2324
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 55

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of June, 1930. Observations taken at 9 a.m.
Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 47·4°; and at 3 ft., 50·8°. Number of rain days, 13.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

Gale (force 8 or more). | Forces 4 to 7. | Calm. | N. | N.E. | E. | S.E. | S. | S.W. | W. | N.W.
.. | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | .. | 5½ | 4½ | 2 | .. | 7

NOTE.—A cold but sunny month. Total bright sunshine, 148·8 hours, 54 per cent. of the possible, and no sunless days. Rainfall at Karori Reservoir, near Kelburn, was 29 per cent. below the mean of previous years. Frost was recorded on the grass on eight mornings, and fog was in evidence on six mornings. Hail fell on the 11th, 12th, 17th, 21st, and 25th; lightning was seen on the 10th, 23rd, and 25th; and thunder was heard on the 10th and 25th. Mean dew-point, 40·6°; and mean vapour pressure, 0·252 in.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, 1930.

The June just past was the coldest for a number of years. Though the weather was at times stormy, and showery conditions prevailed at many places, rainfall was generally much below normal, and there was a large amount of sunshine. Rainfalls in excess of the average were experienced in North Auckland and about Foveaux Strait. At Tauranga, also, largely owing to a fall of 6·45 in. on the 20th, there was an excess. In all other parts there was a considerable deficit. This was most accentuated in Nelson and Marlborough and the interior of the South Island, where much of the weather was beautifully fine. At Nelson it was the driest June on record. The cold weather was accounted for by a marked prevalence of southerly winds during the month. Temperatures were from 1° F. to 2·5° F. below normal, and frosts were everywhere very numerous and often severe. Vegetation made little growth and winter feeding of stock has been resorted to in many cases. Owing to the abundance of rough autumn feed and good reserves of hay, ensilage, &c., stock are mostly in good condition. In parts of the Waikato some growth of grass was recorded and the prospects are very favourable. On the whole, however, winter growth has been poor and rainfall deficient, so that some warm spring rains will be badly needed.

The month began with a vigorous cyclone operating on the coast of New South Wales, where severe floods had been caused by continued heavy rains. This main cyclone lost its energy to a large extent before reaching New Zealand and, passing north of the Dominion on the night of the 3rd, affected our weather comparatively little. Easterly gales blew in North Auckland and short-lived south-easterlies in Cook Strait. This storm was followed by a series of similar ones which lasted until the 7th. They all took a northward track and, except to produce southerly winds and cold weather, continued to have little influence on the South Island. Heavy rains were recorded between the 3rd and 5th in North Auckland. Puhipuhi Plantation had 13·73 in. during this period, of which 6·35 in. fell on the 4th.

On the 8th another depression of cyclonic form appeared in the Tasman Sea, and, deepening considerably during the next two days, crossed the North Island from Cape Egmont to Napier on the 10th. Rain was fairly general and there were some heavy falls, particularly in Taranaki and the northern and north-western portions of the South Island. There were westerly gales in North Auckland on the 10th during the passage of the centre, and on the following day southerly gales were widespread. Pressure became very high over the Tasman Sea following the passage of the cyclone, while it remained low to the east of New Zealand. Strong southerly winds continued, in consequence, until the 14th with bitterly cold weather.