.50 in. on November 17. For the 11 months of this year the rainfall is 74.25 in., nearly 4in. more than last year. The 7.Bin. of rain recorded at Ruangarebu station, near Tokcmaru Bay, last month brought the total for this year to 75.33 in., nearly 22in. more than for the corresponding period last year. Rain fell on 18 days last month, the heaviest 24-hour fall being 1.66 in. on November 20. In November, 1947, 3.13 in. of rain fell on 18 days.

There was a difference of over 6in. in the 1947 and 1948 November falls recorded at Maungaorangi station, near Whangara. Last month the rainfall was 7.41 in., which fell on 14 days, compared with 1.17 in. on four days in the corresponding month in 1947. The heaviest 24-hour fall last month was 2.23 in. on November 11. To date this year 76.87 in. of rain has fallen at the station, a little under lin. less than for the 11 months of last year. Garden Growth Retarded During the past 33 years, only twice has the November rainfall exceeded that recorded at Waingake last month. Rain fell on 19 days to give a total of 6.69 in, compared with ,54in. in November, 1947. The heaviest 24-hour fall last month was 2.18 in. on November 17. This year to date 60.30 in. of rain has fallen at Waingake, exactly lin. more than last year. Heavy hail was experienced at the station on November 22, while lin. of rain fell in two hours on that day. Garden growth was retarded through lack of sunshine and the very wet ground. Although 10.24 in. of rain fell on 20 days last month at Marumoko station. Motu, the fall for the 11 months of this year of 95 67in. is still a little over 4in less than for the corresponding period last year. In November, 1947, rain fell on nine days, the total being 3.08 in.

At Matawai 9,70 in. of rain fell last month on 21 days, as against 2.45 in. on 11 days in the corresponding month last year. The heaviest 24-hour fall was 1.62 in .on November 20. Wettest November on Record.

Last month was the wettest November since recordings were first taken at Eastwoodhill station, Ngatapa. Rain fell on 16 days, the total fall being 6in., compared with 1.62 in. on seven days in November, 1947. The heaviest 24-hour fall last month was l.lOin. on November 10. During the 11 months of this year 49.03 in. of rain has fallen, as against 42.68 in. in the corresponding month last year. The 6.12 in. of rain which fell on 18 days at Parikanapa station last month was well above the average for November. Only 1.1 lin. fell on six days in November, 1947. The total of 79.48 in. for the 11 months of" this year is far in excess of the 61.38 in. recorded up to November 30 last year. The heaviest 24-hour fall last month was 1.48 in. on November 11. There were snowflakes on November 17. Rain fell on 20 days last month at Hangaroa. the total being 5.67 in. compared with 1.23 on eight days on November last year. For the‘ll months of this year 50.67 in. of rain has been recorded, the total for the corresponding period of last year being 53.35 in. The heaviest November rainfall recorded at Hangaroa was 5.90 in. in 1940. while the lightest was .1 Sin. in 1945.