OCTOBER WEATHER SUMMARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22100, 2 November 1933, Page 13

OCTOBER WEATHER SUMMARY

(Fkom Oue Own Cokbespondent ) OPHIR, November 1.

Following’ is the report of the Ophir Meteorological Station for the month of October, 1933—standard time observed Average reading of barometer at 9 a.m., 29.90 in; highest (2nd), 30.50 in; lowest (20th), 29.40 in; extreme range, l.lOin.

Mean shade temperature at 0 a.m., 53.5 deg (September, 4G.7deg; October, 1932, 53.5 deg). Highest rending (25th), 68.4 deg; lowest (22nd), 38.9 deg. The highest in September was 58.9 deg; in October, 1932, (14.6 deg. f Shade temperature extremes:—Mean maximum, G2.3dcg (September, 58.9 deg; October, 1932, G3.sdeg). The highest was 78.2 deg on October 24; the lowest, 43.1 deg, on October 21. The highest in September was G7.9deg; in October, 1932, 73.0 deg. ' Mean minimum, 40.4 deg (September, 34.7 deg; October, 1932, 40.5dcg). The lowest minimum was 22.2d0g on October 23. The lowest in September was 2G.2 deg; in October, 1932, 28.3 deg. Mean shade temperature for the month, 51.3 deg; for September, 46.8 deg.

Range of temperature for the month, 21.9 deg; for September, 24.2dcg. Grass temperature: Mean minimum, 31.3dcg (September, 27.8 deg; October, 1932, 34.5 deg). The highest was 48.0 deg on October 6; the lowest 10.4 deg on October 23. In September the lowest was 17.5dcg; in October, 1982, 20.1d0g,. The grass temperature fell to 32 degrees and lower on 17 mornings; to SO.Sdcg (frost) and lower on 16 mornings. In September the corresponding number of mornings were 21 and 21; in October, 1932', they were 14 and 10 respectively. The grass temperature fell to 20deg (i.e., 12 below freezing) and lower on five mornings (viz., 19.1 deg, 17.7 deg, IG.Sdeg, 15.3dcg and 10.4 deg). In September there were only two mornings, 19.4 deg and 17.5 deg; in October, 1982, none below 20deg. Mean dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures and humidity: 9 a.m.—dry, 53,5dcg; w'ct, 47.0 deg. 3 p.m.—dry, 58.5 deg; wet, SO.ldcg. Mean relative humidity: 9 a.m., 58 per cent.; 3 p.m., 51.5 per cent, of saturation. In September the corresponding percentages of saturation were 72.3 and 54.5; in October; 1932, 63.0 and 49.5. , •

Average clearness of sky: 7 a.m., 48 per cent.; 9 a.m., 42 per cent.; 7 p.ra., 39 per cent.; 10 p.m., 44 per cCnt. The number of observations at 0 a.m. of “clear sky” (cloud, 0 to 2) was 10; of “overcast sky” (cloud 8 to 10) it j was 14. I

Wind, recorded at 9 a.m.: Forces 8 to 12, nil; forces 4to 7,5; calm, 8 days. Daily average of wind force, 1.6. Diroi> tion: N., 2 days; N.E., 1 day; E., 14 days; S.E., 1 day; S., nil; S.W., 2 days; W.. 54 days; N.W., 10 days. Rainfall: October 3,2 points; Ith, ,63 points; Bth, 1 point; 14th, 9' points; 20th, 7 points; 21st, 1 point; 28th, 28 points;—total. 111 points on 7 days. Average for October in preceding nine years, 192 points on 9.4 days.' Total rainfall from January 1 to October 31, 13.09 inches on 82 days. Other phenomena: Gale, nil'; snow, nil; snow lying, nil; hail, nil; lightning, one; thunder, nil; fog, nil; mist, nil; smoke haze, 5; hoar frost (9 a.m.), nil; rime, nil; glazed frost, nil. : , ; Snowfalls occurred on the Dunstan Range as follow:—7th, night, heavy fall to about 2200 feet altitude; 15th, early morning; light fall; 20th, afternoon, moderate fall, to about 2800 altitude; 28th, forenight, moderate fall to about 3000 feet altitude. At the end of the month only scattered drifts remain on the ridge and in high, deep gullies.'

General, remarks: The barometer was very unsteady throughout the month. The amount of wind was much above normal —mostly from N.W. Precipitation was only 58 pgr cent, of the average October rainfall.' A very keen frost on the early morning of October 23 did much damage to stone and pip fruits, especially early varieties. In this locality small fruits were only lightly damaged, but early potato, marrow and beau crops were severely frosted.