WEATHER SUMMARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20705, 1 May 1929, Page 7

WEATHER SUMMARY.

MONTH OF APRIL. EXCEPTIONALLY LIGHT RAINFALL. An exceptionally light rainfall was recorded in Dunedin during the month of April. The fall, in fact, was the lighest for April since 1926, The total fall last month was 1.33 inches—nearly 5J inches I®* B than the fall recorded for March, slightly less than the fall registered for February, and nearly 2J inches less than the fall for April last year. No rain fell during the first two weeks of April, and as the total fall extended over eight days, there were 22 days which came under the heading of “ bright sunshine.” It was an exceptionally fine, month, notable for the long spoil of sunshine and calm weather. Only two falls of rain of any consequence occurred. The heaviest fall was over three-quarters of an inch on April 29, and the second heaviest fall amounted to only about a quarter of an ,inch on April 30. The other falls, which were widely spaced, were of little consequence. The rain period in April was in striking contrast with the conditions experienced in March, when there were 12 wet days, with a total rainfall of 6.80 inches. In January there were 18 and in February 10 wet days. The winds were mostly light to moderate from the north-east, south-west, and southeast throughout the month. The following table shows the days on which rain fell during the month ended yesterday:— dpril J 4 .. .03 April 22 .. .06 April 16 ... .01 April 28 .. .08 April 17 .. .07 April 29 ~ .79 April 21 .. .03 April 30 .. .20 1936 1928 1327 1928 1929 January ... 7$ 3.03 3.35 1-27 »57 February . ... 1.71 5.7 3.43 2.45 1.4* March 3.99 78 4.04 1.80 8.80 April 3.10 1.28 2.78 3.77 1.33 May ... ... 1.48 5.44 3.86 .83 June ... 2.06 1.34 2.10 1.86 July ... 3.84 1.3 4.69 91 August ... 4.66 3.15 3.6 .73 September ... 3.16 2.00 3.73 1.62 October .. 2.04 4.51 3.56 4.79 November . 3.10 3.18 2.62 1.25 December .. 2.09 4.68 3.89 3.25 annual .. 39.87 35.34 33.53 24.43 In 1924 the total rainfall was 24.26 inches. ' . APRIL TEMPERATURES. Although the past month heralded the middle of the autumn or fall season, the temperature was fairly high throughout. The conditions generally were very pleasant, the sun shining brightly day after day. The average daily maximum thermometer readings were between 53 and 58 degrees. These readings show that the temperature throughout the month was several degrees below the temperature recorded for March. The highest temperature was on April 19, when 62 degrees in the shade were registered—ll degrees less than the highest rcadiug for March. The temperature was as high as 61 degrees on April 10, and 60 degrees on April 9 and 12. On at least 14 days of the month the maximum temperature was below 56 degrees, and below 50 degrees on about four days- The lowest readings were on the last -two days of the month, the mercury dropping to 45 degrees on April 29 and 30. The lowest minimum reading was on April 17.’ when the thermometer showed 34 degrees, while 35 degrees were registered on April 22 and 36 degrees on April 2 and 30. The average minimum readings for the month were between 36 and 44 degrees. The temperature was cold towards the end of the month. The barometer was at a high level during the first six days of the month. It was as high as 30.35 on April 1. and remained around the 30.00 mark until April 7, when it dropped to 29.90. Consideiable atmospheric changes took place during the next 10 days, as the readings were between 29.69 and 30.14. From the morning of April 13 to the morning of April 17 the barometer rose 37 points, but fell 27 points during the next four days. There was little change in the atmospheric conditions between April 19 and 25. the barometer being fairly steady and within the 29.80 mark during that period. From 29.80 on the evening of April 25 the barometer fell to 29.69 on the evening of April 26. The barometer fell very rapidly towards the end of the month. The reading on the evening of April 28 was 29.67, and 29.33 the following morning—a full of 34 points in 15 hours. The barometer continued to fall very rapidly, being as low as 29.18 on the evening of April 29 —a fall of 49 points in 24 hours This was the lowest reading recorded during the month. On 12 days the barometer rose above the 30.30 mark.