WEATHER IN JULY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23418, 7 August 1939, Page 11

WEATHER IN JULY

COLD, STORMY MONTH DIFFICULTIES OF STOCK UNPRECEDENTED SNOWFALLS. ■[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Saturday • After four mild months, July was exceptionally severe, reports the Director of Meteorological Services, Dr. H. A. F. Burnett. With winds almost continuously from a southerly quarter, the month was one of the coldest ever experienced by the Dominion. Exceedingly cold and stormy conditions prevailed throughout the greater part of the time. The wetness is proving troublesome for calving. Fortunately, the main lambing season has not commenced, and early lambs have withstood the extreme cold fairly well. In the back country of tlie South Island, and particularly in Southland, where there are still deep snow drifts, it is feared losses will be very heavy. Pastures at Standstill With pastures at a standstill, the rigours of winter have made heavy demands 011 limited supplies of winter feed. 11l effects on the ewes will come into evidence later, but on the whole stock is in fair condition. Uain was well distributed. r fiio rainfall was below average in Westland, Nelson, parts of North Otago and South Canterbury, and sheltered parts both of North Taranaki and of the WairoaEast Cape region. Excess rain was experienced elsewhere, notably so in North Auckland, Banks Peninsula and the far south. In Christchurch and Dunedin totals were more than treble the average. The mean temperatures were considerably below normal. The average departure was nearly three degrees Fahrenheit, but in several areas the departures were between four degrees and five degrees Fahrenheit, Day temperatures were particularly low. Frosts were frequent and widespread and were unusually severe in the North Island. Many Hail Showers Hail showers were common throughout the month, while snowfalls were in many places unprecedented. The chief falls occurred in the periods 4th —10th, ]6th —17tli, and 22nd-31st. Most urban areas had at least minor falls, while in Dunedin heavy show resulted in serious disorganisation. The hours of bright sunshine were less than normal in the South Island, except in Westland and parts of Marlborough. In the North Island, South Auckland had well above average figures, while tlio remainder of the stations recorded about the average. The chief thunderstorms occurred on the 4th in Taranaki and Auckland and again on the 23rd and 24th, when thunder was widespread. Manaia had a rather severe electrical storm on the 31st.