THE WEATHER

Southland Times, Issue 22218, 10 January 1934, Page 6

THE WEATHER

MONTH OF DECEMBER. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, January 9. The Dominion Meteorologist has issued the following notes on the weather for December:— The first half of December was very dry and warm, many parts of the country having no rain at all. In Marlborough, especially, and to only a slightly less extent in Nelson, the situation prior to the 17th was very serious, and although some good rains fell thereafter, they were too late to save large areas of crops. Pastures are generally in the dry condition usual about a month later in summer. Canterbury had better rains than most districts, and though the wheat yield will be lighter than last year, an ample growth of pasture seems assured. Generally speaking, milk yields have fallen off somewhat owing to the absence of green growth, but otherwise there is no lack of feed at present and stock are in good condition. Lambs are going early to the freezers, but in some parts of the South Island, especially, are small. Haymaking and shearing have been carried out under favourable circumstances. The hot and dry weather was accompanied by some strong winds, while the cold, stormy conditions occurring during the rains did an amount of damage which is difficult to determine. The season, therefore, has been by no means ideal for crops. Rainfall.

There were some heavy falls in eastern districts of the North Island on the list, but otherwise it was extremely dry until the 16th. From then onwards stormy and wet weather prevailed, and the situation was considerably improved. Over most of the North Island, however, the total rain for the month was much below average. There were some exceptions in South Taranaki, Hawkes Bay and the East Cape districts. In the South Island there was still a deficit r.t the end of the month in northern Nelson and Marlborough and in southern coastal districts. In Canterbury, Westland, and much of the interior of Otago, on the other hand, the noxmal was exceeded, and the soil is in a satisfactory condition.

The month opened with high pressure over New Zealand, but a series of small cyclones passing to the east of the Dominion on a south-easterly course was responsible fox - the prevalence of southerly winds and cool temperatures during the first day or two. Between the sth and 7th a shallow westerly depression passed, but produced very little rain. Following another- spell of high pressure, there was a second shallow depression on the 10th, but again scarcely any rain resulted. The third depression, however, which dominated the weather between the 15th and 18th, was much more vigorous. It produced practically general rains with many heavy falls, and marked the end of the drought. In Westland the rain was very heavy and some flooding occurred. There were several washouts on roads and railways. The next storm was experienced between the 21st and 24th. It became very deep after crossing New Zealand, and was followed by strong southerlies which were responsible for a cold Christmas, conditions in the South Island being almost wintry. Rain was widespread.and hailstorms did some damage, especially in the South Island. Heavy snowfalls occurred on the mountains. . Banks Peninsula received a white coating, and even in Christchurch there were some snow showers. The fifth and last storm raged from the 27 th to 30th. . It again became, very deep after passing to the eastward, and the southerlies which resulted far surpassed those of its predecessor in severity. The gale commenced in the south on the 28th and did not die out over the North Island until the night of the 30th. In many places it rose to a whole gale, being one of the worst southerlies experienced for many years. Once more there were heavy snowfalls down to low levels on the mountains and numerous hailstorms. Heavy rain fell at many places. Much damage was done to fruit and crops and vegetation generally by the cold, the hailstones and the persistent gales. Thunderstorms accompanied each of the . last three storms, but were most violent and widespread on the 24th and 28th. On December- 4, a small tornado arising as a waterspout over the sea, struck a portion of New Plymouth and partially wrecked one or two buildings. Two other waterspouts were seen near Patea on the 28th.