Notes on the Weather During 1872.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 5, 1872, Unnumbered Page

Notes on the Weather During 1872. January.—The drought in all the eastern parts of the colony, which commenced in the North in November, and in other parts in December, continued throughout this month, accompanied by very still weather, and atmospheric pressure above the average. The heat has been very seriously felt, the temperature registered both in the shade and sun being greatly in excess of any previous records. February.—Rainfall and temperature in excess; winds generally moderate, but a strong S.E. to N.E. gale was felt at all stations from Nelson northward. Destructive floods at Greymouth on 8th. March.—Weather on the whole remarkably fine throughout the Colony. Rainfall considerably below the average, and no storms of any note. Very high barometer readings were recorded at nearly all the stations on 21st and 22nd. Auroras in extreme south on 2nd. April.—This month was remarkable for the unusual amount of rain that fell throughout the colony. There were no very severe gales except at Wellington, where on the 18th and 19th a heavy S.W. storm with excessive rainfall occurred, doing much damage. The atmospheric pressure was low throughout, and temperature higher than usual. May.—Wet and stormy generally during this month, with prevailing westerly winds. Severe thunder-storm on 1st in North with rain; thunder also in the South towards end of month; the temperature higher than usual; snow and hail in South. At times weather pleasant. June.—Very cold, severe weather throughout, with much snow, hail, and rain; unusually severe frosts and snow-storms in the South. In Southland snow continued from 10th for five days, fifteen inches deep, wind W., and low barometer. July.—Stormy, wet, and severe weather generally throughout, with frequent thunder, hail, and snow, and heavy falls of rain. At Nelson and Hokitika, rain considerably above the average. August.—Temperature below the average throughout, generally fine in North, and rain moderate; in the South very severe cold weather, especially in early part of month, when a heavy snow-storm occurred, also heavy rain and frequent thunder-storms. Aurora observed in North on 9th. September.—Very fine weather throughout for time of year; no severe storms recorded, and unusually small rainfall; very high atmospheric pressure

occurred about the middle of month with fine clear weather. Meteor reported at Christchurch on 14th. October.—Weather generally fine and seasonable; rainfall about the average. Frequent auroras observed in the South. Meteor seen at Auckland on 3rd, very brilliant. November.—Exceedingly dry hot weather throughout the colony, and in many places the drought was severely felt. No gales of any note occurred. At times there were cool, pleasant breezes. Very high atmospheric pressure at nearly all the stations on 20th, which continued for a few days and gradually fell; very fine weather at this period. Aurora in South on 24th; meteor seen at Wellington and Nelson on 28th, and at Queenstown on 22nd. December.—Temperature about 5° above the usual average, accompanied by excessive drought at all stations except Hokitika and Bealey, where rain was in excess. Atmospheric pressure above the average, and especially high from 6th to 8th all over the colony. Maximum temperature in shade 92.3° at Christchurch, on the 25th. The range of temperature between night and day unusually great. James Hector, Inspector of Meteorological Stations.