1438

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

[No. 51

Government Meteorological Observatory.

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

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 57·4°; and at 3 ft., 60·3°. Number of rain days, 10. Total rainfall was 24 per cent. below normal. Sunshine was 46 per cent. of the possible, and there were no days on which some bright sunshine was not registered. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 50·9°; mean vapour pressure, 12·6 mb.

NOTE.—North-westerly gales were experienced on four occasions. A little light hail fell on the afternoon of the 28th.

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.

1 12 4 3½ ½ 3 2½ .. ½ 12 4

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR APRIL, 1942.

General Notes.—April was a typical Autumn month, but, although rainfall was not infrequent, totals were unusually light in many districts. Conditions have been favourable for farming. There is abundant feed available, and stock are in excellent condition.

Rainfall.—The western half of the South Island was wetter than usual, with double the average falls in the western high country of Nelson Province. On the west coast the persistent rain during the first week caused local flooding, as well as numerous slips and washouts. Apart from the Bay of Islands district the remainder of the Dominion had a dry month, with the greatest percentage deficiencies in central Hawke's Bay, eastern Marlborough, and mid-Canterbury. In these areas falls were frequently below a quarter of the average.

Temperatures.—Mean temperatures did not deviate greatly from normal, being slightly above on the east coast and generally slightly below elsewhere. Temperatures showed a downward trend during the month, by the end of which the first light frosts of the season had extended to the more northern districts.

Sunshine.—The duration of bright sunshine was below normal in Taranaki, Manawatu, and Westland, but in excess at most stations elsewhere, Christchurch having a substantial surplus.

Weather Sequence.—Pressure continued high to the north-east of New Zealand but low to the south of the Tasman Sea, so that west to north-west winds prevailed. Conditions were very mild and humid with thick weather in western districts, more especially in the South Island. On an almost stationary trough a depression developed during the 6th, and as this moved from the central Tasman across southern New Zealand there were north-westerly gales and some moderate rain in the central provinces, steady falls continuing in Westland. A secondary disturbance followed, bringing strong westerlies which gradually turned south-westerly, so that by the 9th cold, changeable, and showery weather became almost general.

From the 10th to the 13th, with a belt of high pressure in the north, conditions were mainly fair, although some brief rain occurred in Westland. By the 14th a depression was approaching northern New Zealand, while another was passing in the south. Conditions were unsettled generally but soon improved in the south; considerable rain fell over the Auckland Province.

On the 18th the situation changed to a south-westerly type with colder temperatures and fairly widespread showers, including some snow on the southern ranges. The weather improved rapidly except in the extremities of the Dominion. For a few days moderate southerlies and fair weather predominated, with the exception, however, of showers near Foveaux Strait.

On the 23rd an anticyclone was centred over the South Island, and while fine weather was experienced on the west coast it was cloudy at times elsewhere, with some scattered drizzle, chiefly near East Cape. During the 28th southerlies increased and reached gale force in places and showers fell in eastern districts, but conditions improved the next day. At the close of the month an anticyclone was centred in the north and north-westerlies were freshening in the south, bringing cloudy weather to the west coast.

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.