FINE, COOL AND DRY

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21082, 8 April 1940, Page 11

FINE, COOL AND DRY

WEATHER IN MARCH FINE SPELL IN THE SOUTH (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday The weather In March was, on the whole, fine, cool and dry. From the meteorological point of view the - period was quiet and uneventful, with a steady sequence of anticyclones across the New Zealand area. There was little growth in he North Island where, however, feed is still plentiful in most districts. The dry spell is being felt more in the South Island where, from mid-Canterbury southwards, the feed position is rather acute. The drought and insect pests have seriously affected many of the crops of yupplementray feed. Throughout the whole country stock are in excellent condition. The good weather has helped the late harvesters and has not interfered with cultivation. Except in a few small areas rainfall was well below normal. Over the greater part of the Dominion less than 50 per rent of the average was recorded, while many totals were below one inch. In parts of Otago and Southland there was an excess due solely to the heavy rain which commenced on the night of Marcli 31-April 1. The month’s total was above average in the Bay of Islands district because of the heavy fall on the 25th. Apart from the steady drizzle on April 1 and the localised rains just mentioned, most of the precipitation came as passing showers. On the 11th numerous thunderstorms occurred—some were violent and were accompanied by sharp showers of rain and hail. Temperatures Below Normal Temperatures averaged some 2 degrees below normal, the departures being more pronounced in the west. Cool, clear nights were frequent, so that heavy dews and some frosts were experienced, particularly in the south. Frosts, damaging garden plants, were fairly general ever the North Island on the 12th. There was abundant • sunshine, most stations having more than average values. The excess was particularly marked in the south and east of the South Island, where Christchurch and Dunedin had record amounts for March.