THE WEATHER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23704, 11 January 1939, Page 16

THE WEATHER

OFFICIAL FORECAST > TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENT The following is the official weather forecast:— Pressure is rising generally over the Dominion with the approach of a weak anti-cyclone, but a new series of rapidly-moving westerly depressions is already crossing south-eastern Australia. Indications are for: — Winds.—South-westerly to southerly, of gale force in many places south of Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay, but decreasing gradually and veering to north-west or north from Cook Strait southwards and later freshening again. Seas.—New Zealand waters: Very rough in the Taranaki Bight and about Southland; elsewhere rather rough to rough, seas decreasing on the East Coast, but a southerly swell continuing south of East Cape, Eastern Tasman Sea: Strong but gradually decreasing southerly winds, turning to west or north-west in the central and southern portions; seas moderate in the north, but otherwise rather rough. Weather.—Scattered showers at first, but soon improving, conditions, however, becoming unsettled again later in Westland and the far south, a cool change accompanied by some thunderstorms advancing over the North Island, but temperatures rising generally today. UNSEASONABLE WEATHER HIGH WINDS AND HAIL ft LITTLE DAMAGE REPORTED Strong, gusty winds, accompanied by passing rain showers and some hail, swept over the city throughout yesterday, and continued during the evening. Conditions became stormy about midnight on Monday, and in the early hours of the morning some exceptionally strong blasts were experienced, and these were occasionally accompanied by driving rain, although there were no heavy falls. Temperatures were cold, and the wind remained strong from the south-west. Between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. there was a heavy shower of rain and hail, and conditions continued to be unpleasant. Only minor damage was reported, and shipping was not interfered with. The prolonged high winds from the south-west drove great rollers against the cliffs at St. Clair and Lawyers Head and swept thei beaches well above the ordinary high-tide level. In the harbour no damage was reported along the waterfront, but the "niSh spring tide reached a height of Bft 2m, only 2in below the record level. , A few electrical service wires were broken, and the 6000-volt line at Pine Hill road was affected, but no other damage was caused. In the parks and reserves small branches were torn from the trees and scattered, but no trees were actually blown over, in the Botanic Gardens no damage worthy of mention was experienced. The maximum temperature during the day was 53 degrees, but the ba - meter rose steadily from 29.50 inches at 8 a.m. to 29.75 inches at midnight. The following observations, were taken on the sellßecording[instruments at the Otago Daily Times Office. Dunedin, up to midnight on Tuesday, January 10: Barometer 8 a.m. Noon. 6 p.m. Midnight. 29.50 29.50 20.60 29.76

Thermometer 48 53 50 ' «

Maximum temperature hours ended 6 p.m. yesterday—s3deg. Minimum temperature for 24 hours ended 6 p.m. yesterday—4sdeg. Average maximum temperature for Januaryr 67deg; for February /Ideg; for March. 66deg; for April. 63deg; for May, 59deg; for June, 52deg; for July. 47deg: for August, 56deg; for September, 56deg; for October. for November. Gldeg; for December, 6odeg. Average minimum temperature mr January 52deg; for February, 58deg; for March, 52deg; for April. 51deg, for May, 46deg; for June, 36deg; for July, 35deg; for August. 44deg; for September 44deg; for October 46deg; for November. 58deg; for December, 49deg. Average maximum temperature for week ended December 24—58 deg; for week ended December 31—65 deg: for week endeo January 7—6Bdeg. Rainfall for 24 nours ended midnight yesterday —.21in. Rainfall for week ended December 24 ,88in; for week ended December 31 —i.22in; for week ended January 7 —,,77in. . ... Rainfall for January, 4,45 m; for February, .67in; for March, 1.13 m; for April, 2.90 in; for May, 1.66 in; for Tune, 3.18 in; for July, 2.01 in: for August. ,70in; for September, 1.70 in; for October, 1.63 in: for November. 3.26 in: for December 8.59 in. Rainfall for 1932 29.83 in; for 1933, 33.04 in, for 1934, 29.28 in; for 1935. 27.13 in: for 1936. 20.38 in: for 1937. 31 -19 in; for 1938, 31.33 in. Rainfall for 1939 to date—l.o3in. Sunshine for 1939 to date—69hr 35min. . _ Sunshine for week ended December 3—22 hr 20min; for week ended December 10—42 hr 45min; for week ended December 17—28 hr 50min; for week ended December 24—30 hr lOmin; for

