22 OCTOBER

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLE--Summary of the Records of Temperature, Rainfall, and Sunshine for September 1964--continued

LATE RETURNS

Supplementary data, sunshine: Foxton, 155 hrs.

NOTE--An asterisk beside the difference from normal indicates that the figures are based on provisional normals. Rainfall normals refer to the standard period 1921-50. Where observations are not available for the whole period, or where the site of the rain-gauge has been changed, the normals are partly interpolated.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR SEPTEMBER 1964

General: September was the third successive month with an unusually high frequency of winds from a westerly quarter. As a result farmers were finding the ground too wet in most western districts of the North Island; while in many parts of Canterbury and Otago there was a serious shortage of feed and good rain was urgently needed.

The month opened with two days of the coldest weather of the year, bringing unusually heavy snow to eastern and central districts of the North Island. It was reported to be a foot deep in some towns in the high country and down to sea-level in parts of Hawke's Bay. Considerable stock losses were reported, especially new-born lambs.

In the South Island lambing was completed under favourable conditions.

Rainfall: Rainfall was more than 50 per cent above average over the whole of Taranaki, and in surrounding areas extending as far north as Manukau Harbour, as far east as Rotorua and the Ruahine Range, and as far south as the mouth of the Rangitikei River; also in Southern Manawatu and Wellington and parts of Wairarapa; and in Buller. Greatest excesses were recorded in Taumarunui and eastern Taranaki.

Rainfall was more than 25 per cent below average in most southern and eastern districts of the South Island and in parts of Marlborough and Nelson; also in most of Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. In a few areas of Central Otago, especially just south and west of Alexandra, rainfall was less than a quarter of the average value.

For the four months June-September the total rainfall at Ashburton was only 4·47 in. and at Alexandra only ·92 in. The total at Alexandra for the 12 months ending September 1964 was only 7·08 in., the lowest yet recorded for any part of New Zealand over a period of 12 months.

Temperatures: In the North Island temperatures were about average. In the South Island they were mainly a degree above average.

Sunshine: Over most of the North Island and in Southland, Nelson, and Buller, sunshine was below average, mainly by 10 to 30 hours. Greatest deficiencies were recorded at Hamilton and Westport. Over the remainder of the South Island and in Northland and Gisborne sunshine was about average, or 10-20 hours above.

Weather Sequence: The month opened with the coldest weather of the year for two days, as a vigorous cold front crossed the country and a depression formed to the east of the North Island. Snow was reported in the high country of this island, a foot deep in some towns in the Taumarunui-Taihape area; and it was also reported down to sea-level in parts of Hawke's Bay. Other parts of the North Island received rain; while light rain and snow also affected some southern and eastern districts of the South Island. As the depression moved away during the 3rd and 4th the weather improved over most of the North Island, but showers persisted in many eastern and southern districts of both islands.

During the 5th and 6th a trough of low pressure brought general rain, except in parts of Canterbury and Hawke's Bay. There was a temporary improvement on the following day in many districts, but rain persisted on the West Coast and on the Southland and Otago coasts with the approach of another trough. The passage of this trough on the 8th brought general rain once again, but it was light in eastern districts. As the trough moved away, south-westerlies set in, with showers in many coastal districts, and also in Northland and the central high country of the North Island. With rising pressures on the 10th, conditions improved and showers became more scattered. During the next two days an anticyclone passed over Northland with settled weather over the whole country, apart from further rain in Westland and Fiordland and some light falls on parts of the Southland coast.

From the 13th to the 16th a trough of low pressure crossed the country, associated with a deep depression far to the south; and a small secondary depression later formed over Northland. At first there was considerable rain in the west of both islands, but only scattered falls in the east. As the secondary depression developed, during the 15th and 16th, the weather cleared south of Hokitika and Christchurch, while rain became general over the North Island, with some considerable falls in southern and central districts of this island and in Bay of Plenty.

The 17th to the 26th was a period of westerly weather. It started with the passage of a trough of low pressure associated with a depression off the Southland coast. Rain was reported in eastern areas from Oamaru to Wairoa. As the depression moved away, from the 18th to the 20th, winds became westerly to south-westerly, with showers in western areas and also in Northland and Bay of Plenty. Some snow was reported in the central North Island high country. Another trough which crossed the country on the 21st brought more rain, but eastern districts from Timaru to Gisborne again remained dry. From the 22nd to the 24th a deep depression was centred far to the south-west and yet another trough of low pressure crossed the country with further considerable rain but again little or none in eastern districts. During the next two days further weak troughs affected mainly the West Coast.

The passage of an anticyclone over the country brought fine weather from the 27th to the 29th. However, on the last day of the month a deep depression was centred near Campbell Island, and the associated trough of low pressure brought rain once again, except in eastern districts from Dunedin to Gisborne.

R. G. SIMMERS, DIRECTOR.

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

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