LAST YEAR’S WEATHER

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2432, 3 January 1931, Page 5

LAST YEAR’S WEATHER

AN AVERAGE RAINFALL. OVER FIFTY FROSTS. The weather for 1930 was most unsettled in Cambridge.'. Each of the various seasons was late in its appearance—a factor which affected the farming community to some extent. The year started with an exceptional .rainfall, s.9oins.- being recorded for January. This was the highest rainfall for any month during the year. This reading however was well behind the Auckland one of B.4oins. The total rainfall for the year experienced locally was 37.92in5., falling on 146 days. This did not reach the record for the previous year' which stood at 48.26in5., falling on 160 days, nqr yet that of 1928, 35.99ins. on 144 days. Although the year was of an unsettled nature the rainfall proved lower than it has been for the past eight years, for which period the average fall has worked out at 48.55in5. The distribution of the rain over the year was: —January, 5.95in5., 15 days; February, 2.47in5., 12 days; March, I.Sains., 4 days; April, 1.75in5., 9 days; May, 2.27in5., 'll days; June, 3.19in5., 12 days; July, 3.38in5., 14 days; August, 3.50in5., 17 days; September, 3.9 - ins., 15 days; October, 4.85in5., 18 days; November, 3.75in5., 14 days; December, .89ins., 5 days. Total; 37.92in5., on 146 days. Frosts totalling 5S were experienced during the year, the majority being of a rather heavy nature. The maximum wasi 13.7 degrees. Sunshine. Cambridge had an abundant amount of sunshine for the year, with 2224 hours 17 minutes, or an average per month of 186 hours 21 minutes 25 seconds. This shows that Cambridge ranks among the sunniest parts of New Zealand. The figures for other centres for 1930 are not yet available, but for the year 1929 Auckland city’s sunshine record totalled 1954 hours, or nearly 300 hours less than Cambridge enjoyed last year. Wind. The period was windier than the average for a number of years. The reading for the twelve months was 28,216 miles—an average of 235 1-3 miles per month. December Weather. December has been one of the most pleasant months experienced for quite some time. The rainfall of .89in. was lower than has been experienced for at least eight years. The average' for eight years has been 3-OOins. December 1930 saw only five days rain. The maximum fall of Alin, -was on the 15th. December was favoured with an exceptional amount of sunshine—2sohrs. 24mins. The maximum of 13hrs. 36min. was experienced on the 18th. Each of the 31 days a recording was made.

More wind than usual was felt iu December, when a total of 2428 miles was run. The maximum of 163 miles was on the 18th. The mean maximum temperature was 74.3 deg. and the mean' minimum 49.9 deg. Saturday, the 27th, was the hottest day when the reading was 88.2 deg. Light showers of rain fell in Cambridge yesterday, the fall for the 24 hours up to 9 a.m. to-day being ,23in., or less than a quarter of an inch. The rain will refresh the pastures, but a much heavier fall wpuld be welcomed by farmers and gardeners.