JUNE 14.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1855

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of April, 1934. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 58·4°; and at 3 ft., 59·7°. Number of rain days, 9.

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.
.. | 16 | 7 | 6 | ½ | .. | 3 | 2 | .. | .. | 11½

NOTE.—A normal month, with temperature, rainfall, wind, and sunshine very close to the average. Total bright sunshine 46 per cent. of the possible; two sunless days. Precipitation was 1 per cent. below normal. Gales occurred on the 17th and 22nd; hail fell on the 24th and 25th; there was a thunderstorm on the night of the 24th; and a slight fog on the morning of the 27th. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 51·1°; mean vapour pressure, 0·374 in.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR APRIL, 1934.

General.—April was a mild month with comparatively little stormy weather. Precipitation was again considerably below normal over the greater part of the Dominion, but after the first nine days rather humid and cloudy conditions prevailed and some good general rains were recorded. Towards the end of the month the ground was gradually becoming saturated and the effects of the long period of dry weather seemed to be disappearing. Though the weather was not warm or sunny enough to cause vigorous growth of vegetation, a certain amount took place in all districts and the situation as regards feed for stock is generally quite good. Sheep and cattle are reported to be in good condition.

Rainfall.—Heavy rains occurred in the high parts of Taranaki and the western and central portions of the South Island. Elsewhere totals were once more considerably below normal. The east coast of the North Island had a particularly dry month.

Temperature.—As already indicated, for most of the country the month was a mild one, with temperatures above normal. In parts of the eastern districts of the South Island the excess amounted to over two degrees. In Hawke’s Bay, however, where there was a prevalence of southerly winds, the position was exactly reversed. The Wellington Province, also, recorded mean temperatures which were on the cold side. The absence of very strong cold winds prevented serious ill effects from such low temperatures as were experienced. There were some cold nights just before the middle of the month, and on the 13th widespread frosts occurred. On the 27th there was a sharp fall of temperature, marking the first touch of winter. So far, there has been little snowfall, but from the 25th the ranges had a fair coating.

Sunshine.—Less than the average amount of bright sunshine was recorded in most districts, but Nelson 197·3 hours, New Plymouth 191·0 hours, and Blenheim 187·6 hours, fared well, and the southern part of the South Island had slightly more than the average.

Pressure Systems.—At the beginning of the month pressure was above normal over a very large area extending from South Australia to beyond the Chatham Islands and from 25° to 55° south latitude. On the 1st the highest pressure was over Foveaux Strait and reached about 30·6 in. The centre of the anticyclone moved very slowly northwards and eastwards without reduction of pressure. Though barometers fell considerably on the 9th there was a tendency for high pressure throughout the month.