THE WEATHER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 135, 8 May 1933, Page 2

THE WEATHER

PROSPECTS MAINLY FAIR. Per Press, Association. WELLINGTON, May 8. Pressure is very high over eastern Australia and very low cast of New Zealand, a position favouring a continuance of the boisterous southwesterly weather. Winds will be variable with strong west or south-west at times. Weather: Mainly fair, but with scattered showers and possible thunder, more especially in the mountains. Temperatures cold. Seas rough. WINTRY WEEK-END. CONTINUATION OF STORMS. . The Mariawatu district during the week-end experienced a continuation of the wintry conditions which prevailed last week and the weather was most unpleasant. The temperature failed to rise and occasional falls of hail, of which last night’s visitation was the most severe, accentuated the unpleasant nature of the conditions. Figures supplied bv Mr T. R. Moore, of “Waimarama,” Terrace End, show that during the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. yesterday eleven points of rain were recorded and up to 9 o’clock this morning an additional 15 points fell. During the night the barometer dropped a point to read 29.3 in, which is very low indeed. WEATHER IN APRIL. METEOROLOGIST’S REVIEW. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 8. In a review of the weather in April, the Dominion Meteorologist, Dr. E. Kidson, says: During the first part of April there was a predominance of fine and mild weather, but in the latter half there were frequent boisterous winds from a westerly or south-westerly quarter. An unusually cold spell for the time of year occurred on the 23rd and 24th. Heavy snow fell down to low levels on the ranges and frosts were numerous and rather severe. It was not until the 28th that mild conditions returned. Though rainfall was below average over mast of the North Island, the falls were well distributed and stock and pastures have maintained an unusually good condition. Milk yields were very well maintained until the cold weather set in, when there was a rapid falling off. On the East Coast and in parts of the Wairarapa, however, the continued shortage of rain is being felt, and the cold, dry, westerly winds had a very exhausting effect on pastures. Winter feed is likely to be scarce. In the South Island, Canterbury unfortunately missed most of the heavy rains. On the Plains there is an acute shortage of feed and most turnip crops have been ruined by the effects of the drought and the ravages of the dia-mond-backed moth. In Marlborough conditions have improved somewhat, satisfactory rains having fallen and temperatures having remained sufficiently mild to permit some growth of vegetation. The remainder of the South Island experienced wet conditions, and the state of stock and pastures is generally satisfactory. Rainfall was very much below the average over the gieatcr part of the North Island. The Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay district’s had less than half. A small area around Hamilton and the country surrounding the South Taranaki Bight, however, recorded more than the normal totals. In the South Island, Canterbury was again unfortunate, dry conditions still persisting. Some stations once more experienced a shortage of more than fifty per cent. Over the remainder of the South Island, the rainfall was above the average. A particularly wet month was experienced in Otago and Southland, the normal for April being more than doubled at many places.

Temperatures were slightly above normal over most of the North Island, but the reverse was the case in Taranaki. In the South Island, coastal portions of Marlborough and Canterbury recorded temperatures slightly above normal, but over the remainder they tvero considerably below. From the 23rd onward there were many frosts, especially in the .South Island. At most places more tha.n the average amount of bright sunshine was experienced, but in parts of the South Island, especially the West Coast and the south, there was a deficit. Napier with 223.4 hours had the best record.

The outstanding feature of the month was a very intense anticyclone which covered the whole of Australia, practically continuously, from the 12th to the 26th. Anticyclones of this tvpe are not unusual in the autumn, but seldom occur so early as this. The consequence of this high pressure to the westward was that New Zealand experienced a severe spell of .westerlv weather. From the 14th to the 27th there was scarcely a day without strong and squally winds from a westterly quarter. They were especially boisterous in the ranges, the night of the 18th to 19th and the 23rd being tho roughest periods. On the 23rd a very deep depression crossed the Dominion, and the strong southerly winds which followed it brought a severe cold snap. On this day and the next there was heavy snow in the ranges and many places experienced hail showers. The whole period was a very wet one for districts with a westerly aspect. Thund D rstorms occurred in some parts of the country on the 18tli, 19th and 21st to 23rd. A small tornado was reported from near Op'otiki on the 22nd. From the 28th to the 30th finer weather was experienced.

MANAWATU RIVER GAUGE

Noon.—7ft 9in.