COLDEST JUNE FOR YEARS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1930, Page 16

COLDEST JUNE FOR YEARS

LESS RAIN IN MOST DISTRICTS. FREQUENCE OF SOUTHERLY GALES By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last. Night. The weather report issued by Dr. Kidson, director of meteorological services, states June was the coldest for a number of years. Though the weather was at times stormy and showery conditions prevailed at many places, the rainfall generally was much below normal and there was a largo, amount of sunshine. Rainfalls in excess of the average were-experienced in North Auckland ami about Foveaux Strait. At Tauranga, also, largely owing to a fail of G.4.’> inches on June 20, there was excess. In all other parts there was a considerable deficit. This was most accentuated in Nelson, Marlborough and the interior of the South Island, where much of the weather was beautifully fine. At Nelson it was the driest June on record. The cold weather was accounted for by the marked prevalence of southerly winds during the month. Temperatures were from 1 deg. F. to 2.5 deg below normal, and frosts were everywhere very numerous, often severe. Vegetation made little growth, and winter feeding of stock had been resorted to in many cases. Owing to. the abundance of rough autumn feed and good reserves of hay and ensilage, stock were mostly in good condition. In parts of the Waikato some growth of grass was recorded, and prospects were very favourable. On the whole, however, winter growth had been poor and the rainfall deficient, so some warm spring rains would be needed. The month began with a vigorous cyclone operating oir the coast of New South Wales, where severe floods had been caused by continued heavy rains. This main cyclone lost its energy to a large extent before reaching New Zealand and, passing north of the Dominion on the night of June 3, affected the ..eather comparatively little. Easterly gales blew north of Auckland and shortlived southerlies in Cook Strait. This storm was followed by a series of similar ones which lasted until June 7. They all took a northward track, and except to produce southerly winds and cold weather, continued to have little influence on the South Island. Heavy rains were recorded between June 3 and June 5 in North Auckland; the Puhipuhi plantation had 13.73 incres during this period, of which 6.35 inches fell on June 4. On June 8 another depression of cyclonic form appeared in the Tasman Sea, and deepening considerably during the next two days, crossed the North Island from Cape Egmont to Napier on June 10. Rain was fairly general, and there were some heavy falls, particularly in Taranaki and the northern and northwestern portions of the South Island. There were westerly gales in North Auckland on June 10. During the passage of the centre and on the following day southerly gales were widespread. ■ Pressure became very high over the. Tasman Sea following. the passage of the cyclone, while it remained low to the east of New Zealand. Strong southerly winds , continued in consequence until June 14, with bitterly cold weather. The gale on June 11 was severe and slight damage was done. The ferry steamers between and Lyttelton experienced delays. Snow fell on high country as far north as East Cape, while in Canterbury and Otago it extended to parts of the lowlands. Mount Egmont had the heaviest snowfall for years. Hail and sleet were recorded at many places. The third period of stormy weather occurred from June 20 to June 25. A depression which crossed the Dominion on June 20 again assumed cyclonic form. Rains were practically general over the North Island, but more scattered in the south. Particularly heavy falls were recorded in the Auckland province, the majority being over two inches. The highest registration was 7.00 inches at Okere Falls, near Rotorua, but Tauranga received 6.40 inches and Waihi 5.14 inches. There were boisterous westerly winds also in Auckland, Thames and East Cape districts on June 20, slight damage being done. Another spell of strong southerly winds and cold temperatures followed. The 21st was a particularly bitter day, especially in Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Heavy falls of snow occurred almost everywhere in these provinces, while there were frequent showers of hail or sleet. Snow and hail continued to be experienced in the south at intervals until June 25. The conditions appear to have been most severe in districts round Gore. A severe thunderstorm occurred in Foveaux Strait during June 25, when Dog Island lighthouse was struck. It was not until June 26 that the southerlies died down in the Foveaux Strait region. Although there was an unusual frequency of hail and snow storms during the month the accumulation of snow on the ranges does not appear to have been heavy except at a few places.