WEATHER SUMMARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3864, 3 April 1928, Page 52

WEATHER SUMMARY.

MONTH OF MARCH. LIGHT AUTUMN RAINFALL. A light autumn rainfall was recorded in Dunedin during the past month. Records compiled at the Musselburgh Pumping Station show that the total rainfall for March was I.Boin. The fall was considerably lighter than that recorded for March last year, and the third lightest since 1924. Ln March, 1927, the fall was 4.04 in. Rain felkon only six days during the past month, so that the 31-day period was remarkably dry for this season of the year. The falls, with two exceptions, were very light. No rain fell between March 4 and 8, or between -March 10 and 23, which was the longest spell of fine weather during the month The heaviest fall was on March 8, when the pumping station instruments registered 1.05 in. This was nearly half an inch less than the heaviest fall in February. The only other fall of any consequence was on March 10, when nearly half an inch was registered About 18 days of the past month were bright and sunny, while several days were dull and overcast. Moderate to strong winds from the northeast and south-west prevailed at various times, the conditions being boisterous only on one or two days. There were many calm days during the month. Tho following table shows the days on which rain fell during the month endea on Saturday:—

TEMEPRATURES DURING MARCH. Although there was a noticeable fall in the temperature during the past month, the daily readings were fairly even, averaging between 56 and 67 degrees (maximum). The highest reading was 67deg, registered on March 24. This reading was 12deg less than the highest recorded in February, but, as it is now past mid autumn, the drop in the temperature was to be expected during March. On several days the thermometer rose to 66deg, while the average readings were between 61 deg and 64deg. The mercury fell below_ 60deg on only seven days. There was a decided chilly atmosphere on March 16, when the thermometer showed 56deg (maximum) and 48deg (minimum). The lowest minimum readings were 40deg, on March 1; 44deg, -on March 6 and 22; 45deg, on Marell 18, 27, 28, and 29; and 46deg, on March 14. The atmosphere was fairly warm at the end of the month, when the maximum thermometer readings varied from 63deg to 65deg. T he borometer was remarkably high and fairly steady during the first nine days of the past month. The highest reading was ou March 17, the barometer showing 30.40 at 8 a.m. and 30.42 at 5 p.m. These were the highest readings recorded in Dunedin for several months. Between March 1 and 8 the average daily reading was 30.20. The conditions changed ou March 9. when the barometer fell to 29.90. A further climatic change took place on March 10 and 11, the morning reading on the latter date being 29.67. The barometer rose quickly on March 12, the evening reading being 30.00. Between. March 13 and 22 the readings varied from 30.09, 30.30, 30.36. and 30.42. These readings were considerably higher than those recorded for January and February. The barometer fell again on March 23, the evening reading being 29.66. There was a further drop on March 24, the readings on that date being 29.61. These were the lowest readings recorded during the mouth. The barometer was down to 29.67 on the evening of March 26, but it rose rapidly during the next two days, being as high as 30.21 on the morning of March 29.

March 3 .02 March 23 .07 March 8 1.05 March 25 .04 March 10 .40 March 26 .22 The following . table gives the monthly rainfall figures : for the past five years : — 1924 1925 1926 1927 1923 January ... . ... 1.83 .76 2.03 2.35 1.27 February . ... 1.22 1.71 5.7 3.43 2.45 March ... .92 3.96 .78 4.04 1.80 April . ... 1.82 2.10 1.28 2.76 May , ... 2.96 1.48 5.44 2.86 June O 70 2.06 1.24 2.10 July . ... 2.08 3.81 1.3 4.69 August ... .32 4.66 3.15 3.6 September ... 1.27 2.16 2.00 3.73 October .. 4.68 2.04 4.51 3.56 November . ... 1.22 3.10 3.18 2.62 December . ... 2.76 2.09 4.68 2.89 Annual . ... 24.25 29.87 35.34 33.55