THE WEATHER.

Grey River Argus, 8 April 1927, Page 6

THE WEATHER.

WELLINGTON, April 7. 1 Mr I). C. Bates reports: The present indications are for strong westerly to south-westerly winds, the weather being squally and changeable generally, with scattered showers in the West (’oast and southernmost districts. The barometer is rising everywhere soon. REVIEW OF LAST MONTH. WELLINGTON, April 7. In his weaTher summary for the month of March, Mr. D. C. Bates, Dominion Meteorologist reports as follows: — March is regarded as the first month of Autumn in these latitudes but the earlier half was decidedly summerlike, calm, warm and fair generally. The I latter part of the month, however, was quite different in character, cold, un-1 settled and boisterous. Tho contrast between the two periods was very marked, and the observer in Otago found the average temperature of the first half ten degrees higher than that of the latter. The trough of one westerly “low” passed on the 16th. and was soon succeeded by more violent and extensive disturbance Of similar type. The lowest reading of the barometer 28,95 in., was recorded at 3 p.m. on the 20th. at Bluff and this storm was apparently affiliated to the cyclonic disturbances, the centre of which passed over the South Island, the lowest atmospheric pressure 28.65in5, being observed at Christchurch at 7 p.m. on 23rd. These storms will be remembered by being associated with the close of the Royal visit. Though popularly des eiibed and recognised as “equinoctial” and not without some justification, for there have been in past years several notable storms about the time of the equinox—the greatest one, in 1918, caus ing Raetihi bush fire —yet there is no apparent scientific reason for associating these disturbances with the solar crossing the equator, and their occurrence must still be regarded as fortuitous.

The 28th. witnessed the passage of the trough of another westerly of Antarctic “low” after wnich the barometer rose steadily, with strong southerly winds, bringing a cold snap at the close of the month. There were some slight frosts and snow was left rather low down on the southern mountains. With the exception of the east coasts of both Islands, the rainfall was generally much above the average. It was indeed excessive on the higher levels and the southernmost parts of the South Island. The total fall for the month at Arthur’s Pass was 36.42 inches of which 10.35 in. fell on the 23rd., and of this 8.52 inches was registered in nine hours. Floods were reported in the Waimakariri and other rivers on this account, and there was also a big flood in Marlborough at this time. Westerly gales were troublesome to orchardists, for apples in particular had not quite matured. The heat and dryness of summer, however, left warm soil, on which the rains produced profuse and wonderful growth of autumn pasturage. .