THE WEATHER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 April 1927, Page 6

THE WEATHER.

SUMMARY FOR MARCH. A PHENOMENAL RAIN. (by telegraph—press association.) WELLING TUN, April 7. In his weather summary for the month of March, Mr D. C. Bates, tiie Dominion Meteorologist, reports as follows :

March is regarded as the first month of autumn in these latitudes, but the earlier half was, decidedly summer-like, cairn, warm, and fair generally. Xue latter part of the month, however, was quite different in character, being cold, unsettled, and boisterous. The contrast between the two periods was very marked. An 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 a more violent and extensive disturbance of a similar typo. Tne lowest reading of the barometer, z 8.95 inches, was recorded at 3 p.m. on the 20th at Bluff, and this storm was apparently affiliated to a cyclonic disturbance, the centre of which passed over the South Island, the lowest atmospheric pressure, 28.65 inches, being observed at Christchurch at 7 p.m. on tho 23rd- These storms will be remembered by -being associated with the close of the Royal visit. They arc popularly described 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 was in 1918, causing the Raetihi bush fire. Yet there is no apparent scientific reason for associating these disturbances with the solar crossing of the equator, and their occurrence must still he regarded as fortuitous. The '2Bth witnessed the passing of the trough of another westerly, or Antarctic “low,” after which the barometer rose steadily, witli 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 in the southernmost parts of the South Island. The total fall for the month at Arthur’s Pass was 35.42 inches, of which 10.35 inches fell on the 23rd. The end 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 n profuse and wonderful growth of autumn pasturage.