week ..ied December 31—36 hr 55mia| for week ended January 7—47 hr 30min, Sunshine for January, 210 hr 35miu; for February. 190 hr 20min; for March, 141 hr 45min; for April, 96hr 15minj for May, 140 hr 55mm; for June, 78hr 20min; foi July, 76hr 30min; for August,. 144 hr 50mih, for September, Is4hr 25min; for October, 18Ihr smin; for November, 161 hr ISmiiw for Docemoer, I6ohr 20min. Sunshine for 1932, 1705 hr; for 1933,, 1954*hr; for 1934, 1565 hr; for 1935, 1867 hr 6min; for 1936, 1401 hr 38minj for 1937, 1559 hr 25min; for 1938, 1718 hr 15min. v, Sunshine for 24 hours, ended midnight yesterday—before noon, 2hr 55min; after noon, 2hr SOmin. Total, shr 45min. • ■ IN OTHER CENTRES (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND. Jan. 10. The day was fine and sunny, with a fresh south-west wind. . .The maxi* mum temperature was 71 degrees; Thf barometric pressure was- steady, ' with the reading at 5 p.m. 29.89 inches.. WELLINGTON, Jan. 10. The weather was sunny and mild to-day, with a strong north-westerly wind. Occasional gusts, of wind at a velocity - of over 50 miles an houf were recorded, The minimum temperature last night was 54.6, degrees, and the maximum to-day was 66.6 da* grees. At 3.30 this afternoon the barometer reading was 29.483 Inches. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 10. The weather was fine and sunny early to-day, with a strong north-west wind. Later the wind changed to south-west, and there were several heavy showers, but late this afternoon the weather was again fine and sunny. The maximum temperature was oa degrees. The barometer at 5 p,m. waf rising at 29.53 inches, OFFICIAL REPORT (Per United Press Association)

' WELLINGTON. .Tan, 10. The following was the official weathet report at 4 p.m. to-day• Bar. Ther. Norfolk Island—E„ slight br„ 30.06 ' detached cloud, smooth seas 77 Cape Maria—W., fresh hr.. overcast, misty, moderate 20.99 83 Auckland—S.S.W., moderate 29.84 07 hr., blue sky. hazy .. .. .. East Cape—S.E., gentle br., 29.58 71 blue sky, hazy, slight seas_.. Gisborne—E., gentle br., de29.S0 72 tached cloud, smooth seas .. Chateau Tongarlro (9 a.m.)—■ W.N.W., fresh br„- detached _ Cape U Egmont—W.. strong br., blue sky, rough seas .. .. T** Napier—S.W., gale, blue sky Farewell Spit—&.W., high 29.58 78 wind, detached cloud, hazy. 29.88 03 very rough seas .. ... ... Stephen Island —S.W., fresh 29.63 60 . br.. blue sky, rougjj seas. .. Wellington—N.W., strong br., 29.48 84 blue sky. squally, rough seas Cape Campbell—W.S.W., high wind, detached cloud, threat29.49 08 ening, rough seas ,. Westport—S.W., gale, overcast. 29.70 51 passing showers, rough seas Grey mouth—S.W., strong br., detached cloud, passing 29.78 01 showers, squally, rough'seas Akaroa Light—S.W., strong br.. detached . cloud, rough 29.90 W seas • • Nugget Point—S.W., gale, detached cloud, passing showers, hail, very rough 29.43 m Bluff—W„ high wind, cloudy, 29J57 58 rough seas .. •• Puysegur Point—S.W., gale, detached cloud, squally, very 29.70 51 rough seas • Chatham Islands (noon)—S.W., gale, overcast, rain in sight of station, squally, very 29.31 51 rough seas .. ...... Sydney—E., gentle br., blue 29.80 n sky i, Hobart—N.N.W., moderate br„ 78, cloudy 29.62