SEPTEMBER CONDITIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 265, 8 October 1942, Page 2

SEPTEMBER CONDITIONS

| September was a typical spring month, states the Director of Meteorological Services (Dr M. A. F. Barnett) in his notes on the weather. The conditions were very changeable with windy periods and frequent showers. On the whole, however, conditions were not unpleasant east of the ranges. Stock arc faring well. Lambing percentages are up to the average or above and there have been very few losses due to adverse weather. Pasture growth is fairly good, but pastures have been cheeked at times in the east by wind and frosts and elsewhere by lack of sunshine. Wheat and oat crops are doing well, especially on the heavier landRain days were numerous in all disItricts, but the totals in eastern districts were not heavy. Even half the average was not reached near Gisborne, in parts of Southern Hawkc's Bay, near Blenheim and Timaru, and in parts of eastern Otago including Dunedin. In western and northern districts, with only isolated exceptions, averages were exceeded. Percentage surpluses were greatest in the ITaupo-Rotorua-Opotiki area, which received more than double the normal. Thunderstorm activity was fairly widespread, especially on the 23rd and 241 h. On the latter date storms were accompanied by small whirlwinds near Kaitaia and at Woburn'i As in the two preceding months mean temperatures were milder than normal. Widespread snow showers occurred on the 10th and 11th. followed by some hard frosts. Scattered snow fell on tho 26th and 27th. The sunshine figures varied considerably, but most of tho South Island and the centre of tho North Island received slightly less than normal sunshine, the deficiencies being greatest in tho Waikato.