574
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 19

Government Meteorological Observatory.

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

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 63·6°; and at 3 ft., 61·3°. Number of rain days, 15. The total rainfall was 2·14 in.,
being 26 per cent. below normal. Sunshine was only 40 per cent. of the possible, being the dullest January since 1923.
Mean dewpoint at 9 a.m. was 54·2°, and mean vapour pressure, 14·2 mb.

NOTE.—A thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain occurred on the 2nd. Frequent lightning was seen on the evening
of the 7th. Foggy mornings were experienced on the 23rd and 24th.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR JANUARY, 1942.

General Notes.—In January, as in the three preceding months, there were no really settled spells, although occasional
pleasant days were experienced. Cool, changeable conditions predominated, the weather being frequently cloudy and at
times humid. Well-distributed rain has given benefit to crops, which have shown good growth. Hay has been spoilt by the
wet and harvesting has suffered many delays, although a considerable quantity has now been stacked. Feed is plentiful,
although rather soft in places. Stock are in good condition, and lambs are reported to have fattened well.

Rainfall.—Although rain was frequent totals were not excessive, except where the thunderstorms on the 6th were
heaviest. Over the Auckland Province rain was deficient, falls of half the normal or less being common. Moderate deficiencies
predominated in Northern Taranaki and Western Wellington, while over the remainder of the North Island there were moderate
surpluses. Values in the South Island were not markedly different from normal deficiencies predominating except in Otago
and Southland.

Temperatures.—Mean temperatures were below normal as a rule by one or two degrees Fahrenheit. Cloud kept the
maximum temperatures rather low. One or two frosts in inland areas affected gardens.

Sunshine.—The stations in the central area bounded by New Plymouth, Napier, Hokitika, and Christchurch, had an
unusually dull month, sunshine averaging one or two hours a day below the normal. To the north and south of this area
normal values were reached and in some cases slightly surpassed.

Weather Sequence.—On the 1st south-westerlies prevailed, a depression which had passed over the North Island being
situated near Chatham Islands. The weather continued showery, but by the 5th, with winds veering to north-westerly,
conditions were temporarily fair and warm in the east.

On the 6th strong westerlies were widespread with many thunderstorms, and these were severe about the central high country
of the North Island, where there was some intense rain. Thereafter a westerly type of situation prevailed, pressure remaining
high to the north while disturbances passed in the south. Winds were from the westerly quadrant, turning to the south-west
for brief intervals, when scattered light rain extended to eastern districts.

A low-pressure trough crossed New Zealand on the 16th and 17th bringing cool southerlies with showers, but an extensive
anticyclone moved on to the country on the 18th. The weather then cleared except in the East Cape region. On the 21st
this anticyclone was located south of Chatham Islands, while a low-pressure centre deepened east of Gisborne. The resulting
easterly winds brought extensive cloud and considerable fog or light drizzle to eastern and central areas, especially on the
23rd and 24th.

For the remainder of the month pressure became fairly high over the Dominion with only shallow disturbances affecting
the weather, which was cloudy with much mist and fog at times and with occasional scattered rain.

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.