WEATHER DURING AUGUST

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1934, Page 2

WEATHER DURING AUGUST

COLD SNAPS AND SNOWFALLS. REVIEW FOR THE DOMINION. o There were two sharp cold snaps in August each associated with widespread snowfalls, the first shortly before the middle and the second before the end of the month, says the report of the Dominion meteorologist (Dr. E. Kidson). The second was the more severe owing, especially, to the southerly gale that accompanied it. The remainder of the month was mild and spring-like and mean temperatures were in general somewhat above normal. There was a good deal of showery weather, and the amount of sunshine was less than usual. Rainfall was generally above the average in the South Island, but below it in the North Island.

Though in some districts there were heavy losses during the cold spell towards the end of the month, the lambing season was proceeding favourably. Pasture was plentiful for the time of year and stock was reported to be in very good condition. In Canterbury the wetness of the soil had prevented the sowing of wheat crops over large areas and the work on other crops was behindhand. Signs of spring in bird and plant life were numerous, and white butterflies were already appearing in large numbers. Tire month was dry over most of the North Island, the eastern districts, from the Wairarapa to East Cape, particularly receiving much less than the average fall. Parts of North Taranaki, the Bay of Plenty, and an area round Wellington, however, had some very heavy falls. In the South Island, most districts experienced a very wet month, but in Southland and the eastern portions of Otago and South Canterbury, isolated areas recorded less than the average fall. At a few places on the east coast the mean temperature was slightly below normal, but over the rest of the country the normal was exceeded. The departures from the normal were generally slight, but in parts of the South Island amounted to ovei- one degree. Frosts were fairly numerous, and occasionally severe, but there were some very mild days. The amount of bright sunshine fell considerably below the average for August. Napier, with 188.7 hours, and Invercargill were the only places where the normal was exceeded. There were only three storms of any severity. A shallow depression that crossed the Dominion during August 5 and 6 caused considerable rain, especially in the far north and north-east, where there was some flooding, but no very stormy weather occurred. The disturbance was rejuvenated when it was to the eastward and there was an outpouring of cold air from the south over New Zealand. Snow was widespread on August 9, though it did not lie long at low levels. The weather became very cold and severe frosts followed on August 10 and 11. On August 10 a severe thunderstorm at Warkworth was accompanied by the precipitation of enormous quantities of hail. A second depression, which had a considerable extension in a north to south direction, Avas responsible for northerly gales on August 15 and 16 and heavy rain fell in places. Snow was reported in places on August 17 after the depression had passed. The worst weather during the month resulted from a cyclonic depression moving in a south-easterly direction across the Dominion on August 22 and 23. It was responsible for general rain, with many heavy falls. After it had passed on August 24 and 25 a southerly gale extended over most of the country. Heavy snowfalls occurred on all the high levels. Frequent hailstorms were experienced in many places. Severe frosts followed until August 27, but afterwards until the end of the month the weather was mainly fine and mild.