Notes on the Weather During 1877.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 10, 1877, Unnumbered Page

Notes on the Weather During 1877. January.— Wet, stormy, and unpleasant weather generally experienced throughout; wind prevailing from westward, and frequent thunder-storms. Earthquake reported by observer at Wellington on 10th, at 9.58 p.m., sharp, from S.E. February.— During the first half of month the weather throughout was exceedingly wet and stormy, with thunder; floods occurred at several places throughout the colony; the latter part was fine generally. Earthquakes reported by observers at Wellington on 9th, at 6.49 p.m., slight, 4 secs., from S.E., and on 10th, at 8.49 a.m., slight, 2 secs., from E.; at Manawatu, 5th, 10.24 p.m., sharp, preceded by slight noise; Governor's Bay, 2nd, at 10.10 p.m., S.W.; Wanganui, night of 7th, loud rumble. March.— With the exception of the heavy fall of rain at Mongonui between the 6th and 17th, the weather throughout during this period was exceedingly fine, with a remarkably small rainfall and generally light winds. April.— With few exceptions the weather during this period was fine for time of the year, with little rain, and no storms of any violence. The temperature was, however, rather below the average throughout. The Queenstown observer reports a smart shock of earthquake in neigbourhood of Skipper's, Upper Shotover, about the 13th. May.— With few exceptions the weather has been very wet and boisterous throughout the month, accompanied by thunder and hail storms, and excessive falls of rain; the wind was principally westerly; the barometer and thermometer readings were below the average. Earthquakes were reported by observers at Taranaki on 8th at 7.20 a.m.; and at Queenstown on 2nd, slight. A tidal disturbance was observed at many of the stations on the East Coast on the 11th. A brilliant meteor was observed in the extreme North on the 11th, and one at Lyttelton on the 15th. June.— Except in the interior and on the West Coast of the South Island, the rainfall has been small for the time of year, and on the whole fine winter weather was experienced. July.— Very fine weather generally throughout for time of year; small rainfall and moderate winds; exceeding high barometric pressure; temperature below the average. Earthquakes felt at Wellington, 4th, at 4.27 p.m., N. to S., slight; and on 16th, slight double shock, between 10 and 11 p.m.; at Nelson, on 4th, at 4.20 p.m., sharp, and at Westport, at 3.30 p.m., smart. August.— About the average weather for the time of year; the rain at most stations less than usual for this month, and no violent storms occurred; the temperature rather high. Earthquakes felt at Wanganui, on 11th, at 6.30 a.m., slight; Wellington, same date, and about same hour, slight; at Queenstown, a slight shock reported on 14th, at 6 a.m. September.— Very small rainfall during this month as compared with that for same period in former years; the atmospheric pressure was generally higher, and the temperature about the average on the whole; some strong winds were experienced from westward, but generally the weather for the time of year was fine. Earthquakes were felt at Wellington, on the 15th, between 8 and 9 a.m., slight; on 22nd, at 4.40 p.m., two smart shocks with rumbling noise; and on 29th, at 1.50 a.m., a slight movement: also at Rakaia, on 16th, a shock reported. October.— Generally fine and dry early part of month, but during latter half, at most of the stations, wet unpleasant weather was experienced, with much snow and thunder, and some strong S.W. gales. Earthquakes at Napier, on 25th, at 8.40 p.m., smart; at Wellington, on 10th, slight shock at 8.53 p.m.; at Timaru and Waimate, on 10th, at night; at Dunedin, on 9th, shock reported. November.— During early part of month strong westerly gale experienced at almost all stations, accompanied at most places with heavy rain, hail, and thunder, causing floods; the latter part of month generally fine and pleasant; except at one or two localities the rain was under the average. Earthquakes felt at Wellington, on 6th, at 9.10 a.m., slight; and on 7th, at 8.21 p.m., slight; at Kaiapoi and Rangiora, on 21st. December.— Fine weather generally experienced during this month, although at some of the stations, especially in the South, the rain was in excess of average. Westerly winds prevailed, and on the 6th a storm from that quarter was felt at many places; the temperature was on the whole about the average. An earthquake at Taupo was reported by telegram on 8th, at 4.15 a.m., smart.