SEPTEMBER WEATHER

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19702, 9 October 1935, Page 12

SEPTEMBER WEATHER

METEOROLOGIST’S REPORT

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

The Dominion Meteorologist provides the following notes on tho weather for September: —■ After a comparatively mild winter and indications of an early spring in the preceding month, the weather in September, at least, during Hie lnM half, reverted to a cold and ratliei stormy type in most districts. Low •temperatures on account of cold •southerly or easterly winds prc\ailing, as well as extreme dryness in •many parts, had the effect of retailing growth of vegetation. In ihe western and southern areas of Ihe South Island conditions were particularly dry and farmers have had to face a serious shortage ol' feed, with ihe result that there has been some loss of stock. There was also 'considerable mortality amongst lambs in the Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and -Marlborough provinces owing lo the cold, wet spells experienced. In most parts of the country, however, owing to a favourable winter, stock kept in good condition- In North Canterbury and Marlborough some heavy rains on the 9th relieved the situation, which had become serious owing to a prolonged period of dryness. South Canterbury did not benefit to Hie same extent, and good rains arc badly needed in that district.

Tho Rainfall,

Tho rainfall was very much above tho average in the northern portion of the Auckland Peninsula, some places liaving more than double. At Russell 12.-12 inches were recorded 'against the average for September of 3.89 inches. The eastern districts of the North Island south of East Cape also had a considerable excess, but the remainder of the North Island received less than the normal falls. In the South Island, Marlborough was the only district where more than the usual amount fell. In North Canterbury the totals closely approached the average, but all other districts experienced a very dry month, the deficiencies being greatest on the West Coast.

Temperatures were everywhere below tho average. In the North Island the mean difference was 1.9 degrees below, the climatological station showing the greatest difference being Wellington, where it was lower by 3.1 degrees. The South Island mean was 3.3 degrees below, Hanmer Springs and Timaru having the greatest departures with 5.2 degrees and 4.0 degrees, respectively. These low mean temperatures, as before mentioned, are accounted for by the prevalence of southerly and easterly winds. Frosts, also, were frequent in the South'island and at inland places in the North.

There was less sunshine than the normal in the far northern and cast coast districts of the North Island, but in most parts of the country the average amount was exceeded. The •greatest difference above was on the west coast of the South Island, where it was the sunniest September ever experienced. From the reports so far received Hokitika had Ihe highest total, viz., 25i.'9 hours, while Nelson had 239.9 and Lake Tckapo 233.0 hours. Pressure Systems. In the beginning of the month an anti-cyclone covered New Zealand, but the centre was situated in the south while a cyclone was passing in the north. Consequently, a cold southeasterly wind blew up the east coast, accompanied by rain and hail squalls in the area between 'Banks Peninsula and East Cape. Snow also foil on much of tho high country on the Ist, parts of inland Hawke’s Bay experiencing a particularly heavy fall. Some of tho tow country in the Wairarapa also had snow at this lime. Conditions about Hook Strait, were extremely unpleasant, Knrori and oilier parts of Wellington City having one of the heaviest falls of bail in recent years. Over (ho greater porlion of the Dominion, however, fine weather prevailed, although temperatures were cold everywhere. Scattered rain conlinued lo fall in

the northern and east coast parts of the -North Island until the sth, but by the Gth the northern depression had practically tilled up and on the latter day the weather was tine generally with milder temperatures. On the morning of the 7th another cyclone, ■which had closely followed the track of the former, was situated just west of the Auckland Peninsula and rain developed in the Auckland province, some heavy falls and thunderstorms occurring on the Sth. During the afternoon a tornado swept inland at Northcotc and considerably damaged some pleasure craft. A slight depression in the south, at the same time, brought, rain also to far southern parts, hut the weather was mild and pleasant over most of the. Dominion. During (lie night of the Sth. however,

Hie northern depression became more intense and by the Oth had completely enveloped the Dominion, its centre then being north of Hook Strait. Rain became widespread with many Heavy falls, and soulherly winds strengthened. In Hu' night the centre moved In a position east of 'Hook Strait and Hie southerly wind rose to strong gale force in many places, especially along the cast coast and about Hook Strait-

The rainfall associated with this disturbance was particularly heavy in | the North Canterbury and Kaikoura i districts where considerable Hooding : occurred in places. Waiau had over six inches in the 2-1 hours preceding ; 9 a.in. on the 10th. Many of the j ranges in both Islands received a : coating of snow, the fall being a very heavy one in the Tongariro National Park'.

The above-mentioned storm had passed away eastwards by the 11th, tint pressure remained relatively low to Ihe north-east and cast of New Zealand, while an anti-cyclone extended from I lie westward on to the southern districts. Consequently, strong southerly winds continued to blow up ihe east coast as far as East Cape, accompanied by frequent showers in coastal areas. Over the rest of [lie Dominion, however, and especially in western districts, although temperatures remained cold, the weather for the most part was fine on the lith and 12th. The anti-cyclone had spread over ihe whole Dominion by the 13th and under its influence tine, pleasant woollier prevailed generally until tho 15 th. Another Depression. The next depression was once again a cyclone which, on the morning of Hie 15lb, was centred north-west of Gape Maria van Diemen, bringing rain to North Auckland. It intensified and extended southwards during the night of the 15lh, and consequently widespread rain fell in the North Island, many heavy downpours occurring, culminating in Hoods in North Auckland, and also in Ihe Wairarapa on the ICdh. Strong north-cast winds blew at this time in North Auckland and south-easterlies about Cook Strait, but in the South Island winds remained tight to moderate and 'mainly from some easterly quarter. The centre of the storm was situated off East Capo on the morning of the 17th, but its worst effects had by then •ceased owing to the modifying influence of a depression of the westerly type approaching across the Tasman Sea. The resulting improvement on the 17th, however, was of brief duration, for -in the night' the new depression advanced on lo the Dominion and proved an extremely intense one. A renewal of unsettled conditions rapidly took place, with rain in most districts and heavy falls in parts of the western. On the 18th strong north-westerly winds blew, but rainfall was confined ■chiefly to the west coast districts. During the night a tornado swept overpaid of the Tikorangi district and extensively damaged a dwelling house and cow-shed, besides causing minor damage to sheds, fences, and power poles. •From the 19lli there followed a period of fine weather while an anticyclone was moving over the Dominion. The taller intensified considerably on Ihe 23rd, Hie centre then being located east of the South Island, but a shallow cyclone located between Norfolk Island and Gape Maria van Diemen brought strong northeasterly winds and scattered rain to the Auckland province during the night, of Ihe 23rd and on the 2ith. In •North Auckland llio falls were very heavy and were again responsible for some" flooding. For instance, Kaitaia had as much as 5.28 inches on the 2-5 til.

On the morning of the 2Gth a tornado passed over part of Tc Aroha, unrooting a large limber mill shed. The northern cyclone gradually filled up, while the anti-cyclone over and east of the Dominion intensified still further, and under its influence most parts of the Dominion experienced fine pleasant weather until the close of the •month. There was, however, considerable cloud in eastern • areas and occasional light rain at isolated places. On Ihe last day of the month a westerly depression was approaching the South Island and rain fell in 'Westland.