FEBRUARY WEATHER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 March 1944, Page 2

FEBRUARY WEATHER

SOME HEAVY RAINFALLS The Director of Meteorological Services, in notes on the weather during February, 1944, states:— General: February was a month of mixed weather with several heavy rains. These have promoted an abundance of growth which has been very beneficial to dairy production and to young crops for winter feed. Conditions were, however, not very favourable for harvesting grain. Rainfall: Many places had large rainfall .totals. The Taupo-Bay of Plenty region experienced at least twice its usual amount and new records were established near Rotorua. Several rainfalls reported in that vicinity were over 5 inches on the 22nd when Lake Rotoma and Rotoehu had falls of 9 inches. Southern Taranaki and most of the Wellington Province outside the city area had rainfalls appreciably below normal. Apart from the coast from Gisborne to East Cape, the remainder of the North Island had surplus rain. Nearly all the South Island, also had excess rain, the country from Greymouth and Ashburton southward to Queenstown and Waipiata had at least treble the February average and places near the Waitaki river had exceptional surpluses of 350 per cent. The rainfall to the southward decreased so that in Foveaux Strait and Stewart Island totals were near normal. The only other part failing to receive excess rain was the Kaikoura coast. Noteworthy were several falls over 6 inches on the 9th in Westland, including one of 12.06 inches at WataTemperatures: Mean temperatures were moderately above normal over the North Island except near the Bay of Plenty and' at New Plymouth. Most of the South Island was slightly cooler, Nelson and Westland, however, being somewhat warmer than normal. Humidities were frequently high throughout the month. On the Bth, light frosts were experienced in several districts.

Sunshine: Most eastern districts had less sunshine than usual, noticeably so at Hanmer, Dunedin and Gore, while the far north and Wanganui had appreciable excess.