3962
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 106

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of November, 1939. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 59·4°; and at 3 ft., 56·8°. Number of rain days, 13. Total rainfall, 2 per cent. below normal. Sunshine, 46 per cent. of the possible. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 49·7°; mean vapour pressure, 11·9 mb.

NOTE.—A windy month, with gales occurring on the 16th, 19th, and 20th, and very high winds on the 7th and 13th. Thunderstorms occurred on the 1st, 18th, and 28th, and hail fell with that of the 18th. Fogs were experienced on the 21st and 22nd, and snow fell on the Tararua on the 18th.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR NOVEMBER, 1941.

General Notes.—During November New Zealand experienced changeable, windy weather which, although typical of late spring, was not relieved by settled spells normally expected. Hence, there was little sign of the season overcoming its backwardness. Conditions have varied considerably with locality, but in general terms it may be remarked that the weather has continued dry to the east of the ranges and in the far north, while elsewhere it has been wet with inadequate sunshine. Drought conditions were effectively relieved in Central Otago. Stock in sheep-farming districts have thriven, although the persistence of showery weather has delayed shearing in some parts. Cattle are healthy, but dairy-production is somewhat below normal. Hay and ensilage crops are expected to be light. Most crops appear to be in a fairly satisfactory state.

Rainfall.—The country was rarely free from showers in some quarter. The rainfall totals were variable, reflecting the effect of the predominance of westerly winds. The Waikato, Taranaki, and the Manawatu had moderate excesses; surplus rain also occurred in western Nelson, Westland, Southland, and most of Otago, the greatest excesses being in the Southern Alps and in the south-eastern corner of the Island. Elsewhere conditions were drier than normal. The Gisborne–Hawke’s Bay area was extremely dry, and much of the eastern low country of the South Island received under half the average rainfall.

Temperatures.—While mean temperatures were slightly above normal between Marlborough and East Cape they were rather cooler than usual elsewhere. Winds, however, accentuated the feeling of coolness, but prevented sharp frosts. On several occasions there were scattered hail showers and some snow on upper levels.

Sunshine.—In eastern and far northern districts the sunshine totals exceeded the average figures by small amounts, but elsewhere the values were comparatively poor, Nelson, Westland, and Southland suffering noticeably in this respect.

Weather Sequence.—After the passage of a secondary disturbance on the 1st southerlies prevailed, bringing heavy showers and numerous isolated thunderstorms, often with heavy hail. Depressions on the 3rd and 4th kept the winds south-westerly, giving scattered rain.

On the 5th an anticyclone to the north-west intensified while pressure was very low to the south, so that west to north-west winds rose to gale force in many places and considerable rain fell in districts from Taranaki southward. The low-pressure system crossing the Dominion on the 7th and 8th was followed by strong southerlies over the whole of the country. The east coast had a short period of showers, while snow showers occurred in the southern ranges as well as locally about the Dunedin hills.

By the 10th conditions were good generally, an anticyclone covering New Zealand. As this was replaced by a low-pressure system from the Tasman Sea north-westerlies increased to gale strength in places on the 12th and drizzle and rain set in in western districts. As the trough passed, winds changed to the west or south-west. For several days typical westerly weather continued with gales in exposed positions and most of the rain in and west of the ranges. A disturbance on the 17th gave heavy showers and thunderstorms in a number of districts. A further disturbance in the south on the 19th caused extensive rain over the southern portion of the South Island.

On the 21st pressure became more uniform and rather cloudy conditions prevailed, with scattered drizzle and fog in the Cook Strait area. However, on the 21st some very heavy local rain was experienced in the Shannon neighbourhood. New disturbances on the 25th brought a period of moderate rain to Auckland and gave fogs in Otago. Thereafter the situation reverted to the westerly type with further falls in all western districts. By the 29th a south-westerly change had become general, there being scattered showers and thunderstorms. Conditions had improved again on the 30th.

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.