360

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of MAY, 1871.

• Altitude 2,104 feet. † For two years only.

NOTES.

Mongonui. Fine weather generally. Stormy on 4th, N.W., with heavy rain. Strong N.W. wind on 12th. Heavy rain on 14th—2*01 recorded for previous 24 hours, and thunder and lightning. Strong N.W. wind on 15th. Stormy from N.E. on 29th, and rain. Thunder on 30th, fog on 30th. Prevailing wind from N.W. and S.W. Maximum temperature on 1st, 73°.

Auckland. Stormy weather at this station, especially on 4th, 16th, 19th, and 20th from S.W., and on 29th from N.W. No heavy falls of rain—the greatest fall recorded on 12th, 0806 of an inch. Thunder on 15th. Prevailing wind from S.W. Maximum temperature on 7th, 703.

Taranaki. On 14th, thunder-storm with very heavy rain, 3*24 inches recorded on morning of 15th, wind easterly, also heavy rain on 15th. On night of 31st, remarkable lightning and thunder. Foggy on 4th. Weather on the whole dull and showery. Prevailing wind S.W. Maximum temperature on 1st and 14th, 70°.

Napier. Unsettled weather, generally showery and unpleasant with strong winds, but at times very fine and bright. Strong southerly wind on night of 24th. Greatest rain on 16th, '94 inch. Prevailing wind from W. Maximum temperature on 5th, 74°.

Wellington. Stormy on night of 3rd from N.W. with heavy rain, and very wet with strong wind from same quarter on 4th. Wind changed in night to S.E., and continued wet, cold, and disagreeable during the 5th. Fine bright N.W. weather from 6th to 11th, when wind changed to S.E., and brought heavy rain. Cold, wet, and severe S.E. weather prevailed up to 16th. Very stormy and wet on 15th and 16th. Wind shifted to W. and tolerably fine. On 18th, severe storm in afternoon from S.W., with hail and rain; very cold and frosty night. Fine on 20th, 21st, and 22nd, but very cold for time of year. Frosty on night of 20th. On 23rd, damp and unpleasant. Sudden squall from W. on night of 24th, with hail. Fine from 25th to 28th, though very cold and frosty during nights of 25th and 26th. Stormy on 29th from N.W., with rain. Dull showery weather on 30th and 31st from N.W.; heavy rain on night of 31st, with lightning. Wind changed to S.E., and still rain. Greatest rainfall recorded on 4th, 1*400 inch. Maximum temperature on 11th and 23rd, 64°. Prevailing wind from N.W.

Nelson. Fine generally, with moderate winds, though at times heavy rain, especially on 29th and 30th, when 254 and 185 inches were recorded. On 27th, stormy from N.E. Prevailing wind from S.W. Maximum temperature on 1st, 8th, and 23rd, 66°.

Christchurch. Stormy on 3rd from N.W. Strong S.W. wind on 19th, with rain. Thunder and lightning on 24th, with very heavy showers. Wind S.W., lasting only for a short time. Very slight rainfall; highest recorded on 20th, 0360 inch, and weather generally fine during month. Winds moderate, and prevailed from S.W. Maximum temperature on 5th, 741.

Bealey. Stormy weather up to 11th from N.W., with heavy rain on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Tolerably fine to 17th, when there was thunder and rain from N.W. Fine during remainder of month, except 22nd and 27th, when it was strong from N.W., and heavy rain on 29th, 30th, and 31st. Snow fell on 18th and 19th. Fog on 1st. Highest rainfall recorded on 4th—for the previous 24 hours, 5*560 inches. Twenty-three days of N.W. wind. Maximum temperature on 4th, 58°.

Hokitika. Strong N.W. winds from 3rd to 6th, with heavy rain on 3rd and 4th. On 17th, gale from N.E. to S., with thunder, hail, and rain. On 18th, S.W. gale, with thunder, hail, and rain. On 19th, heavy squalls of rain, and thunder from N.E. Stormy also on 20th, from N.E. Gale from S.W. on 24th, with rain. Heaviest rain recorded on 23rd, 318 inches. Very wet, unpleasant, and stormy throughout the month. Prevailing wind from S.E. Maximum temperature on 5th, 625.

Dunedin. Fine weather usually, but rather cold, and at times strong winds, but little rain. From 23rd to 26th, strong W. and S.W. winds. Snow fell on 24th. Greatest rain recorded on 4th, 0572 inch. Prevailing winds from W. and S.W. Maximum temperature on 4th, 720.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Atmospheric pressure during the month only slightly above the average, but marked by great steadiness, the only distinction being on the 3rd and 4th, when a dip of ³⁵, lasting for twenty-four hours, was recorded at most stations. Prevalent westerly weather, with excessive rainfall on the western slopes of the Southern Alps.

JAMES HECTOR, Inspector.

Printed under the authority of the New Zealand Government, by GEORGE DIDSBURY, Government Printer, Wellington.