A HUMID MONTH

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20426, 17 February 1938, Page 14

A HUMID MONTH

WEATHER IN JANUARY BENEFICIAL RAINS January was a very warm and humid month. Though the rain was very ' eavy in some parts > and above the ■ verace in most districts there were - 'mpara!ive!y few wet days, and in the middle of fhr* month there was almost fertnio-ht of brilliantly fine weather "hh little wind. During the latter °rtod some very high temperatures were recorded. As has been cliarac•eristic of this summer, the rain has •nmn at very opportune times, and when it did come was generally heavy, in consequence, there is abundance of pasture in most parts of the country. The wheat crop is turning out much better than seemed likely a few months ago. and most other crops are doing very well. Ftock are in good condition and the milk yield has been well maintained. Lambs, though fattening better Ilian earlier in the season, are still, apparently, somewhat on the light side. The total rainfall for the month was generally above average. This was especially the case in Taranaki. Hawke's Pay. Wellington and Canterbury. Tn North Auckland, the Ray of Plenty area. Nelson and Marlborough the departures from normal were not generally large and excesses and deficits were -mingled. In parts of Southland and south -eastern Otago the month was a dry one. Mean temperatures were 3 to 5 de--recs above normal over the North Island, and mainly from 2 to 3 degrees above over the South Island. In the North Island the only warmer January hitherto recorded was that of 1935. Rut for the one cold spell, which set in from the 23rd to Hie 201 h. the means for the month would have been considerably higher. Many high readings were reported, but the atmosphere was generally too humid for records to be broken. Sunshine was above average over most of the country, some high totals being recorded in the northern part of the North Island, including 284.8 hours at Tauranga and 283.5 at Hamilton East. Southland had an unusually sunny month for that part, Invercargill reporting 230.1 hours. There was slightly less than Ihe average in Canterbury and Westland. Pressure Systems There were only three disturbed periods during the month. The first was from the 4th to sth. A deep westerly depression passed in the south "ii the 4th and a shallow one crossed Hie ceneral portion of the Dominion **n the slh. A somewhat, similar sequence "f events occurred during the fith to the 9th. the second depres- ! sion on this occasion being rather deeper and taking a more southerly • course. Except in the north-eastern i portion of (he North Island these disturbances each brought almost general , rains, with many heavy falls. The ‘ rain was very beneficial after the pro - ceding dry and. warm spell. From Ihe fOth to the 21 st high pres- ' sures and anti-cyclonic conditions prevailed. The weather was almost con- ; l innously Due* and very warm. <*n the ; 22nd a depression was approaching j from the Tasman Sea. In this a vigor- ! us cyclonic centre developed suddenly j on the 23rd and was located to the ! west of Cook Strait until the evening i of the 24th, but the southerly gales | which commenced in the South Island jon the 23rd and. extending north- ! wards, did not finally die out until thp 25th. were more severe and some damage was done by them. This storm caused general rain, which was heavy* everywhere except In parts of Otago and Southland. Particularly heavy falls were recorded in North Canterbury, Wellington. Taranaki and Hawke's Bay. Severe flooding occurred in southern Hawke's Bay. where the falls in the low levels were unprecedented. A number of places had over 9 inches in 24 hours, and at Rissington in three days there were 12.13 inches. Fortunately the rain in the ranges was much lighter, so that the amount of damage done was relatively small. A slight depression caused some scattered rains on the 29th and 30th. particularly in districts with a westerly aspect. Tn some, places the rain was accompanied by thunder, and thunderstorms were generally of frequent occurrence during the month. There are times in most people's lives when they ask themselves the age-Qld question: “Is life worth living?" And if you have never felt like that you should shake hands with yourself for you are very lucky. Low spirits sometimes arise from “ liver," ut more often, perhaps, from worry. In the latter case tohac.co-smoke has often been known to exercise the Demon. Seek the seclusion of your 11 den." make yourself comfortable, load the old briar with Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead), light up. and as you sit there at your ease watching the blue smoke wreaths float upwards they will carry your cares with them —Richard will be himself a sain! There's something so comforting in this beautiful toasted tobacco! “Cut Plug JO" 1 s the old smokers" favourite. but if you prefer a medium blend try Cavendish or Navy Cut No. 3 1 Bulldog'. If you are a cigarette j I smoker " roll your own " with River- i I head Hold or Desert Cold. All these i I brands are equally efficacious as j j worry-dispellers, and being toasted ! I they are safe no matter how freely j ! vou may indulge.