HOTTEST DECEMBER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22004, 10 January 1935, Page 11

HOTTEST DECEMBER

NEW ZEALAND RECORD EFFECT UPON FARMING REVIEW BY METEOROLOGIST Last month was the hottest December ever recorded in New Zealand, and no other month has exhibited so large a difference from its corresponding normal, states Dr. E. Kidson, Dominion meteorologist, in his notes on weather for the month. The effect of the dry weather was accentuated by the very high temperatures ruling, but on the other hand it was somewhat mitigated by the unusual absence of wind. As a result of the exceptional conditions, states Dr. Kidson, pastures have become parched and brown and fruits and crops have ripened and plants flowered in an immature condition. Root crops have germinated badly in many places. The milk yield has fallen off considerably, and lambs are not fattening so well as previously. Otherwise stock is in good condition. In North Auckland and at scattered places elsewhere, the general conditions were reversed and there is still plenty of green pasture.

The Auckland Peninsula, especially the northern portion, had a very wet month, but in all other major divisions of the country the average rainfall deficiency was large. This was particularly the case from the Wellington Province southward. In parts of the central plateau of the North Island, in the Opotiki district, and in much of Otago and Southland, conditions were better than elsewhere. The lowest rainfalls were experienced near Wellington, on the Wairau Plains and in parts of Canterbury. Several places near Wellington, much of Banks Peninsula, and the Lake Coleridge area recorded none at all. Abundant Sunshine The mean temperatures were everywhere much above normal and most places experienced the hottest December on record. In 110 other month since recording began has the average departure from normal over the Dominion, whether positive or negative, been so high. In numbers of districts the mean was 7 degrees or more above the average. The most noticeable feature was the uniform conditions with persistently high readings. The coldest spell occurred on December 9 and 10, but minimum temperatures below 50 degrees were infrequent in all districts.

Abundant sunshine was experienced in most places and several had their highest monthly total on record. Nelson reports 336 hours, Blenheim 322.8 and Wellington 313.7. Extremely uniform pressure conditions were experienced, with rather high readings ruling. The outstanding feature of the situation was the almost continuously high pressure to the eastward as shown by the reports from Chatham Island. At the same time low pressure prevailed over Australia. As a result, the prevailing wind was north-easterly mid westerlies were conspicuous by their absence. Resemblance to Sub-tropics

No really cold weather was experienced. The conditions in sbme respects resembled those in the sub-tropics. There were high temperatures and the atmosphere was frequently humid. The rains that fell were always somewhat sporadic in character. Thunderstorms were very numerous and frequent, especially in the high country of the North Island and of Nelson. During the first ten days disturbed weather persisted over the Tasman Sea, a deep cyclone developing in the northern portion. As the remains of this passed by to the north, very heavy rain fell in North Auckland, severe floods being experienced in the extreme north. A shallow depression followed closely, and on December 11 occurred the nearest approach to general rain. As this depression passed eastward also, the barometer at Chatham Island showed the only considerable fall recorded during the month. Several other slight disturbances passed, and from Christmas time onward conditions became increasingly unsettled, with many local thunderstorms.