THE WEATHER IN ASHBURTON COUNTY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7623, 5 February 1903, Page 3

THE WEATHER IN ASHBURTON COUNTY.

» Mr W. W. Smith, of the Ashburton Domain, reports that during January there were only eleven seasonable autumn days, the remainder being more or less cold, Avith strong Avinds and heavy rainstorms. The barometer frequently £ose or fell rapidly, indicating sudden changes and cold, unseasonable Aveather. Tho winds were very unsettled, and on some days veered' round " the compass in a few hours. Rain fell on fourteen days, the highest 1.041 in, an the 25th ; the lowest, I.OOJin, on the 29th ; tot-rf; 3.018 in. The radiometer registered 132deg, the highest in the sun on the 14th ; the loAvest, 60deg, on the 25th. The highest in the shade, 72deg, Avas recorded on two days ; the loAvest, 31deg (ldeg frost), on the 28th. The terrestrial thermometer daily registered 9dcg below normal autumn heat of former years, except during last -season. There Avas one day Avithout sunshine, five days Avith clear sunshine, while the remaining twenty-five were more or less cloudy and overcast. y From Mount Somers^Mr A. E. Peache reports that rain fell on twenty-one days, including all the last nine days of the month. Total rainfall, 3.77 in, against an average of 4.43 in for the last ten years. Most in one day of twenty-four hours on the 25th, Avhen l.lOin fell. The temperature has been very low on the whole, though there have been a few very hot days. There have been a few hailstorms, but very little damage has been done by them. Shearing is still unfinished in the back country, and a spell of dry, fine weather is badly w-antcd by all. Mr Peaches station. is high up the Ashburton River, amongst tho hills. Mr John Lambie, Avhose- land is at Kyle, on the sea-shore, about six miles southward from the Rakaia, River mouth, reports that the total rainfall registered at Kyle for the month of January Avas 3.20 in, the greatest fall being on the. 26th, Avhen 1.30 in was recorded. On the following day a terrific gale and hailstorm Avas experienced, but the rainfall on this occasion only registered 0.50 in. TJie Aveather during the month has been A 7 ery changeable, and unfavourable for harvest operations. Mr Herring, Alford Station, reports: — The rainfall for January Avas as follows : — Alford Forest 5.56 in, Alford Station 3.88 in.