EIGHTY POINTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 8

EIGHTY POINTS

FEBRUARY’S LIGHT RAINFALL, UNSEASONABLE WEATHER. A total of 80 points of rain was recorded by Mr T. R. Moore, of Waimarama,” Terrace End, during February. Details are as follow: —

Rain fell in measurable quanities on eight days in February, 1929, for 80 points, in February, 1928, .there were six days on which rain fell tor 1.42 inches. The average temperature last month was 59 12-28 degrees and in February, 1928, it was 60 24-28 degrees. In a note on the meteorological conditions which prevailed during the month, Mr Moore says:—“February, which is the last month of summer in New Zealand and which corresponds to August in Britain, has been another very dry and unseasonable month, with only 80 points of rain. For the 16 years that the rainfalls have been recorded here this is very small. In 1916'77 points fell; in 1922 there were 80 points. These are the lowest falls during the above period. The farmers and gardeners would welcome a good downpour. For the first six days 7 3 points of rain fell in only light showers of little value and always followed by hot, drying winds which nullified the good done by the rain. Then came a drought with only seven points of rain in twenty-two days, with heavy winds west and norwest, and djill cloudy skies. This continued up to the 20th and then came three real summer days with the thermometer up to 77 degrees in the shade and cool nights. On the 24 th dull and cloudy weather set in again with strong breezes from the west and nor-west j with a high steady glass and this continued to the end of the month. There were 20 days on which dull, cloudy 1 weather was recorded at 9 a.m. “The temperature was erratic. The maxima were 78 degrees on the Ist and 77. 73 and 76 on the 20th, 21st and 22nd. The minima were 46 on the 15 th and 44 degrees on the 17th, all in the j shade. j “March came in dull and gloomy with j a breeze from the nor-west, the gl*s \ standing at 30, with a temperature of 71 degrees in the shade and there does not appear to be any change in the weather coming at the time of writing.”

February 1st Inches. 01 37 it 3rd 04 09 12 10 ' 14 th 04 ii 16 th 03 .80