WEATHER IN OCTOBER

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 9

WEATHER IN OCTOBER

SPRINGLIKE CONDITIONS. October can be regarded as having been a favourable spring month, the main features of which were the generally mild temperatures and a plentiful rainfall, especially in the last ten days, states the Dominion Meteorologist in his review. The rain in South Canterbury relieved the fear of severe loss through the prolonged dry weather, and by the close of the month crops and pastures had made a good recovery in this district. Over the greater part of the Dominion there was a vigorous growth of vegetation and consequently stock are in splendid condition, and there has been a remarkable increase in dairy production.

The total rainfall was above the average over most of the North Island, but below in the northern part of the Auckland Peninsula and at a few isolated places in the Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Taranaki districts. In the South Island an excess was recorded north of Greymouth and Akaroa, while further south there was a deficiency: The greatest percentage above normal in the North Island occurred at Napier, where it was 88 per cent., and in the South Island at Waiau with 93 per cent, above. In South Canterbury the aggregate was only slightly below or just about the average. Temperatures were nearly everywhere above the average, although the departure was nowhere a great one. In the coastal area between ‘Wellington city and New Plymouth and at Invercargill it was very slightly below. Owing to a considerable amount of dull weather during the latter part of the month sunshine was less than the average in most districts, the only excess being experienced in North Auckland, the East Coast district south from Christchurch and in Southland. The largest total amount recorded was 215 hours at Napier. Tauranga had 211, Masterton 198, Nelson 193 and Christchurch 186 hours.