FEBRUARY WEATHER

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11772, 7 March 1924, Page 4

FEBRUARY WEATHER

OFFICIAL SUMMAHY. Mr D. C. Bat©*, director of th© Govern* nient meteorological office, furnishes the following weather summary for Februso far to hand show that with the exception of Canterbury the rainfall was mostly somewhat above the average for the month in previous years. Thero were during the month few atmospheric disturbances of much intensity or long duration. The month opened with a small westerly storm, but this was followed bv anti-cyclonic conditions which S revailed for nearly a fortnight over the forth Island. The latter part of the month was more changeable owing to inflnences outside the Dominion. There was great warmth and high humidity, which conditions, rather than barometric changes, accounted for the rains that proved so generally beneficial to the country, especially about the middle of the month. The rainfall was often of a scatterod or Local character, probably owing to electrical conditions. Thunderstorms of note were reported in Southland, and accounted for some local rainfalls on th<» 12th and The dryness of the soil and the suddenness of the

downpours prevented its soaking in and left the country still in need of more moisture. Two westerly depressions also passed in the south, on the 20th and 23rd, causing gales and rain; the same systems, however, being responsible for the hard and dry nor'-wester© in Canterbury and other part© of Otago.