1948
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 70

Government Meteorological Observatory.

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

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 48·1°; and at 3 ft., 50·9°. Number of rain days, 10. The total rainfall, which was a new low record for June, was 87 per cent. below normal. Sunshine was 37 per cent. of the possible. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 44·1°; mean vapour pressure, 9·8 mb.

NOTE.—Mean 9 a.m. atmospheric pressure was the highest for any month since records began in 1864. It was the least windy month since June, 1934. The long dry spell from the 5th to the 28th, during which only 0·05 in. of rain fell, is without parallel in a winter 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.
.. | 11 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2½ | 8½ | .. | .. | 3 | 2

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR JUNE, 1942.

General Notes.—June was a pleasant month, remarkable for the high atmospheric pressure prevailing and for the lightness of the rainfall totals. The mean pressure was by a clear margin a new June record and, indeed, at most stations and in the general average, established a record high for any month. The widespread distribution of light rainfall was unprecedented for a winter month. Conditions, therefore, have been extremely favourable for farm activity, which has been concentrated on cultivation and wheat sowing. Where frosts have not been excessive there has been some pasture and garden growth, and the absence of wind and storm have contributed to a substantial saving of fodder.

Rainfall.—At the great majority of stations this was the driest June on record, and at many the driest of any winter month. Totals were generally less than a quarter the normal, the chief exceptions being the Bay of Islands, the Gisborne district, and Westland. As May was unusually wet the lack of rain was most welcome, except in parts of South Auckland where falls have continued light for several months past.

Temperatures.—Mean temperatures were slightly below normal over much of the North Island and mostly above elsewhere. Sharp frosts were frequent in all districts, but day temperatures were quite mild. There was no appreciable snowfall.

Sunshine.—Apart from Westland most districts experienced more sunshine than usual, there being several substantial surpluses, but there was frequently considerable cloud in the mornings associated with the anticyclones.

Weather Sequence.—When the month opened a depression was passing eastward from the North Island. On the 4th another depression from the north moved in a south-easterly course close to the Auckland Peninsula; at the same time an anticyclone was extending from south-eastern Australia on to Southland. South-easterly winds increased, there being gales in several places about and north of Cook Strait. Some heavy rain was experienced in exposed eastern localities of the North Island, while in the South Island rain was scattered, falling chiefly on the east and south coasts. By the 6th the anticyclone from the south had covered all New Zealand, fair but cool weather prevailing. These conditions were interrupted temporarily on the 8th when a weak trough brought scattered showers, but another anticyclone soon followed. This intensified and remained over the country until the arrival of the next very shallow trough on the 12th giving showers in scattered areas, but anticyclonic conditions were re-established by the 14th. A good deal of morning low cloud with fog or light drizzle was experienced with this and other anticyclones. A slight disturbance arrived in the south on the 17th and occasioned considerable drizzle in Westland, while north-westerly winds freshened from Taranaki southwards.

Pressure rose again and an anticyclone became centred off the east coast of the South Island by the 22nd. Easterly to northerly winds prevailed, giving cloudy conditions. Some drizzle fell in Westland.

On the 25th yet another anticyclone which had been centred to the south of the Dominion replaced the former system, which moved off to the north-east. A depression situated in the Tasman Sea gradually filled up without much effect, except in the far north where fresh easterlies were experienced.

On the 29th pressure fell considerably in the south, so that north-westerly winds freshened and unsettled conditions were experienced, most of the rain occurring in the north and west.

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.