JUNE 18.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1643

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of May, 1942. Observations taken at 9 a.m.
Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 53·6°; and at 3 ft., 55·7°. Number of rain days, 22. The total rainfall, which was a record for May, was 185 per cent. above normal. Sunshine was only 22 per cent. of the possible, being the dullest May on record. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 48·2°; mean vapour pressure, 11·4 mb.

NOTE.--This was the windiest May since 1921. There were six gales, from the north-west on the 16th and 17th and from the south from the 24th to the 27th. Very dull periods from 4th to the 12th and from 22nd to the 29th. Heavy hail occurred on the 27th. The month was remarkable for the abnormally low mean daily range of temperature.

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.
.. 18 7½ 1 ¼ 3 5 2 2½ 7½ 2

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR MAY, 1942.

General Notes.--May was an unsettled month, with the poorest weather during the first portion to the south of Taranaki and a stormy spell at the end on the east coast. Although there were exceptions, overcast skies, frequent rain, and excessive wind were features in most districts. Stock have fared satisfactorily. Growth has almost ceased, and outdoor farm-work has made little progress.

Rainfall.--While the rainfall over most of the Auckland and Hawke's Bay Provinces was slightly below average, totals elsewhere were in excess. In South Westland and between Timaru and Masterton falls were greater than two and, in some cases, three times the average. It was the wettest May for many years, and several long-standing records were broken. Exceptionally heavy rain fell on the 24th in the Christchurch vicinity and caused some flooding.

Temperatures were mainly slightly milder than normal, departures being about 1° Fahrenheit in central New Zealand. Cloud and wind frequently kept the diurnal range small, but towards the end of the month hard frosts were experienced in clear areas, notably the west and south of the South Island. The chief periods of snowfall in the high country were the 8th to 10th and the 23rd to 26th.

Sunshine was about normal in Southland and slightly better than normal in Auckland and Hawke's Bay Provinces, but elsewhere there was a marked lack of sunshine, with new records for dullness in Wellington and Christchurch.

Weather Sequence.--During the first five days an anticyclone was centred near the Auckland Peninsula while a series of westerly disturbances passed in the south, giving periods of rain affecting chiefly the west coast of the South Island. In a low-pressure trough an active depression developed during the 7th and 8th and gave extensive rain, with considerable falls in western and central districts. Pressure remained low in the New Zealand area, but conditions improved temporarily, rain becoming more general again on the 12th.

A new depression developed in the west, and as it deepened strong north-easterly or northerly winds increased to gale force in many parts of the North Island. Widespread rain accompanied the southward passage of this depression, which moved away from New Zealand by the 17th, when the weather improved.

On the 19th a low-pressure trough reached New Zealand bringing a strong southerly change, after which there was a rapid improvement. An anticyclone passed across on the 21st, but was followed on the 22nd by a depression which developed off the west coast and caused extensive dull weather with fairly general rain and drizzle. On a secondary disturbance on the 24th a centre formed over the North Island, and as it deepened strong southerlies prevailed giving gales in the east coast of the South Island and over the Wellington Province. Under the influence of this active and extensive depression rain persisted in eastern districts, where there were some very heavy falls, but to the west of the Southern Alps and in South Auckland Province cool, clear weather prevailed. The depression passed eastward of Chatham Islands on the 26th, while an anticyclone centred in high latitudes extended on to the South Island. Winds, except at first in Taranaki where they increased to gale force, slowly moderated, but scattered showers persisted between Christchurch and East Cape.

By the 28th winds were more easterly. A depression passing to the north caused north-easterly winds and some gales in the Auckland Province, and rain fell over most of the North Island.

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.