LOW RAINFALL YEARS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18594, 3 January 1935, Page 8

LOW RAINFALL YEARS

SIXTH BELOW AVERAGE

INTER I-’STI XG POSTTION

Last year was the sixth in succession in which the Gisborne rainfall has been below the average, which is 45.15 m.. and in this fact is seen a most interesting position. Never before in the period of 56 years in which rainfall records have been kepi in Gisborne, has there been a greater length of linn* daring whielt the annual totals have been below the average. Pour successive 'years was the previous record in this respect, this occurring from 1819 to 1922 and Iran 1912 to 1915. However, it is impossible to say with any certainty which year will he "el and which will he dry. Tim law ol averages docs not help, if there is any sii.ii law in regard to the weather. A graph kept' in i lie Ucrr.hl oliiee is prnul of that. The nearest atlempi at maki,, .. al:v such calciilalion shows that a major jlood cycle occurs every 16 '• cals, or thcwcaliouis. It is IS years suite ( lishorne had a particularly wet- or flood year. Thai was in 1917, when to. 44 m. fell. The graph also shows that minor rain cycles occur approx i

nialely every four to years. to bo; no’s average bus not been excoiLiou sincr 1928. v. hen oO coin. led. Ihe drought cycle was sch down as every eight veals ; yd it is only Idol since the record low raiulall was nearly reached, aim! her Mich, ,\ •ar neeurnii;;' last, year, when the total was. only 28.58 in., compared wiili 2d. Horn, m IIV.t and 25.'10in. in 1915. which has Hie lowest rainfall on record in Gis borne.

'The low vandal! ol Ihe pa d six year has been abnormal, and provided inr idler proof m I he. impossibility <>l try her |o make a law c>i a vcrig. s for 11 1

weather. .11 would sc.ru thal Idle districl was due for a wd- period this year. Cut who rail tel!.' ’1 in weather records do not help.