480
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 12

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of January, 1937. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 64·7°; and at 3 ft., 62·5°. Number of rain days, 12. Total rainfall, 10 per cent. above normal. Sunshine, 51 per cent. of possible. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 52·1°; mean vapour pressure, 0·389 in.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

NOTE.—Moderate north-west gales were experienced on the 7th and 11th.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR JANUARY, 1937.

General.—Though the rainfall was below normal in parts of the South Island the weather was generally humid, and January was a wet month, especially in the North Island. The humid conditions favoured the growth of pasture, which is still abundant—in many places, indeed, superabundant. Stock, consequently, are in good condition, and the milk-yield has been well maintained. Feed remains rather soft, however, and lambs have not fattened very well. The cool weather, too, has been rather unfavourable for crops of most kinds. Shearing, which had been held over in some districts by the wet weather, was still further delayed, and haymaking was interfered with. White butterflies have been rather more numerous again. Unusually low pressures prevailed throughout the month, which was more stormy and windy than most Januaries.

Rainfall.—The whole of the North Island, with the exception of parts of Taranaki, had more than the average rainfall. North Auckland had more than double, and between Hawke’s Bay and the Bay of Plenty, also, it was very wet. In the South Island, though it was generally a wet month, the total falls were below normal in Nelson and parts of North Canterbury and Otago.

Temperatures were below normal over almost the whole country, the departure being generally about 2° F. Hastings and Hanmer Springs, however, were warmer than usual, doubtless owing to the Föhn effect in the strong westerly winds. About the middle of the month a few frosts were recorded, and snow fell to rather low levels on the mountains.

Sunshine was above normal at Wellington and in eastern districts of the South Island, but elsewhere was below it. Blenheim had 277·2 hours, Lake Tekapo 272·7, and Nelson 255·2.

Pressure Systems.—On the 1st a depression was passing away eastward and the weather was still disturbed over the Dominion. Rain was widespread. Some heavy falls occurred on both coasts of the North Island, but particularly in the north-east.

On the 5th a vigorous disturbance came from the Tasman Sea and a centre of low pressure moved from west of the Auckland Peninsula south-south-easterly across the North Island. Strong easterly or north-easterly winds to gales blew over the North Island, while westerly gales followed in the central provinces. Heavy rain was general.

Between the 9th and the 12th there was a series of westerly depressions which affected principally the South Island and southern portions of the North.

On the 14th a cyclonic depression which had developed in the North Tasman Sea moved southwards from near Norfolk Island across the North Island and finally filled up on the 16th. On the 14th to 15th easterly gales in the Auckland Province did considerable damage. Heavy rain was again general over the North Island, and some flooding occurred in North Auckland and southern Hawke’s Bay. Dannevirke had 8·25 inches of rain on the 16th.