3192
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 114

Government Meteorological Observations.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of November, 1942. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft. was 59·8° and at 3 ft. 57·6°. Number of rain days, 15. Total rainfall equalled the normal. Sunshine was only 36 per cent. of the average. Mean dew point at 9 a.m. was 51·4°; mean vapour pressure, 12·8 mbs.

NOTE.—A mild but dull month.

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.
.. | 13 | 7½ | 3½ | 1 | 1 | 8½ | ½ | 1 | 7 | ..

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR NOVEMBER, 1942.

General Notes.—November had little really settled weather but, except in Westland, not much rain fell before the closing-days of the month. The dry conditions in the north have kept pastures back and so tended to check dairy production. Crops in general have been ripening earlier than desirable. Widespread rains at the end of the month were most beneficial, but the lighter falls experienced in Hawke’s Bay failed to give much relief. For the country as a whole the season promises to be a most satisfactory one.

Rainfall.—Rainfall exceeded the normal in the west and south coasts of the South Island, as well as in the Alps and about the Kaikoura region. Totals elsewhere were mainly below average, most of the exceptions occurring in the Auckland Province. In Hawke’s Bay falls were about half the average only. The detailed rainfall distribution, however, shows considerable variations as a result of the important contributions to the totals derived from the thunderstorms accompanying the final rains of the month.

Temperatures.—Mean temperatures were again above normal, but there were some slight negative departures in Westland and Southland. Night temperatures showed the mildness more so than the day. The frosts on the 5th and 6th caused damage to vegetable crops, but otherwise there was no trouble from frosts.

Sunshine.—The Auckland Peninsula and Hawke’s Bay had more than the usual sunshine, but elsewhere totals were below average in most cases by very substantial amounts.

Weather Sequence.—During the first three days a cold front crossed New Zealand, the associated southerly change bringing rain to most areas. Winds were colder on the 4th with hail on the east coast and some snow in the high country of both islands. An anticyclone from the south was centrally over New Zealand on the 5th and 6th, and with calmer, clearer conditions moderate frosts were fairly general.

Between the 7th and 9th, as a trough slowly progressed northward, winds changed to westerlies which were strong at times, especially in the far south. There were occasional rainy periods in Westland and Southland, but elsewhere fair weather predominated. The westerly series continued from the 10th–12th with some gales, which were most severe in the Wairarapa. The heavier showers were in the western districts. A sharp electrical storm occurred at Otira, and there was some flooding in the Grey River. Following a turn of the winds to the south on the 12th and 13th showers with local hail occurred on the east coast.

The next cold front passed between the 15th and 18th with moderate southerlies behind. At first there was considerable rain in the Southern Sounds District, but later light or moderate rainfalls extended to most southern and central areas. Meanwhile, it remained fine and mild in Auckland and Hawke’s Bay, with almost negligible rain on the 18th. On this day there were strong north-easterlies on the east coast of the South Island, with a small anticyclone to the east.

A fairly wide trough crossing on the 20th–23rd gave little precipitation. On the 24th an anticyclone was over the South Island and moved north-eastward. Fair to cloudy weather prevailed.

A complex depression approached from the north and west during the 26th and produced almost general and fairly heavy rains. A low-pressure centre crossed over the South Island on the 28th. During this period thunderstorms were widespread, and were intense in several western localities, causing power dislocations. The final portion of the disturbance passed off on the 30th, the north-westerly winds turning more south-westerly, and conditions, though changeable, were improving.

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.