WEATHER SUMMARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 38

WEATHER SUMMARY.

CONDITIONS DURING FEBRUARY. WELLINGTON, March 5. The following weather summary fop February is supplied by the director of tie Meteorological Office: — The month began with the Dominion in the throes of the driest spell experienced for many years ; but after the first week prospects of rain began to improve. Gradually each successive pressure disturbance caused more widespread rain than its predecessors. On the 21st the conditions became definitely favourable, and rains, ough still far from general, in most cases only light, fell over large parts of both islands. The type of weather changed completely thenceforward. Generals rains fell on the 23rd, 24th, 26th, and 27th. From the 24th there was a considerable drop in temperature, and snow fell on many of the mountain areas, especially in the South Island, the 26th and 27th.

So far as the monthly totals are concerned the rain of the latter end of the month caused February to lose much of its droughty character. Though the first three weeks were almost everywhere very dry, moderate to heavy falls were experienced generally during the last week, and scattered places, especially in the North Island, received more than the average. The deficiencies were most serious in the Taranaki and Nelson provinces and in parts of the Manawatu. On the West Coast of the South Island, from Greymouth southwards, most places appear to have had more than the normal February fall.

As regards pressure, the most prominent feature of the first 10 days was one which it had inherited from January, namely—a persistence of high pressure over the northern portion of the North Island. Two tropical cyclones were experienced in the Pacific islands to the north east, towards the end of January. Subsequent to their passage the pressure rose in that region, and one of the conditions adverse to rain in New Zealand appeared to have been removed. Low barometers were, however, still the rule over Australia, where very heavy rains occurred. It was not until after anti-cyclonic conditions had been fully established on the 23rd in Australia that the wet period c —rmenced in New Zealand, the low pressure area now shifting to the Dominion. The rapid movement of the pressure systems, which has been commented on in notes for months past, was no less pronounced during February. A depression would cross the South Island within about 36hr of passing Hobart. Such depressions as affected the Dominion were mainly shallow waves. Those recorded reached us on the 2nd, sth, Sth, 10th, 13th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, and 26th—the number being unusually -large for a single month. That of the 21st was the only one which was deep on its arrival over New Zealand, but the pressure was low over and to the east of the North Island fro.u the 25th to the 28th. The anticyclones were, as a rule, rather poorlv developed during the month. The centres passed on the 4th, Sth, 12th, 15th, 22nd, and 24th . Of these, that of the 15th was the most intense, the pressure reaching 30.5 in in some places. It has .been noticed that the breaking of a drought such as happened on this occasion is frequently preceded by the development of intense anti-cyclonic conditions. The winds have been light on the whole, but strong southerlies have prevailed, more especially from Cook Strait northwards. On the 27th and 28th gales were reported from many parts of the North Island. The absence of wind mitigated considerably the effects of the drought in the early part of the month. The temperatures were generally above normal, and fruit, grain, and other crops ripened well. -The heat, however, increased the delecterious effect of the dry conditions on the pastures. '’’Tender crops were cut in parts of the North Island in a frost which occurred on the morning ot the 29th in clear weather following cold southerly winds. There has been a considerable falling off in the milk yields; but with good rains and further warm weather in March a partial recovery is expected. Fat lambs nave not come on as was expected in some parts, but sheep on the whole appear to have stood the drought remarkably well. The season continues in the main, therefore, to be a good-one.