MONTH WITHOUT STORMS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1930, Page 11

MONTH WITHOUT STORMS

SUNSHINE ABOVE NORMAL

RATHER ERRATIC RAINFALL.

APRIL’S REMARKABLE WEATHER. By Telegraph—Press Association Wellington, Last Night. In notes on the weather for April Dr. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, states that April was remarkable for the high proportion of dry, sunny weather, and- the relative absence of storms. There was a prevalence of anticyclonic conditions with southerly winds, consequently, although the amount ■ of sunshine was above normal, the temperature was slightly below, and frosts were rather numerous, especially in the South Island. The rain which fell did not occur in general heavy falls, -but was rather erratically distributed. Much of it came in the last three days of the month, and was too late in most districts to produce much growth of pasture. '

Taranaki and Manawatn districts fared' well, but in parts of the remainder of- the country, and especially Canterbury and Otago, March and April both having been on the whole cool and dry, there is likely to be some shortage of feed during the winter. The total rainfall was above normal in North Auckland, about the East Capo, over the low-lying parts of Taranaki, Wellington, most of Marlborough and about 'Nclsqii. In other parts it was almost everywhere below the average, and in the South Island especially the deficits were large. . : ■ , Throughout the month storms were almost continually developing in subtropical waters to the north of the Tasman Sea and thence eastward to beyond New Zealand. The majority of these failed to affect the Dominion directly to any great extent,.though they assisted. in the production of the prevailing high, pressure and southerly and south-east-erly winds. Though causing fine weather over most of the Dominion, the latter were . responsible for unpleasant and showery weather in North Auckland and north of Napier. REMARKABLY LITTLE WIND. There was remarkably little wind in most (daces during the month, and such gales as occurred were short-lived. Snow fell on the high lands of the South Island on April 9 and 10, 29 and 30, but the amounts were not large, and the mountains are unusually free from snow. There were only three periods when rain was*at all widespread. The first was from April 8 to 11. Between these dates al! parts of the country received rain, and the total registrations were heavy at many places. The rain was due to a cyclone, which appeared near Tasmania on April 5. Pressure being high to the east of New- Zealand and the storm centre moving slowly eastward, it gradually lost its intensity. It crossed the Dominion on April 8, pro--•ducing only light to moderate rains- On April 9, however, a secondary developed west of the South Island and moved across northern Otago. Rain became more general, and there were many heavy falls, especially in the South Island. Some violent thunderstorms were reported. . ■ Exceptionally heavy rain fell on April 9 in the Motueka and Moutere districts and as far inland as Tapawera. At Upper Moutere 8.19 inches was recorded, and the resulting floods were the heaviest ever experienced, the railway bfing damaged in several places and motor traffic interrupted. In the districts about Woodville, Pahiatua and Wai'puknrau also there were several thunderstorms and heavy downpours. Conditions remained disturbed until April 9. On that day a cyclone centre passing north of New' Zealand caused southerly gales in North Auckland. On April 19 a cyclone, which seemed likely to bring good rains to the Dominion, appeared in the north ’'Tasman Sea. Unfortunately it took a northward course and passed between New Zealand and Norfolk Island. On April 20 some rain fell in the northern and western parts of the North Island, the Taranaki, Wanganui and Manalwatu districts experiencing some heavy, falls. -Luckily for Easter holiday makers jiiost. of the rain fell (luring the night. : ; On April 24 another cyclone of considerable intensity developed near Tasmania. Pressure was again high/to the east of New Zealand, and, -as in the beginning of the month, the storm made slow progress towards New Zealand and lost intensity. However, while it was crossing the Dominion on April 28 northerly winds brought very warm and sultry weather,'and conditions became favourable for rain. When a southerly set in on April 29 the depression developed a secondary centre west of the North Island. This crossed the Dominion and finally died out : on April 30. By that time general rains had fallen, with many heavy falls from Nelson and Marlborough northwards. These came for the most part on the night of April 28 ami on April 29, and were accompanied in places by thunderstorms. At Auck- . land the lightning was particularly sey; ere and a house at Rcmuera was struck.