✨ Meteorological Observations
[JULY 11.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
Government Meteorological Observatory.
METEOROLOGICAL Observations, Wellington, for
the month of May, 1918. Observations taken
9 a.m.
Altitude of Observatory, 8 ft.
| Date. | Barometer reduced to Lat. 45°. | From Self-registering Instruments for Twenty-four Hours previously. |
|-------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Max. Temp. | Min. Temp. |
| | in Shade. | in Shade. |
| | Fah. | Fah. |
| | 29·702 | 60·2 |
| | 30·074 | 59·4 |
| | 30·041 | 54·3 |
| | 29·843 | 57·0 |
| | 29·780 | 60·9 |
| | 30·076 | 62·6 |
| | 30·164 | 54·9 |
| | 30·237 | 59·9 |
| | 30·222 | 62·5 |
| | 30·245 | 60·7 |
| | 30·119 | 59·7 |
| | 30·234 | 64·0 |
| | 30·403 | 60·3 |
| | 30·487 | 61·2 |
| | 30·460 | 60·4 |
| | 30·380 | 57·7 |
| | 30·189 | 56·9 |
| | 29·959 | 61·9 |
| | 29·654 | 60·0 |
| | 29·711 | 61·5 |
| | 29·482 | 60·7 |
| | 29·165 | 60·0 |
| | 29·262 | 61·2 |
| | 29·224 | 59·7 |
| | 29·382 | 58·9 |
| | 29·599 | 56·2 |
| | 29·701 | 58·8 |
| | 29·948 | 60·1 |
| | 30·080 | 56·6 |
| | 30·276 | 56·0 |
| | 30·255 | 56·8 |
| | 29·947 | 59·4 |
| | 29·965 | 58·3 |
| | | |
| | Mean Temp. | |
| | in Shade. | |
| | Fah. | |
| | 48·1 | |
| | 49·7 | |
| | 47·9 | |
| | 42·0 | |
| | 45·8 | |
| | 44·0 | |
| | 43·9 | |
| | 49·0 | |
| | 55·5 | |
| | 40·9 | |
| | 50·1 | |
| | 45·1 | |
| | 49·4 | |
| | 41·9 | |
| | 48·2 | |
| | 54·6 | |
| | 44·3 | |
| | 41·9 | |
| | 55·1 | |
| | 43·7 | |
| | 54·3 | |
| | 53·2 | |
| | 53·8 | |
| | 51·6 | |
| | 52·3 | |
| | 51·3 | |
| | 55·2 | |
| | 49·4 | |
| | 49·2 | |
| | 51·2 | |
| | 42·6 | |
| | 48·1 | |
| | 47·3 | |
| | | |
| | Solar Radiation. | |
| | 110·0 | |
| | 117·0 | |
| | 95·0 | |
| | 114·0 | |
| | 116·0 | |
| | 115·0 | |
| | 106·0 | |
| | 116·0 | |
| | 122·0 | |
| | 110·0 | |
| | 122·0 | |
| | 114·0 | |
| | 112·0 | |
| | 111·0 | |
| | 119·0 | |
| | 109·0 | |
| | 82·0 | |
| | 118·0 | |
| | 114·0 | |
| | 117·0 | |
| | 113·0 | |
| | 96·0 | |
| | 118·0 | |
| | 88·0 | |
| | 95·0 | |
| | 107·0 | |
| | 109·0 | |
| | 112·0 | |
| | 109·0 | |
| | 97·0 | |
| | 104·0 | |
| | 109·3 | |
| | 95·2 | |
| | | |
| | Terrestrial Radiation. | |
| | 35·6 | |
| | 46·3 | |
| | 41·3 | |
| | 31·9 | |
| | 34·4 | |
| | 33·0 | |
| | 33·0 | |
| | 34·9 | |
| | 49·5 | |
| | 30·2 | |
| | 48·6 | |
| | 34·9 | |
| | 38·4 | |
| | 30·7 | |
| | 36·4 | |
| | 47·5 | |
| | 30·3 | |
| | 29·9 | |
| | 49·5 | |
| | 30·5 | |
| | 52·3 | |
| | 51·3 | |
| | 50·1 | |
| | 48·2 | |
| | 48·0 | |
| | 42·0 | |
