THE WEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1935, Page 6

THE WEATHER

AIONTH OF JUNE. WELLINGTON, July 8. The following is the report of the Dominion Meteorologist on tne weather in June: —

June was remarkable for several severe storms, which caused prolonged and strong winds between westerly and south-westerly and frequent wet days. Because, however, of lack cf extreme temperatures, in most districts there was some growtn in pasture and stock generally continued in good condition. This was especially the case in mucfi-of the North Island, where an absence of hard frosts and periods of mild temperature induced at. aonormal growth of grass for the time of the year.

The aggregate rainfall was below the average in a small area about Cook Strait and parts of the western districts of the South Island, while the remainder of the Dominion recorded above normal. The largest excesses occurred in Otago and the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne districts, where some stations had more than double their usual amount. In the latter areas the large totals were accounted for by individual heavy falls, particularly on June 18 in Otago and on June 5 a.nd 6 in the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne districts.

Temperatures were above the average over most of the North Island, the difference being greatest in the Taranaki and Auckland districts. Tn the South Island they were below except in the extreme north and parts of Central Otago. i

As might be expected from the Large number of wet days experienced, sunshine was nearly everywhere below the mean, the districts where it was above being Marlborough and Otago. From the returns received, Blenheim with 143 hours shows the greatest amount, followed, by AVaim ate with 139 and Napier with 131 hours. Rainfall was only light and scattered in the South Island. There was a fairly general improvement in the weather on June 7, but from'June 8 to 12 a series of deep westerly depressions crossed the Tasman Sea and New Zealand. Consequently, strong north-west to south-west winds and boisterous conditions were experienced in msot districts. During the night of June 9, while a secondary low centre was crossing the South Island, much of the South Island and some of the high country in the North Island experienced a fall of snow. Widespread thunder storms also occurred m the North Island.

In Canterbury the snowstorm was particularly severe, and it is many years since such a heavy fall of snow has occurred. Considerable damage was caused to telegraph and power lines, many poles being snapped or bent under the weight of the accumulated snow on the wires. , There were other, but lighter falls of snow on June 11 and 12, and on the latter date a bitterly cold south-westerly wind swept over the Dominion, accompanied by hail in places. During the evening of June 12, however, the weather rapidly cleared, and some severe frosts were recorded in the night, Christchurch having one of 13.8 degrees. The last portion cf this series of depressions had, by then passed eastwards, and several days’ fair to fine weather followed. By the evening of June 1C a fresh depression had moved on to the Dominion and until it had passed away eastwards on June 20 cloudy and squally weather prevailed over most of the country, with intermittent and in places heavy rain. Otago experienced particularly heavy southerly rains on June 18, and there was considerable flooding in low-lying areas.

By the morning of June 19, a general change to southerly winds had taken place, and cold southerlies continued throughout June 20, with showers in most districts and hail on parts of the coast.

An anticyclone covered the Dominion on June 20, and the weather was brilliantly fine almost generally. The former, however, moved rapidly eastwards and was followed by a further series of deep depressions, which continued to cross the country until the cdose of the month.