HOTTEST DAY FOR 13 YEARS

Southland Times, Issue 23443, 25 February 1938, Page 6

HOTTEST DAY FOR 13 YEARS

YESTERDAY’S HEAT IN INVERCARGILL SHADE TEMPERATURE 86 DEGREES Invercargill sweltered yesterday in the greatest heat recorded in the city for 13 years. The shade temperature, after having been consistently high tl / jughout most of the month, yesterday reached 86 degrees, a level passed probably only once in the history of the city. “This is the highest temperature that has been recorded since 1925,” stated Mr J. L. Lennie, Government weather recorder, when referring to the record temperature. “With that exception,” he said, “it is probably the highest ever recorded in Invercargill. The maximum heat time would appear to have been between one and two o’clock.” Mr Lennie added that the highest temperature in February 1937 was 77 degrees and this compared very poorly with this month’s record. That was only to be expected, however, because of the exceptionally wet summer last year. February 1936 was a more normal month and the highest temperature then was 81 degrees. Yesterday’s solar temperature was only 122 degrees, but this was not surprising as there was little bright sunshine.

Only 1.56 Inches of rain has fallen so far this month compared with more than five inches up to February 24 last year. The heaviest fall this month was ,98in on February 14. The total rainfall for this year to date is 5.29 in. Unless the province receives a good soaking in the next week or two the position will become serious. MONTH’S HEAT February has been an exceptionally hot month and in the last fortnight the temperature has reached 80 degrees on five occasions and on only four days has it fallen below 70 degrees. Fluctuations have been frequent, however, and from a height of 80 degrees on February 13 the temperature dropped to 59 degrees on the following day—a fall of 21 degrees. Yesterday was one of the most trying days in the city for many years, and it was not improved by the accompanying north-west wind. Workers in offices and factories found the heat most unpleasant and concentration was difficult. Coats had to be discarded, sleeves rolled up windows thrown wide open. Those persons operating machines were in a worse position and suffered considerably from the intense heat. The past two or three weeks have brought little relief to parched gardens and in many homes plants are drooping badly. Lawns are also showing the effect of the prolonged period of dry weather. A heavy shower of rain is eagerly awaited to replenish tanks and to bring relief to the gardens. 92 DEGREES AT GORE The maximum temperature in the shade on Wednesday in Gore was 92 degrees. This is the highest the temperature has been since December 1934. This summer has been unusually warm at Gore and high temperatures have been registered quite frequently. On four occasions 91 degrees have been registered this month and on five occasions this summer. The highest reading since records have been taken at Gore is 95.5 degrees about 20 years ago. Since then the temperature has occasionally been as high as 94 and 93. The sky was overcast for the greater part of yesterday, but the weather was extremely sultry and 87 degrees were recorded.