THE WEATHER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16986, 9 March 1923, Page 9

THE WEATHER.

CANTERBURY CONDITIONS. Be F. L. WooiiES. Though. February was not so wet a msnth as January nevertheless the monthly rainfall was considerably in excess of the average For the time of the year over the greater part of the province, the up-country districts receiving a greater precipitation than the coastal region. An idea of the rainfall distribution can be gathered from the fact that whereas Christchurch recorded a little over two inches the registration for Kir wee was 2.80 in, Ashburton 3.62 in and Oxford 4.32 in. The greater part of the rainfall occurred during the second half of the month. In contrast to January high winds were experienced on many occa-

sions during the month, being principally from the north-west quarter in the first half and from the south-west in the latter portion. The average temperature for the month was. if anything, slightly below the normal for the time of the year. From the first tr the twelfth very warm weather prevailed. but thereafter a series of cold 'naps . were experienced which more than neutralised the effects of the previous conditions in relation to the average temperatures. An unusual feature of the weather for February was the fact that on tons* occasions between the sixteenth and twenty-third cold south-west squalls were experienced. each visitation bringing a coating of snow to the back country ranges, while on several days light frosts were experienced on the up-country plains. On the ninth and seventeenth heavy thunderstorms prevailed over a great part of the province. In the Oust district on the latter date a heavy fall of hail accompanied the storm, a depth of four inches being recorded. OUTLOOK FOR MARCH. Expect a considerable rainfall. Except for one or two high blows should not be a windy month. Wind direction principally easterly to southerly.