WEATHER IN 1938

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20694, 3 January 1939, Page 9

WEATHER IN 1938

HAMILTON RAINFALL

HOT IN EARLY MONTHS MILD WINTER CONDITIONS Long spells of almost tropical heat during the summer and early autumn but an absence of severe conditions in the winter were the features of the weather experienced in the Waikato In 1938. On few occasions within memory has the thermometer remained at such a consistently high level during January. February and March while the winter months did not approach in severity conditions usually expected in the Waikato. Abnormal rainfall for December was experienced. Only by two heavy falls of rain at critical periods in January was a serious drought averted and though conditions were again extremely hot in February the 7Sin. of rain recorded In that month ofTset the parching effects of prolonged spells of scorching heat. The total rainfall for February was more than twice the average figure and represented one of the heaviest recordings for the month. A direct contrast was provided In March when the total rainfall was only ,4fin. The weather was again very warm in April when for the first time for several years no frosts were recorded. However there was the substantial fall of s.ofiin. to compensate for this and a prolongation of conditions almost like mid-summer did not have a serious effect on pastures. First Frost In May The first frost of the year occurred in May but this month yielded neither the frequency nor severity in frosts that is usual for the Waikato, there being onlv five recordings of which the highest was 8 deg. During the other recognised winter months, June and July, the weather continued mild although heavy rain fell at regular intervals and seldom have W aikato pastures been in such a wet condition. In low-lying areas land was completely covered with water for weeks at a time. A particularly late spring soon gave place to summer conditions early in November though last month was one of the wettest Novembers on record, 7.20in. being recorded, compared with the average of 4.09in. In December up to to-day the, total fall of rain in Hamilton was 6.76in, the highest for 14 years. Tor the year an abnormally large rainfall of 59.01in. was recorded compared with the average of 46.32in. Table of Frost*

In the following table of frosts it will be seen how mild the winter months in the Waikato were this year. 1936 1937 1938 March 3 — 16 4 5 J!.n y e :::::::: 17 8 8 10 Aujhist 10 12 10 September .. .. 67 43 31 Rainfall Figures The wide fluctuations during many months of 1938 compared with the average rainfall lowing table:— are shown in the follebes Aver. Inches 3.12 3.10 .42 3.40 4.13 4.63 5.19 4.83 3.96 September .... 3.S8 October 4.09 Yearly total 59.31 46.32