JAN. 27.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 135

Government Meteorological Observatory.

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

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 65·1° ; and at 3 ft., 61·6°. Number of rain days, 12. Total rainfall, 9 per cent. above normal. Sunshine, 48 per cent. of the possible. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 55·6° ; mean vapour pressure, 0·441 in.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

Gale (force 8 or more). 4 to 7. N. N.E. E. S.E. S. S.W. W. N.W. Calm.

... | 9 | $5 \frac{1}{2}$ | $\frac{1}{2}$ | 1 | $3 \frac{1}{2}$ | $3 \frac{1}{2}$ | 1 | ... | 13 | 3

NOTE.-Except for a slight fog on the morning of the 8th, the month was devoid of any meteorological phenomenon.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR DECEMBER, 1937.

General.-December was a very warm month, indeed, one of the warmest hitherto recorded. Though the rainfall totals were somewhat erratic as regards their relation to the average, most districts received good falls at some time or other. The high temperatures led to rapid drying in the fine spells in some areas, especially in the North Island, but there was an absence of drying winds. After the first nine or ten days humid conditions prevailed in eastern districts of the South Island, and some unusually high rainfalls were recorded. Crops are generally doing well, and there is an abundance of feed. Good crops of hay and ensilage have been gathered, although in some localities the grass seeded early. Except that lambs are not fattening very well, stock are in good condition, and the milk yield is being well maintained.

Rainfall.-As regards the total amount of rain recorded, conditions in the North Island varied considerably, and places which had more or less than the average were about equally divided. East of the main range, less than the average was the rule. In North Auckland it was very dry in parts, but in others the month's fall was heavy. In the South Island, in Southland and on the West Coast, the totals were below average, but elsewhere generally above. In Canterbury it was a very wet month, and south of Banks Peninsula most places had, at least, double the normal rainfall, and many considerably more.

Temperatures.-Temperatures were much above normal. In the Auckland and Taranaki Province the excess amounted in many places to 4°, and, except in Canterbury and Otago, the departures were generally above 2° F. Many very high temperatures were recorded. Christmas Eve was very hot in parts of the South Island and Christmas at places farther north. Blenheim recorded 93·5° on Christmas Day.

Sunshine.-In the Auckland Province the sunshine was very much above normal. Tauranga had 304·4 and Rotorua 254·3 hours. On the West Coast and in the far south of the South Island, also, more than the average was recorded. Elsewhere there was less than usual, Canterbury and Otago having a very dull month.

Storm Systems.-No very stormy weather was experienced. The anticyclones which are continually crossing this region followed more southward tracks than usual. In consequence, winds with an easterly component were common, and no cold snap extended as far north as the North Island. At the beginning of the month anticyclonic conditions and fine weather prevailed. Between the 6th and the 8th a fairly active low-pressure disturbance passed. It caused widespread rain, with many heavy falls, in the North Island. These latter were of great benefit to pastures. Conditions remained rather unsettled until the 17th and general rains were again recorded. On the 13th to 14th there were some heavy falls in the far South, accompanied in places by severe thunderstorms. From the 18th, until the latter end of the month, the weather was generally fine and often hot, but on Christmas Day it was dull and misty with much rain in eastern districts of the South Island.

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