WEATHER IN MARCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20069, 8 April 1927, Page 6

WEATHER IN MARCH.

METEOROLOGICAL SURVEY. PAIXFALL ABOVE AVERAGE. (Peb Uxited Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 7. For the month of March, Mr D. C. Bates, Dominion Meteorologist, reports as follows:—March is regarded ns the first month of autumn in these latitudes, but the earlier half was decidedly summerlike —calm, warm, and fair generally. The latter part of the month, however, was quite different in character, being cold, unsettled, and boisterous. The contrast between the two periods was very marked, and an observer in Otago found that the average temperature of the first half was 10 degrees higher than that of the latter. The lowest reading of the barometer, SB.9sin, was recorded at 3 p.m. on the 29th at Bluff, and this storm was apparently affiliated with a cyclonic disturbance, the centre of which passed over the South Island, the lowest atmospheric pressure, 28.65 in, being observed at Christchurch at 7 p.m. on the 23rd. These storms will be. remembered by being associated with the close of the Royal visit. Although popularly described and recognised ns “equinoctial, ’’ and not without some justification (for there have been in past years several notable storms about tlio time of (he equinox, the greatest one in 1910, causing the Raetihi bush fires), yet there is no apparent scientific reason for associating these disturbances with the solar crossing of the Equator, and their occurrence must still be regarded as fortuitous. The 28th witnessed the passage of the trough of another westerly or Antarctic “low." after which the barometer rose steadily, with strong southerly winds bringing a cold snap. At the close ol the month there were some slight frosts, and snow was left rather low down on the southern mountains. With the exception of the cast coasts of both islands, the rainfall was generally much above the average. It was, indeed, excessive on the higher levels, and the southernmost parts of the .South Island. The total fall for the month at Arthur’s Pass was 35.42 in, of which 10.35 in fell on the 23rd, and of this 8.52 in wore registered in nine horns. Floods were reported in the Waimakariri and other rivers on this account, and there was also a big flood in Marlborough. At this time the westerly gales were troublesome to orehardists, for apples in particular had not quite matured. The heat and dryness of summer, however, left a warm soil, on which the rains produced a profuse and wonderful growth of