2714
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 68

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of August, 1935. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 47·0°; and at 3 ft., 48·2°. Number of rain days, 10.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

Gale (force 8 or more). | Forces 4 to 7. | N. | N.E. | E. | S.E. | S. | S.W. | W. | N.W. | Calm.
.. | 11 | 7 | 1 | 1½ | ½ | 5½ | ½ | 2½ | 6½ | 6

NOTE.—The sunniest August experienced in Wellington since records commenced in 1907. Total bright sunshine amounted to 63 per cent. of the possible, and there was only one day on which the sun did not shine at all. Approximate mean temperature was 0·5° F. above normal. Rainfall was 13 per cent. below the average. There was a heavy fall of snow on the Tararuas on the 1st, and the Orongorongos also received a light coating on the 1st and 21st. A severe thunderstorm, accompanied by heavy hail, occurred on the night and early morning of the 16th–17th. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 39·8°; mean vapour pressure, 0·245 in.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR AUGUST, 1935.

General.—August was subject to the effects of several intense storm areas, and unsettled squally conditions were frequently experienced, but there were various individual days as well as three more prolonged intervals when fine and mild weather prevailed. The generally fine spells covered the periods from the 1st to the 4th, 8th to the 13th, and the 22nd to the 28th, although in the latter period western areas had occasional showers. The month was remarkable for the early advent of strong westerly winds, and on this account the finest and mildest weather was experienced in districts east of the main ranges. There was little growth of pasture in parts of the east coast districts on account of the unusual dryness, but over most of the Dominion feed is plentiful and stocks have generally fared very well through the winter. On the other hand, the constant wet weather during the middle of the month in the Wairarapa and other parts of the North Island was detrimental to lambing. Fortunately, however, there were no unduly protracted or severe cold spells and no serious losses are reported.

Temperatures.—At a few places in the central portion of the North Island the mean temperature was very slightly below normal, but over the rest of the Dominion the normal was exceeded. The departures were greatest in the eastern half of the South Island where they ranged from 1° to as much as 3° F. above. Frosts were less frequent than usual and generally less severe.

Rainfall.—The total rainfall was again considerably below the average in the east coast districts of the South Island, and it was also below, but to a less extent, in the east coast areas of the North Island between East Cape and Cook Strait. Most of the remainder of the country had more than the average. Nelson, with more than double, reports the largest excess, but parts of Taranaki and the central districts of the North Island also had a very wet month.

Sunshine.—The amount of bright sunshine fell below the average for August on the west coast of the South Island and in Taranaki and the Auckland provinces in the North Island, while the eastern districts had more than normal. The greatest amounts recorded were 212 hours at Blenheim, 209 at Napier, and 204 hours at Wellington. At the latter place it was the sunniest August since sunshine records were first taken in 1907.

Pressure Systems.—The month opened with fine weather which continued until the 4th under the influence of a slight anticyclone. On the latter day the front of an intense westerly depression moved on to the Dominion and strong northerly winds set in and were accompanied by heavy rain in western districts during the night of the 4th and on the 5th and 6th with thunderstorms in places. The northerly wind was particularly severe about this time in the Taranaki district where some minor damage to sheds, gardens, and fences occurred. The rear of this storm crossed the Dominion during the night of the 6th when a general change to cold southerly winds took place and heavy snow fell in the National Park area. In the east coast districts of the South Island only light and scattered rain occurred with the southerly change, and by the morning of the 7th the weather had improved over the whole of the South Island, the improvement extending over the North Island on the 8th. The general effects of this disturbance were less severe than might have been expected from its extent and intensity. In the Tasman Sea, for instance, very stormy conditions were associated with it for several days and the s.s. “Wanganella” in her crossing to Australia experienced a severe buffeting.

From the 8th to the 13th, while an intense anticyclone was situated over New Zealand, mild and pleasant conditions prevailed throughout the Dominion.