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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
No. 32

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR APRIL 1962

General: In the North Island April was wet and rather warm, and noteworthy for a violent storm which occurred at mid-month. Throughout both islands farmers found it a favourable month, as moisture was adequate in nearly all districts and there was an absence of severe cold spells.

A very deep depression crossed the North Island from the 14th to the 16th, causing exceptionally strong winds in most districts, with widespread damage. The main areas which escaped damage were Nelson, the West Coast, and Southland.

Rainfall: Rainfall was above normal over most of the North Island and also in northern districts of the South Island and the Canterbury Plains and coast. It was more than double the average value about Cook Strait, in the Hokianga – Bay of Islands area of Northland, and about Banks Peninsula. To the north and west of the Bay of Islands totals ranging from 13 to 23 in. were recorded, two-thirds of which fell in the four days 26 to 29 April, with some serious flooding.

About and west of the Southern Alps and in Southland rainfall was less than three-quarters of the average value.

Temperatures: Temperatures were above average by 1 to 2 degrees over the North Island, but they were below average by a degree in eastern districts of the South Island.

The coolest spell was associated with the passage of the deep depression on the 15th, when snow fell on the ranges of both islands.

Sunshine: Sunshine was mainly close to average. However, the West Coast and Hawke’s Bay were favoured with about 20 hours more sunshine than usual; while in Northland, Wairarapa, and Central Otago it was below average by a similar amount.

Weather Sequence: During the first three days a depression over the Auckland Province was moving slowly eastward and an anticyclone was centred to the south-east of the South Island. Easterly winds prevailed, with rain in eastern districts, heavy in Hawke’s Bay and Rotorua on the 1st. With rising pressures over the North Island the weather gradually cleared, and the 4th was fair. On the 5th and 6th a small depression over the South Island caused considerable rain on the West Coast, and light falls also about Cook Strait and in western districts of the North Island south of Auckland.

By the 7th the depression was centred over Cook Strait, with rain in this area. On the following day a ridge of high pressure extended over the country and the weather was fair.

A depression over the north Tasman Sea moved towards the North Island during the 9th and 10th and at the same time a trough of low pressure moved northward over the South Island. Rain was fairly general with some heavy falls about Cook Strait. An improvement occurred in most districts as the depression lost intensity during the two following days, but rain persisted over the Auckland Province. On the 13th the weather improved in the north, but rain was reported in Fiordland and Southland with the passage of a depression to the south.

On the 14th a depression moved from the north Tasman Sea towards the North Island, deepening rapidly. This depression crossed the North Island on the 15th. Exceptionally strong winds caused damage in many districts, the main exceptions being Westland and Southland. Rain was general on both days and temperatures were cooler, with snow on the ranges. Conditions improved rapidly on the 16th as the depression moved away to the south-east, but showers were still reported in the Auckland Province.

A ridge of high pressure extending on to the country from the west brought three days of mainly fair weather from the 17th to the 19th. A weak trough accompanied by light rain passed eastward over the South Island on the following day. From the 21st to the 24th there was a period of predominantly settled weather during the passage of an anticyclone over the country. However, showers occurred at times in Northland and on the Southland coast.

There was a further deterioration in the weather over Northland from the 25th to the 27th as a depression from the north Tasman Sea moved southward; rain also extended to the remainder of the Auckland Province and Hawke’s Bay. A large anticyclone was centred near the Chatham Islands, and winds were from the north-east, with warm humid weather. During the last three days of the month the two systems remained almost stationary, and rain became more or less general, with some heavy falls in Northland, Bay of Plenty, and north-west Nelson. However, parts of Canterbury and Southland received little or no rain at this time.

(N.Z. Met. S. Misc. Pub. 107.)

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.

Ministry of Works—Schedule of Civil Engineering, Building, and Housing Contracts of £10,000 or More in Value

J. T. GILKISON, Commissioner of Works.

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