Nov. 20.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3731

Government Meteorological Observatory.

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

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 54·4°; and at 3 ft., 53·1°. Number of rain days, 17. Total rainfall was 183 per cent. above normal, being the heaviest October rainfall since 1904. Sunshine was only 37 per cent. of the possible. It was only once lower, in 1926, when the minimum record occurred since sunshine observations were commenced in 1907. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m. was 45·2°; and mean vapour pressure, 10·2 mb.

NOTE.—Many suburbs were flooded and numerous serious slips occurred during the heavy rain of the 2nd. Gales were experienced on the 16th and 21st, and there were hail showers on the 25th.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR OCTOBER, 1941.

General Notes.—The weather during October was cool and unreliable. Rain, which was generally of a showery nature, fell frequently in most districts, but showers were lighter and more scattered over the eastern lowlands protected from the prevalent westerlies. Agricultural work has been held up again, and the areas sown in crops will be restricted. All garden growth is backward. Pastures are green, but the grass is too soft for fat lambs. Stock are otherwise in fair condition, although they need sunnier weather. Dairy-production is not up to normal, and compares unfavourably with last season’s high yield.

Rainfall.—An excess of rain was received over all the North Island, with the exception of the area east of the ranges between Masterton and East Cape and over Nelson Province and most of Marlborough. The totals were unusually high about Auckland and the Waikato, in Northern Taranaki, and between Wellington and Nelson. Flooding and slips resulted from the heavy rains in Wellington on the 2nd and 3rd and in the Taranaki-King Country area on the 9th and 10th. Westland and, more noticeably, Canterbury and Otago were deficient in rainfall, which was particularly light in Central and Northern Otago. The occurrence of numerous thunderstorms, often with hail, should be noted.

Temperatures.—Due largely to the prevalence of winds from a south-westerly quarter, temperatures were appreciably below normal throughout the country, departures being mainly 2 degrees or 3 degrees. Frosts were fairly frequent in sheltered inland districts, but elsewhere there was usually enough wind to prevent freezing temperatures.

Sunshine.—Except in the southern portion of the South Island, there was a definite lack of bright sunshine, the Central Provinces faring very badly in this respect.

Weather Sequence.—During the first four days several low-pressure systems crossed the country. Rain, extending from the north and west, became heavy and widespread over the central districts, when there were floods and slips. After a change to cool southerlies the weather improved.

By the 6th an anticyclone had moved to a position south-east of New Zealand so that north-easterlies prevailed, reaching gale force in several districts. There was extensive cloud and considerable rain fell, especially in Auckland, Taranaki, Nelson, and Marlborough. A south-westerly change beginning in the south on the 9th was accompanied by showers, but on the 10th the weather, although not entirely free from showers, had much improved.

On the 15th strong winds from the north-west gradually prevailed from Cook Strait southwards, and rain and drizzle developed in areas with a westerly exposure. On the 16th a cold front advanced from the south, bringing with the southerly change widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms, while some snow showers fell on the mountain tops. After a rapid improvement a shallow disturbance brought westerly winds accompanied by scattered light rain in many districts. A much deeper disturbance, the centre of which passed to the south of New Zealand on the 21st, caused strong westerly winds again, and the weather was very changeable, with showers of rain or hail. There were some intense thunderstorms, and snow fell on the ranges. As pressure rose winds became more southerly, but by the 26th they had decreased and fair weather prevailed.

A depression that developed in the North Tasman Sea was west of Auckland Peninsula on the 28th and caused rain and drizzle over Auckland and Taranaki Provinces. Following the depression’s eastward passage, strong south-easterly winds prevailed over the North Island.

A rapidly moving disturbance arriving on the 31st brought a period of rain along with a cold southerly change.

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.