WEATHER SUMMARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3961, 11 February 1930, Page 66

WEATHER SUMMARY.

CONDITIONS IN JANUARY. WELLINGTON, February 6. In January, though weather of the westerly type has igain been less predominant than in ordinary years, two spells experienced were quite sufficiently vigorous samples. The first occurred during the first week of the month. The principal depression of this series was a deep V depression which crossed New Zealand on th< 4th. On that day there were widespread northerly gales. Very heavy and general rain fell on the 3rd and 4th. In the Thames Valley there was some flooding, and the Mangamahoe Dam in Taranaki was damaged by a cloudburst. On the sth, though there was less rain, there were some severe hailstorms in Canterbury, Marlborough, and Wellington. The second westerly spell lasted from the 19th * the 22nd. Northerly or north-westerly gales were particularly severe at Wellington. The 24 hours ending at 9 a.m. on the 21st was one of the windiest periods ever experienced in Canterbury. The high winds caused some damage. Very heavy rain fell on the ranges of the South Island during this period, and there were considerable snowfalls on the high levels. Thunderstorms were recorded at many places at Auckland, and on the 21st a torrential downpour caused flooding in some of the city streets. The steamship Awarua was struck by a thunderbolt while at Half Moon Bay, Stewart Island, on the 20th. During the remainder of the month the storm systems were mainly of cyclonic form. On the Bth a shallow cyclone developed in the Bay of Plenty, and deepened rather rapidly through the night. At the same time a rather intense anti-cyclone crossed the southern portion of the South Island. The result was that strong southerly or southeasterly winds suddenly set in and rose to gale force in places, especially in Cook Strait. Temperatures fell sharply, bringing on an unusually cold spell for the season of the year. Rain was almost general, with i inny heavy falls, between the Bth and the IDh, especially on the Sth and 9th, the eastern districts receiving the highest totals. On the night of the Bth snow fell on the mountain tops of the South Island, and hail was recorded at places. Another cyclone approached New Zealand on the x4th, and passed through Cook Strait on the 15th. Except in the far north and the southwest there was again general and heavy rain. The falls were particularly heavy in Canterbury, where there was much flooding in the Ashburton County. The floods were the heaviest known. Almost general rains, with many neavy falls, especially in the South Island, were again experienced on the 27th and 28th, when the cyclone moved across Canterbury. Thunderstorms were rather numerous during the month.

RAINFALL FOR JANUARY. 1930

NORTH ISLAND.

SOUTH ISLAND

o C 14 station > j' 3 2s £§ a. a Hi nl 1— Kaltaia 2— Russell in. 2.19 in. 0.97 in. 3.3« 3 —Auckland 4 — Tauranga 5— Talrua 6— Kawhia 7 — Maraehako 8.40 2.86 7.13 3.93 3.90 1.S0 6.10 4.08 4.34 4.35 3.52 Opotiki 8— Hamilton 9— Taupo .. , ’ 10— Gisborne 11— New Plymouth 3.58 4.29 3 11 5.13 2.66 4.57 3.22 1.67 6 87 4.29 3.94 3.71 2.97 12—Whanganiomona 8.52 10.05 13 —1 aihape 4.04 4.40 14 — Napier 15- .. 4.94 5. Hi 1.09 5.09 3.18 16—Wanganui 3.90 4.54 17— .Masterton 18— Foxton 2.91 3.71 4 10 2.69 2.30 19 Karori, Wellington 6.41 3.06 3.31

o 7*. 5 Station. 5 S * 4 .2 20—Collingwood in. 10.75 In. 10. SI in. 6.95 21—Nelson 5.76 3.99 2.88 22—Spring Creek, helm Bien5.35 2.89 2.28 23—Westport 4.61 12.83 8.20 24—Tophouse 7.86 11.21 5.14 25—Greymouth 6.84 13.58 9.03 26—Hokitika 6.99 19.75 9.87 27—Gore Bay .. 5.28 1.96 2.71 28—Arthur's Pass 21.40 29.11 9.36 29—Christchurch 5.08 3.40 2.21 30— La tn brook Stu.. Fairlie 5.78 5.10 2.38 31—Okuru, South land West8.17 15.71 12.86 32—Timaru 6.38 2.44 2.30 33 —Oamaru 2 2.i 3.17 2.11 31—Benmore Stn., burn Clear2.95 6.24 2.77 35 —Queenstown 3.69 4.21 2.72 36—Clyde 2.50 1.72 37—Dunedin 4.25 5.94 3 36 38—Invercargill 3.91 s». W > 1 01