2192
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
No. 73

CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLE—Summary of the Records of Temperature, Rainfall, and Sunshine for October 1964—continued

Supplementary data, sunshine: Foxton, 210 hrs.

LATE RETURNS

| Temuka, Aug 1964 | .. | 80 | 47·7 | 30·8 | 39·2 | .. | 61·8 | 12 | 24·8 | 16 | 0·23 | 3 | .. | 0·17 | 4 | .. |
| Paeroa, Sep 1964 | .. | 27 | 60·5 | 43·9 | 52·2 | +0·2 | 66·4 | 29 | 29·8 | 4, 5 | 4·61 | 19 | +0·8 | 0·64 | 23 | .. |
| Manaia, Sep 1964 | .. | 320 | .. | 44·5 | .. | .. | 62·9 | 30 | 28·8 | 5 | 6·77 | 21 | +2·6 | 1·15 | 1 | .. |

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 OCTOBER 1964

General: In eastern districts of the South Island, October, like most of the previous months of the year, was unusually dry. In these areas shortages of feed and water were reported. On the other hand, over most of the Auckland Province it was wetter than usual, as in the three previous months, and many farmers were finding the ground too wet. Over the remainder of the North Island and in Nelson conditions were reasonably satisfactory for stock and crops.

Rainfall: Rainfall was less than half the average value in Otago and Canterbury; also on the Kaikoura coast, about Wellington city, and in parts of Southland. Greatest deficiencies were recorded in Central Otago and inland North Otago and on the North Canterbury coast. Elsewhere in the South Island rainfall was mainly somewhat below normal, but over most of the Nelson Province it was above average. In northern districts of the North Island, as far south as Hamilton, Rotorua, and Tolaga Bay, and also in parts of northern Wairarapa, it was also wetter than average, mainly by 50 per cent. Elsewhere in the North Island rainfall was somewhat below normal.

The passage of a trough of low pressure associated with very strong north-westerly winds caused unusually heavy rainfall in and east of the Tararua on the 24th, resulting in serious flooding in the Wairarapa. Eketahuna (northern Wairarapa) received 9·46 in. during two days.

The total rainfall for Oamaru for April to October was 5·03 in. the lowest seven-monthly total for this station in nearly a century of observations. The total rainfall for Alexandra for the 12 months ending 31 October 1964 was 6·59 in., the lowest yet recorded for any part of New Zealand over a period of 12 months.

Temperatures: Temperatures were mainly close to average.

Sunshine: Sunshine was above average by 15 to 40 hours in the provinces of Canterbury and Marlborough, and also in western districts from Wellington to New Plymouth, and in southern Hawke’s Bay. Elsewhere it was mainly close to average. However, in Southland, in the Southern Lakes district and around Dunedin it was 15 to 30 hours below average; while in northern Northland it was 15 hours below average.

Weather Sequence: At the beginning of the month a depression was passing just to the south of Southland. The associated trough of low pressure brought rain to most western districts, also to coastal Southland and to central districts of the North Island. A weak ridge brought mainly fair weather on the 2nd. However, a depression with an associated trough was moving over the Tasman Sea and by the 3rd it was affecting the West Coast. As the trough crossed the country during the next two days, many other areas received some rain, but most of Otago, Canterbury, and Hawke’s Bay remained dry.

A small depression which passed close to Northland during the 6th and 7th brought rain over the greater part of the Auckland Province; while at the same time a trough crossed the South Island, bringing further rain to the West Coast and the Southland coast and some light falls also to parts of Otago and Canterbury. For the next four days the weather was more settled as an anticyclone crossed the country and moved to the east. However, some showers were reported in a few areas on the 8th, and in Gisborne also on the 9th.

By the 12th a deep depression covered the Tasman Sea and rain set in once again over the North Island and in Nelson and Marlborough, with some considerable falls in Northland and Bay of Plenty. By the 14th the depression, now losing intensity, was close to the North Island, and a new centre soon formed to the east. For three days rain was fairly general; it was particularly welcome in Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury, where for many districts this was the only good rain during the month.

From the 17th to the 20th another depression from the Tasman Sea crossed the Auckland Province, with further rain there, including some considerable falls on the 19th and 20th in Bay of Plenty. Some other areas, were also affected part of the time, especially other North Island districts, Nelson and the West Coast.

During the 21st and 22nd a deep depression passed far to the south, and the associated trough of low pressure brought some rain to many parts of the country. However, most eastern districts and parts of Nelson and Marlborough were not affected. Another complex trough of low pressure which crossed the country during the next three days brought a somewhat similar distribution of rainfall. Very strong westerly to north-westerly winds caused some unusually heavy falls about the Tararua Ranges, with serious flooding in the Wairarapa and some flooding also in the Manawatu River.

For the last five days of the month an anticyclone brought mainly fair or fine weather.

R. G. SIMMERS, Director.
(N.Z. Met. S. Misc. Pub. 107)

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