1930 THE COLDEST YEAR ON RECORD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19241, 1 December 1930, Page 16

1930 THE COLDEST YEAR ON RECORD.

RAINFALL TO DATE IS 2 INCHES BELOW NORMAL

Following is a summary of the meteorological observations taken daily at 9.30 a.m. during November at the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory. The figures given for mean temperatures do not include the readings for the last day, which was not completed when these tables were prepared. At the most any change caused by their inclusion will, almost certainly under the circumstances obtaining, produce very slight increases in the figures concerned. Barometer. In. Mean for month 29.694 Highest reading, 28th 30.522 Lowest reading, 23rd 29.111 Range 1.411 Temperatures in Shade. Deg. F. Approximate mean for month .. 53.3 Highest temperature, 30th 75.3 Lowest temperature, 24th ...... 35.1 Mean Maximum 616 Mean minimum 4.4.7 Exposed Thermometers. Dcg.P Mean maximum in sun 127 Highest reading, 15th 152 Mean minimum on grass 35.9 Lowest reading, 17th 25.1 Moisture. In. Total rainfall 1.180 Number of day rain recorded .. 9 Heaviest fall, 23rd 0.57 Mean amount of cloud (0-10) .. 7.0 The average temperature for November was 55.9 deg. F., and for the year is 53.3 deg. F. The average rainfall for November was I.7Slin, and for the year is l.lSOin. There were’ eight ground frosts, none severe, though one or two brought plums off trees before they could set, and did other minor damage to vegetation. Growth is backward through lack of rain, sunshine and warmth. The rainfall to date this yeai is about 2in below normal. Every month so far this year has had a temperature below the average. Such a series of months with temperatures below normal is striking. Actual ly the series commenced at the middk of last year, if one discounts the importance of October, 1929, which had practically normal temperature—that month is the sole exception. Naturally the question arises, “ has such a thing occurred here before?” Mr H. F. Baird, assistant director of the Magnetic Observatory, states that he has investigated all figures since 1905 for the period January-November, both inclusive. For the period covered by those records, 1930 is the coldest. Other cold years for the period concerned were 1905 and 1912.