METEOROLOGICAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21019, 7 May 1930, Page 9

METEOROLOGICAL.

THE WEATHER IN APRIL (PEB> UNiTED i’BF.SS ASSOCIATION. > . WELLINGTON, May 6. Dr E. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services,'states that April was remarkable for the high proportion of dry, - sunny weather, and the relative absence of storms. _ There was a prevalence of anti-cyclonic conditions, with southerly .winds, consequently, although the amount of sunshine. was above the normal the temperature was slightly below, and frosts were rather numerous, especially in the South Island. The rain which fell did not occur in general heavy falls, but was rather erratically distributed Much of it came in the last three, days of the month, and was too late in most districts to produce much growth of pasture. The Taranaki and Manawatu districts fared well, but in parts of • the remainder of the country,-and especially, Canterbury and Otago, .March and April were both cool and dry, and there is likely to be some shortage of feed during the winter. The total rainfall was above normal in northern Auckland, about East Cape, over the low-lying parts of Taranaki, and Wellington, most of Marlborough, and about Nelson. In other parts it was almost everywhere below the average, and in the South Island especially the deficits wore large throughout the month. Storms- were almost continually developing in sub-tropical waters to the north of the Tasman Sea, and .thence eastward to beyond New, Zealand. - The majority of these failed to affect the Dominion directly to any great extent, though they assisted in th e production of the prevailing high pressure and southerly and south-easterly winds. .Though causing fine weather, over most of ;the Dominion the' latter were responsible for unpleasant and showery weather in North Auckland and north 'of Napier. There was remarkably little • wind in most places during the month, and such gales as occurred were short-lived. Snow fell on the highlands of the South Island on the Otb, 10th, 29th, and 30th, but the amounts' were ■ not large, and the mountains are usually free from snow . There were only three periods when rain was at all widespread. The first was from the Bth to the 11th, .Between these dates all parts of .the. country received rain, and the total registrations were heavy at many places. The rain was due to a cyclone .which appeared near Tasmania on the. sth. . The' pressure was high to the east of New Zealand, and the storm centre, moving slowly eastward, gradually lost .its intensity. It crossed the Dominion on the Bth, producing only light to moderate rains on the 9th. However, a secondary developed west of the South Island, , and moved across .northern Otago. Rain became more general, and there were many heavy falls, especially in the South Island. Some violent. thunderstoms were reported. Exceptionally heavy rain fell on the 9th in the Motueka and .Moutere districts, and as far inland ,as Tarawera. At' Upper Moutere 8,19 inches were recorded, and the resulting floods .were the heaviest ever experienced. The railway line was damaged in several places, and motor traffic was interrupted -in the district about Woodville, FahiatUa, and Waipukurau. There were also severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours. Conditions remained rather disturbed until the 12th. On that day a cyclone, the centre passing north of New Zealand, caused southerly gales in North Auckland. On, the 19th a cyclone which seemed . likely to. bring good rains to the Dominion appeared in the north Tasman Sea. -Unfortunately it took a northward course, and passed between New Zealand and Norfolk, Island. Oh.the 20th some rain fell in the northern and western parts of the North Island. 'Taranaki, Wanganui, and Manawatu districts experiencing some heavy falls. Luckily- for the Easter holiday-makers most of the rain fell during the night on the 24th, Another cyclone of considerable intensity developed, near Tasmania. The pressure w.as again high to. the east of ■ New. Zealand,, and - as in the beginning of the month the storm -made slow progress towards New Zealand, and Tost its intensity.' However, while it was crossing the Dominion on the 28tb the northerly winds brought, very warm, sultry weather,- and : the. conditions became favourable for , rain. When a-southerly set in -on ‘ the 29th the depression developed , a secondary centre west of the North Island. This crossed the Dominion, and finally died out on the 30th. By that time general rains had - fallen, with many -heavy falls in Nelson, Marlborough, and northwards. These came for the most part on the night of the 28th and on the 29th, and were accompanied in places by thunderstorms. At Auckland the lightning was particularly severe, and a house in Remuera'was struck.