WEATHER FOR JUNE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18615, 10 July 1930, Page 6

WEATHER FOR JUNE.

SNOWSTORMS AND HEAVY RAIN. BUT MOSTLY DRY. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. July 9. A weather report issued by Dr Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, states that June just passed was the coldest for a number of years. Though the weather was at times stormy, and showery conditions prevailed in many places, the rainfall generally was much below normal, and there was a large amount of sunshine. Rainfalls in excess of the average were experienced in North Auckland, and about Foveaux Strait. At Tauranga, also, largely owing to a fall of 6.45 inches on the 20th. there was an excess. In all other parts there was a considerable deficit. This was mo3t accentuated in Nelson and 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 accounted for by a marked prevalence of southerly winds. During the month temperatures were from ldeg. F. to 2.5 deg. F. below normal and frosts were everywhere being very numerous and often severe. Vegetation made little growth, and winter feeding of stock had been resorted to in many cases. Owing to abundance of rough autumn feed and good reserves of hay, ensilage, etc., stock was mostly in good condition. On the whole, winter growth had been poor, and the rainfall deficient, so that some warm spring rain will be badly needed. The month began with a vigorous cyclone operating on 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 Domion on the night of the 3rd affected our weather comparatively little. This storm was followed by a series of similar ones which lasted until the 7th. They all took a northward track, and except to produce southerly winds and cold weather, continued to have little influence on the South Island. On the Bth 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 the 10th. Rain was fairly general, and there were some heavy falls. A gale on the 11th was severe and slight damage was done. The ferry steamers between Wellington and Lyttelton experienced delays. Snow fell on the 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. A third period of stormy weather occurred from the 20th to the 25th. Rains were practically general over the North Island, but more scattered in the south. Particularly heavy falls were recorded in Auckland province. June 21 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 the 25th. The conditions appear to have been most severe in the district around Gore. A severe thunderstorm occourred in Foveaux Strait at 5 a.m. on the 25th, when the Dog Island Lighthouse was struck. It was not until the 26th 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.