SEPT. 25.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3103

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of August, 1941. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Means, &c. ... 1012·6 45·2 43·1 83 49·8 40·8 38·0 .. 2·7 184 1020 85·8 ..

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.

... | 14 | 4 | 2 | ... | 1½ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 46·4°; and at 3 ft., 47·6°. Number of rain days, 26, being only once exceeded, in 1886. Total rainfall, 144 per cent. above normal, making it the wettest August ever experienced. The "rain spell" from the 31st July to 21st August was the longest such spell ever recorded in Wellington. Sunshine was only 26 per cent. of the possible, creating a new minimum record. There were eight days without any bright sunshine being recorded. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m. was 40·4°; and mean vapour pressure, 8·5 mb.

NOTE.—Hail fell on three occasions; there were two fogs; and frosts occurred on four mornings.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR AUGUST, 1941.

General Notes.—August was a month of cool, unsettled weather with frequent rain. Young stock suffered from the wet conditions and the lack of sunshine, losses of ewes and lambs occurring in Wellington and Canterbury where the rainfall was heaviest, and in parts of South Canterbury stock were snowbound for some days. Poor weather and sodden ground caused a general delay in planting and sowing, but crops already in are making some progress. Pastures made little growth except in the northern portion of the North Island, where temperatures were milder and the rainfall more moderate.

Rainfall totals were mainly in excess. For Wellington and Christchurch cities it was the wettest August for which records are available, and the same is true of many stations in the South Wellington and Canterbury Provinces. The percentage surpluses reached their greatest value in Canterbury where, in many cases, falls were at least treble the average, while they exceeded four times the average between Ashburton and Cheviot. Flooding on the Plains reached its peak on the 18th and 19th. On the other side of the Alps and in Southland rainfall was deficient, being below half the normal in much of Westland. Most of the North Island received a moderate surplus, but there were slight deficiencies in a few scattered areas, chiefly in the Auckland Province.

Temperatures.—Mean temperatures were below normal, departures being mainly two or three degrees in Wellington and in eastern and southern districts of the South Island, but only about one degree elsewhere. Frosts were frequent, especially in the southern areas which escaped the incessant rainfall. Snow fell on several occasions, some especially heavy falls occurring in the Mackenzie Country and South Canterbury.

Sunshine.—Except in Auckland, Westland, and Southland Provinces, sunshine figures were poor, and several stations, including Wellington, Blenheim, and Dunedin, established new minimum records for August.

Weather Sequence.—Cold southerly winds prevailed at the opening of the month, with showery periods in eastern and northern districts and some snow in the high country. By the 4th, when an anticyclone was over New Zealand, fine conditions became almost general, but the approach of an extensive depression from the Tasman Sea caused northerlies to freshen on the 6th and rain developed. Within the next two days the far north, as well as the ranges and districts to the westward, received heavy falls. The final active centre passed over the North Island on the 10th but moved only slowly eastward, while southerlies predominated.

A small anticyclone became centred to the south-east of New Zealand on the 11th while pressure was low to the west, so that north-easterly winds gradually prevailed and rain slowly extended southwards over most of the country. The main depression passed on the 14th, but a secondary centre developed near Cook Strait the next day. There were widespread showers, including a considerable amount of snow over the South Island and scattered snow in the ranges of the north. The centre moved to a position east of New Zealand and further rain was experienced, especially in central districts and in Canterbury, but the weather was more changeable in type. On the 19th conditions became very stormy again in all eastern districts of the South Island. In other parts the weather had become mainly fine, although temperatures were cold generally.

Pressure continued low to the east but rose in the south and north. By the 23rd the weather was fine over the South Island and, after a few showers between Cape Palliser and Gisborne, it became fine generally.

An extensive depression from the Central Tasman Sea moved towards New Zealand on the 26th, with the result that widespread rain occurred over the North Island and extended to most of the South. South-westerly depressions on and after the 28th kept the weather cold and changeable, with occasional showers as well as snow on higher levels of the South Island, but conditions gradually improved as an anticyclone advanced on to New Zealand at the close of the month.

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.