WEATHER FOR MARCH.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12617, 9 April 1934, Page 3

WEATHER FOR MARCH.

A VERY DRY MONTH

Electric Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, April 7.

The Dominion Meteorologist reports as follows on tht* weather records for March : General : In much the greater part of the North Island, March was very dry. In the South Island conditions were mo-re varied .and a most important feature was the breaking of the drought in Nelson and Marlborough by the heavy rains of the 27th. Temperatures were considerably below normal, but this was not altogether an. unfavourable circumstance since in combination with a general absence of strong winds it tended to mitigate th.effects of the lack of rainfall, especially in the middle of the month. In fuost districts there is abundant pasture of good quality, but in the Waikato and parts of Taranaki rain is needed to produce a good growth before winter. In Nelson and Marlborough. also, there has not yet been much recovery following the drought. Stock are almost everywhere reported to be in good condition ; the milk yield has been well maintained, and crops genera llv are good. The apple crop in Nelson is, however, rather light owing to the absence of soil moisture.

Rainfall: The only considerable area of the North Island which had more than the average rainfall included most of western Wellington south of Wanganui and extended to the northern Wairarapa. Over the rest of the Island the totals averaged only about half the normal, and the central and north-eastern districts recorded a particularly dry month. In tie South Island, an area in North Canterbury and South Marlborough had double the usual fall for March. Westport, also, had a heavy fall. Elsewhere, conditions varied considerably, but excesses were rather less numerous than deficits.

Temperatures: The month was a distinctly cold one. At most places the mean temperature was between one degree and two degrees below normal. The west coast of the South Island had relatively milder conditions than the remainder of the Dominion. A few frosts were recorded but, on the whole, the cold spells, though lengthy, were not severe.

Sunshine; hi eastern districts of the South Island from Canterbury southwards, cloudy and humid conditions prevailed, and sunshine was much below normal. Elsewhere, totals were generally either equal to or better than average. Nelson had 248.6, Napier 221.5, Taupo 221.2. New Plymouth 219.7 and Blenheim 219.1 hours.

Pressure systems: The storm systems experienced during the month were rather too complicated to describe in detail. A marked characteristic of the general situation was the disturbed conditions which prevailed in the tropics. Damage was done by cyclones in Australia on both the north-west and the Queensland coasts, while several less violent storms occurred in the area to the east of Australia, Associated with these conditions were a number of intense and widespreading anticyclones which occurred in New Zealand latitudes. In several the pressure at the centre exceeded 30.5 inches, and the mean pressure for the month was considerably above normal. On the Ist, a shallow cyclone was located 'west of the Auckland Peninsula. This crossed the Peninsula during the night and was followed closely by a depression which had a cyclonic centre in its southern portion where it passed lover Otago. Almost general rains resulted, with thunderstorms in places. A westerly depression passing quickly between the sth and 7th was responsible for some very stormy weather. Thunderstorms were widespread on the night of the 7th and in Canterbury there were some severe hailstorms. Snow fell on the ranges, the falls on Mt. Egmont and at the National Park being unusually heavy. Another- rapidly moving westerly depression was responsible for some heavy rains in western districts, of the South Island on the 12th. There was some hail, also, in the far South. The most important storm was cyclonic in form and moved slowly through Cook Strait between the 26th and 28th. General rains were recorded with many heavy falls, especially in the central portions of the Dominion. Between one and two inches we ret recorde.l in the areas of Nelson and Marlborough, where drought had previously prevailed. Particularly heavy falls * occurred in parts ol North Canterbury and tlie Ivaikoura districts, where rivers and creeks were in high flood. This and that of the 'Ehid were the only general rains.