THE WEATHER.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 4, 15 April 1913, Page 442

THE WEATHER.

DISTRICT NOTES DURING MARCH.

D. C. Bates.

District. Chiefly from Telegraphic Reports. . . or.: 1. The weather was generally fine and warm, with bright sunshine in excess of the average and rainfall below, especially in the northernmost portion, where the percentage below ranged from 60 to 80 per cent. In the southern half the total fall was about 20 per cent, less than the average. 2,4, 9. The departure from the normal rainfall varied greatly in these districtsviz., from slightly below to 50 per cent, in excess; but generally the difference was a positive one. Fair weather predominated, but cloudy and misty conditions were frequent. Heavy rain fell on the 12th, and in parts on the 28th and 29th, but usually precipitation was in the nature of showers. 3,5, 6. About 28 per cent, below the usual March rainfall. Moderate and' variable breezes prevailed, with fine weather generally. 7, 8. Warm and dry weather was experienced, the rainfall being less than the average by from 60 to as much as 100 per cent. 10. In the northern half of this district precipitation exceeded the average slightly, but in the south about 20 per cent, less than the average amount was recorded. During the first week fine and clear weather prevailed, but from then to the end of the month dull conditions were much in evidence, and temperatures were appreciably lower towards the close of the month. On the 28th and 29th high northerly winds were, experienced. 11, 12. About the average and slightly less than the average rain fell in these districts. No very heavy falls occurred, but showers were frequent. Very squally conditions were experienced on the 17th and 28th, with northerly winds, but the directions were very variable during the month and much dull and misty weather prevailed. " . 13. In the beginning and end of the month much rain fell, and the total fall was usually double the average. With the exception of the 16th and 17th, fair weather prevailed between the 9th and 20th, but. unsettled and wet conditions ruled during the remainder of the month. Some dense fog . occurred on the 12th and 13th. 14. With the exception of a few unsettled and wet days in the middle and at the end of the month weather-conditions were very favourable. Forty-five per cent, below the average rainfall was recorded. 15, 16. Particularly heavy rain fell in all the high country, especially on the westernslopes,, where over double the average amount was recorded for the month. Following are some of the high-level stations with their total rainfall recorded during the four days from the 26th to the 29th : Otira, 17-17 in. ; Bealey, 6-52 in. ; Bealey Flat, 18-44 in. ; Hermitage, 21-93 in. During this period many of the larger rivers became flooded. 17. Owing to the heavy rains between the 26th and 29th, the total for the month greatly exceeded the average, in some cases by over 100 per. cent. The weather was very changeable ; showers were frequent, especially on tho higher levels.' Some cold nights were experienced, and the first frosts on the 23rd. 18-22. In all these districts the rainfall was below the average, the difference ranging from about 20 to 80 per cent. Continuous, fine weather prevailed between the Ist and 10th, and other shorter periods of similar conditions were experienced during the month. Strong winds, however, were frequent.

District. - . 23. Much showery weather prevailed between the 9th and 17th, and again towards the end of the month, but fair though cold conditions predominated. Precipitation was about 30 per cent, in excess of the average for March. 24, 25. With the exception of a few short periods of fair weather, conditions were generally cold and damp, the rainfall being considerably above the average.

Summary.

Except for a depression which existed off East Cape between the 23rd and 26th, the atmospheric disturbances have been of the westerly low-pressure type, passing to the southward of New Zealand. Of these the most notable one was that which influenced weather-conditions between the 26th and 30th. During this period extremely heavy rains occurred in the high levels of the South Island and in Otago, causing floods in many of the larger rivers. Of the rainfalls at this time it may be interesting to specially note that experienced at the Hermitage. On four days 21-93 in. fell, ahd of this amount 19-10 in. fell on two days—viz., on the 27th and 28th. It may be easily understood what a marked effect on the river-level such an abnormal fall over a wide area would have. While Otago and the central portion of the South Island had an excessive rainfall, in some cases double the average, the east and west coast of the South Island had less than the average. In the North Island the Taranaki and Wanganui districts experienced more than the average, but in the northern and east coast districts nothing more than a few occasional showers were experienced, and the total was considerably below the average for March. In these districts, and also in the east coast of the South Island as far as Timaru, fair and dry conditions ruled, but elsewhere much dull and misty weather prevailed during the month. High northerly winds occurred in and southward of Cook Strait on frequent occasions, particularly on the 17th, 28th, and 29th. The first frosts of the season were reported in the south on the'23rd.