REMARKABLE WEATHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18730, 9 June 1924, Page 8

REMARKABLE WEATHER.

A MONTH OF STORMS.

GREAT EXCESS OF RAIN.

[BY XKLEGSATIT. PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] WELLINGTON. Saturday.'

The Director of the Meteorological Office reports that the rainfall records for the month of May show a great excess,' especially in the northern and east coast districts of the North Island. -South Island returns present less diversity,, although the total is considerably below the average for the month in South Canterbury, while it is in excess in North Canterbury and Otago, being 34 per cent, above at Dunedin and 28 per cent, at Invercargill. Two cyclonic disturbances passed in the north on the 3rd and 17th. The centre of the former travelled northward to the Bay of Plenty, apparently from the direction of the Kermadec Islands, and the latter coming from tho north-west, travelled the districts, while the centre was in the-'vicinity of Awantr.i. The officer in charge of the wireless station at Awanui observed and corrected

the reading of tho standard barometer, which show-ad a minimum of 28.8Qin., having fallen from 30.43 in. on the 13th, and recovered to 30.05 m. on _ the 19th.. But little change in atmospheric pressure followed over the Dominion, until the end of the month, but on May 25 a remarkable storm of heavy rain and fierce easterly gales visited the northern and east coast districts of the North Island. Although the barometer was high, and did not move more than two-tenths of an inch during the storm, it was evident that it was the edge of a cyclonic area, operating northward, of the Dominion, and a remarkable oscillation of pressure was reported from Chatham Islands, where barometric pressure reached 30.69 inchcs on the 26th. The occurrence is one of the most noticeable meteorological events recorded in this country for a long time. Three westerly disturbances of moderate intensity passed in the South, culminating on the Ist, 10th, and 31st.