| | 49·8 | |
| | 27·4 | |
| | 43·0 | |
| | 47·7 | |
| | 29·6 | |
| | 39·9 | |
| | 39·9 | |
| | | |
| | Veloc. Wind in Miles. | |
| | 149 | |
| | 470 | |
| | 280 | |
| | 143 | |
| | 244 | |
| | 175 | |
| | 148 | |
| | 156 | |
| | 220 | |
| | 39 | |
| | 109 | |
| | 65 | |
| | 33 | |
| | 17 | |
| | 43 | |
| | 267 | |
| | 125 | |
| | 62 | |
| | 271 | |
| | 157 | |
| | 439 | |
| | 383 | |
| | 351 | |
| | 397 | |
| | 446 | |
| | 316 | |
| | 361 | |
| | 79 | |
| | 250 | |
| | 338 | |
| | 139 | |
| | 215 | |
| | 218 | |
| | | |
| | Amount of Cloud. | |
| | 0 to 10. | |
| | 3 | |
| | 9 | |
| | 0 | |
| | 2 | |
| | 7 | |
| | 3 | |
| | 8 | |
| | 0 | |
| | 4 | |
| | 6 | |
| | 9 | |
| | 9 | |
| | 0 | |
| | 2 | |
| | 9 | |
| | 0 | |
| | 1 | |
| | 10 | |
| | 3 | |
| | 9 | |
| | 4 | |
| | 10 | |
| | 7 | |
| | 6 | |
| | 1 | |
| | 2 | |
| | 3 | |
| | 10 | |
| | 7 | |
| | 6 | |
| | ... | |
| | ... | |
| | | |
| | Direction of Wind. | |
| | | |
| | S. | |
| | S. | |
| | Calm | |
| | N. | |
| | S.E. | |
| | S. | |
| | S.E. | |
| | N. | |
| | N. | |
| | Calm | |
| | Calm | |
| | N.E. | |
| | Calm | |
| | N.E. | |
| | S.E. | |
| | N.W. | |
| | Calm | |
| | N. | |
| | NNW | |
| | N.W. | |
| | N.W. | |
| | N.W. | |
| | N.W. | |
| | NNW | |
| | N.W. | |
| | S.E. | |
| | S. | |
| | N.W. | |
| | ... | |
| | ... | |
| | | |
| | Rainfall in Points | |
| | (100 to 1 inch). | |
| | | |
| | ... | |
| | 3 | |
| | ... | |
| | 2 | |
| | 7 | |
| | 3 | |
| | 8 | |
| | 0 | |
| | 4 | |
| | 6 | |
| | Trace | |
| | Trace | |
| | 33 | |
| | 17 | |
| | 0 | |
| | 2 | |
| | 9 | |
| | 0 | |
| | 6 | |
| | 10 | |
| | 3 | |
| | 9 | |
| | 4 | |
| | 10 | |
| | 7 | |
| | 6 | |
| | 1 | |
| | 2 | |
| | 3 | |
| | 10 | |
| | 7 | |
| | 6 | |
| | ... | |
| | ... | |
DIRECTION OF WIND.
N. | N.E. | E. | S.E. | S. | S.W. | W. | N.W. | Calm.
6 | 2 | ... | 4 | 5 | ... | ... | 8 | 6
NOTE.—Precipitation during the month was greatest
between the 18th and 25th, the weather during the rest of
the month being bright and sunny, with moderate to strong
N. and N.W. winds prevailing. Total bright sunshine, 165
hours 47 minutes and two sunless days. Frost was recorded
on the grass on eight mornings. Thunder and lightning on
23rd and 24th, and hail on the 23rd. Mean earth temperature
at 1 ft. was 53·9°, and 56·5° at 3 ft. Mean dew-point, 47°;
mean elastic force of vapour, 0·323 in.; and mean relative
humidity, 78 per cent. of saturation.
CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLE.
MEANS AND TOTALS FROM THE CHIEF STATIONS.
