WEATHER IN MARCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 13 April 1945, Page 4

WEATHER IN MARCH

SUNSHINE BETTER THAN NORMAL RECORD MONTH FOR CANTERBURY Wellington, This Day. The following notes on the weather for March have been supplied by th* Director of Meteorological Services:— Generarl; Westerly weather was mueh more prevalent during March than in recent months so that eastern district* were rather dry , sunny and mild, while elsewhere rain was fairly frequent with cool temperatures and only average sunshine. Conditions have continued favourable for dairy farming in Auckland, Taranaki and the Manawatu. In Gisborne and Hawkes Bay the hill country is parched, but the dry weather has assisted harvesting. Most South Island farming districts report fairly satisfactory conditions, although a predominance of showery Weather made it a poor month for Southland. Rainfall: Rainfall was above normal from the Waikato southwards to Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds; also about and west of the southern high country as well as over Southland and northward of Timaru. Elsewhere rainfall was generally deficient. This feature was most marked between East Cape and Waipukurau, but rainfalls were also below half the average near Russell and Waihi. The more important thunderstorms were those late on the 4th from Cook Strait to the Manawatu; one in Central Otago and several in Southland on the 20th. Temperature: Temperatures were slightly above normal at Gisborne. Napier and Timaru, otherwise they were cooler than usual, the departure* increasing towards the west in some cases to 2deg. F. Most districts experienced a few light frosts. Sunshine: Sunshine was in contrast to the previous month conspicuously better than normal. Between Wellington and Timaru. the surplus was 50 hours or more. It was a record sunny March for Canterbury while for Christchurch this was the sunniest of any month for at least 17 years.