May, 1918.
| Altitude above Sea Level. | Name of Station and Observer. | Absolute Temp. in Shade. | Mean Max. Temp. | Mean Min. Temp. | Total Rainfall (100 Points to the Inch). | Days with Rain (3 Point or more) |
|---------------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Ft. | | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Points. | Dys. |
| 125 | NORTH ISLAND. | 56·9 | 62·9 | 51·0 | 257 | 20 |
| | AUCKLAND .. | 51·9 | 62·5 | 41·3 | 286 | 13 |
| | F.A.F.Burnett | 50·3 | 58·5 | 42·1 | 190 | 9 |
| 46 | TE AROHA .. | 53·0 | 63·2 | 42·9 | 313 | 15 |
| | G.F.McGirr | 53·1 | 63·7 | 42·5 | 96 | 7 |
| 925 | ROTORUA .. | 57·6 | 64·4 | 50·8 | 495 | 19 |
| | W.Penno | 51·5 | 60·1 | 42·9 | 438 | 15 |
| 340 | WAIHI .. | 47·2 | 53·3 | 41·1 | 365 | 12 |
| | P.A.Clifford | 53·1 | 63·7 | 42·5 | 96 | 7 |
| | TAURANGA .. | 57·6 | 64·4 | 50·8 | 495 | 19 |
| | C.J.Butcher | 51·5 | 60·1 | 42·9 | 438 | 15 |
| 160 | NEW PLYMOUTH | 53·1 | 63·7 | 42·5 | 96 | 7 |
| | W.W.Smith | 51·5 | 60·1 | 42·9 | 438 | 15 |
| 250 | MOUMAHAKI | 47·2 | 53·3 | 41·1 | 365 | 12 |
| | T.W.Lonsdale | 53·1 | 63·7 | 42·5 | 96 | 7 |
| 2080 | TAIHAPE .. | 51·7 | 59·6 | 43·9 | 420 | 12 |
| | A.R.Fannin | 49·3 | 58·8 | 39·9 | 475 | 10 |
| 100 | PALMERSTON NORTH.. | 50·5 | 61·4 | 39·6 | 364 | 14 |
| | J.E.Vernon | 54·2 | 62·2 | 46·3 | 62 | 7 |
| 186 | GREYTOWN | 51·7 | 59·6 | 43·9 | 420 | 12 |
| | W.C.Davies | 50·5 | 61·4 | 39·6 | 364 | 14 |
| 377 | MASTERTON | 49·3 | 58·8 | 39·9 | 475 | 10 |
| | Wm.Hood | 50·5 | 61·4 | 39·6 | 364 | 14 |
| 70 | GREENMEADOWS, NA- | 54·2 | 62·2 | 46·3 | 62 | 7 |
| | PIER | 50·5 | 61·4 | 39·6 | 364 | 14 |
| | T.B.McBreen | 50·5 | 61·4 | 39·6 | 364 | 14 |
| | TRENTHAM MILITARY | 50·7 | 59·9 | 41·5 | 383 | 14 |
| | CAMP | 53·7 | 59·4 | 48·1 | 414 | 11 |
| | Lieut.-Col. Leahy | 50·5 | 61·4 | 39·6 | 364 | 14 |
| | WELLINGTON | 50·5 | 61·4 | 39·6 | 364 | 14 |
SOUTH ISLAND.
| Brightwater .. | 49·7 | 60·3 | 39·2 | 201 | 8 |
| Ven. Archdeacon | | | | | |
| Kempthorne | 50·8 | 59·6 | 42·0 | 144 | 10 |
| J.R.Dart | 45·7 | 55·5 | 36·0 | 334 | 10 |
| HANMER SPA | 48·1 | 56·2 | 40·0 | 159 | 17 |
| Miss M.Stewart | 49·5 | 58·2 | 40·7 | 149 | 12 |
| CHRISTCHURCH .. | 46·2 | 57·2 | 35·3 | 314 | 8 |
| H.F.Skey | 47·9 | 57·4 | 38·5 | 87 | 8 |
| LINCOLN .. | 48·5 | 57·6 | 39·5 | 30 | 6 |
| L.J.Wild | 47·4 | 56·2 | 38·6 | 65 | 7 |
| KISSELTON .. | 44·3 | 52·8 | 35·8 | 268 | 15 |
| A.R.Blackwood | 48·2 | 55·9 | 40·6 | 969 | 18 |
| RAKAIA .. | 45·6 | 53·4 | 37·9 | 577 | 20 |
| Miss A.Hardy | 48·5 | 57·6 | 39·5 | 30 | 6 |
| TIMARU .. | 47·4 | 56·2 | 38·6 | 65 | 7 |
| Caretaker of Domain | 44·3 | 52·8 | 35·8 | 268 | 15 |
| WAIMATE .. | 48·2 | 55·9 | 40·6 | 969 | 18 |
| F.Akhurst | 45·6 | 53·4 | 37·9 | 577 | 20 |
| DUNEDIN .. | 48·2 | 55·9 | 40·6 | 969 | 18 |
| D.Tannock | 45·6 | 53·4 | 37·9 | 577 | 20 |
| GORE .. | 44·3 | 52·8 | 35·8 | 268 | 15 |
| H.Dolamore | 48·2 | 55·9 | 40·6 | 969 | 18 |
| HOKITIKA .. | 45·6 | 53·4 | 37·9 | 577 | 20 |
| W.H.Fleming | 44·3 | 52·8 | 35·8 | 268 | 15 |
| INVERCARGILL | 48·2 | 55·9 | 40·6 | 969 | 18 |
| L.Lennie | 45·6 | 53·4 | 37·9 | 577 | 20 |
SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 1918.
During the first half of May anticyclonic pressure ruled, with fair weather generally. From the 16th until the 29th an
intense and extensive westerly area of low pressure held sway. The latter accounted for unsettled conditions, and between
the 20th and 26th high and boisterous north-west winds were experienced, with rain in most parts of the Dominion.
On the 23rd and 24th thunderstorms occurred in the neighbourhood of Cook Strait, and this time heavy rain fell in the
Wairarapa district, causing floods in some of the low-lying country, especially about Masterton.
During the 28th and 29th a depression passing off East Cape accounted for strong south-east winds and heavy showers
along the east coast of the North Island.
In nearly all parts of the Dominion the total rainfall for the month was considerably less than the average.
D. C. BATES, Director.Next Page →
Online Sources for this page:
VUW Te Waharoa —
NZ Gazette 1918, No 98
NZLII —
NZ Gazette 1918, No 98
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🏗️ Meteorological Observations for Wellington, May 1918
🏗️ Infrastructure & Public WorksWeather, Temperature, Barometer, Wind, Rainfall, Wellington, May 1918
- D. C. Bates, Director
🏗️ Climatological Table for Chief Stations, May 1918
🏗️ Infrastructure & Public WorksClimate, Temperature, Rainfall, Weather Stations, May 1918
25 names identified
- F.A.F. Burnett, Observer at Auckland
- G.F. McGirr, Observer at Te Aroha
- W. Penno, Observer at Rotorua
- P.A. Clifford, Observer at Waihi
- C.J. Butcher, Observer at Tauranga
- W.W. Smith, Observer at New Plymouth
- T.W. Lonsdale, Observer at Moumahaki
- A.R. Fannin, Observer at Taihape
- J.E. Vernon, Observer at Palmerston North
- W.C. Davies, Observer at Greytown
- Wm. Hood, Observer at Masterton
- T.B. McBreen, Observer at Greenmeadows, Napier
- Lieut.-Col. Leahy, Observer at Trentham Military Camp
- Ven. Archdeacon Kempthorne, Observer at Brightwater
- J.R. Dart, Observer at Hanmer Spa
- M. Stewart (Miss), Observer at Hanmer Spa
- H.F. Skey, Observer at Christchurch
- L.J. Wild, Observer at Lincoln
- A.R. Blackwood, Observer at Kisselton
- A. Hardy (Miss), Observer at Rakaia
- F. Akhurst, Observer at Waimate
- D. Tannock, Observer at Dunedin
- H. Dolamore, Observer at Gore
- W.H. Fleming, Observer at Hokitika
- L. Lennie, Observer at Invercargill
- D. C. Bates, Director