26 SEPTEMBER THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 1669

CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLE—Summary of the Records of Temperature, Rainfall, and Sunshine for August 1968—continued

LATE RETURNS

Tairua Forest, July 1968 .. | 11 | 56.8 | 42.1 | 49.4 | +1.0 | 63.1 | 24 | 28.6 | 5 | 8.66 | 18 | +1.6 | 2.09 | 9 | ..
Kaweka Forest, July 1968.. | 1,358| 51.2 | 40.7 | 46.0 | .. | 59.1 | 15 | 32.0 | 19 | 8.92 | 12 | .. | 2.05 | 8 | ..
Wharite Peak, July 1968 .. | 3,000| 40.7 | 33.2 | 37.0 | .. | 54.6 | 23 | 26.5 | 27 | 8.26 | 24 | .. | 1.60 | 9 | ..

The “normal” refers to the present site of the instruments. The standard periods for normals are: for temperature 1931–60, for rainfall 1921–59, and for sunshine 1935–60. No normals are available for stations with only short records.

The sunshine recorder is not located at the station, but is in the near vicinity.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR AUGUST 1968

General—August was a mild month, especially in the South Island. Conditions were mainly very favourable for lambing; otherwise farming conditions were rather variable, with a lack of feed in some areas.

Rainfall—In the North Island rainfall was above average, mainly by 50 percent, in districts as far south as Kawhia, Ruapehu, and Waipukurau. In the South Island it was above average by a similar amount in western districts and in Nelson; also in most of South Canterbury, North and Central Otago.

Over the remainder of the country rainfall was below normal, mainly about 40 percent. A considerable part of North Canterbury received less than a quarter of the average value, with totals between half an inch and an inch.

Some very heavy rain fell in South Westland during 10–12 August. Stations at Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier each received over 14 in. during these 3 days.

Temperatures—Temperatures were 1–3 degrees above average over most of the South Island, highest departures being in inland districts. They were also 1–2 degrees warmer than usual in some western and inland districts of the North Island. Elsewhere they were slightly above average.

The coldest period was from the 14th to the 20th, with southerly to easterly winds predominating over the North Island.

Sunshine—Sunshine was mainly close to average. However, western districts of the North Island from Waitomo to Manawatu and parts of Otago were favoured with 15–35 hours more than usual. On the other hand, in parts of Southland sunshine was 15–20 hours below average.

Weather Sequence—The month commenced with a depression to the east of Gisborne, another depression far to the south, and a trough lying across New Zealand from north to south. During the first two days a depression formed over the North Island and moved south-eastward, causing rain as far south as Christchurch and Hokitika. Another depression formed to the east of the North Island and for the next 2 days there were persistent west to south-west winds, with rain in southern and western districts of both Islands and in Northland. On the 5th a deep depression passed near Campbell Island, and rain spread further eastward over the country—still, however, missing most districts on and near the east coasts.

From the 6th to the 9th an anticyclone passed across the North Island and to the east. The weather was mainly fine but rain was reported on the West Coast, especially in Fiordland and South Westland.

During the next 2 days a deep depression passed far to the south-west, while the associated trough of low pressure moved eastward across the country, the winds remaining mainly from the northerly quarter. Rain was reported on the West Coast, being particularly heavy in South Westland. Some light falls also occurred in Bay of Plenty and Nelson. On the 12th and 13th the trough was stationary through Westland and South Canterbury, with depressions forming on it. Rain became general, except in Southland and eastern districts from Ashburton northward.

The period from the 14th to 20th was marked by a cold spell, with winds from a southerly quarter predominating. At first a ridge extended over part of the country from the west while pressures were low to the east; and some showers were reported, especially in eastern districts of the North Island. On the 15th the ridge still covered part of the country, but a depression had moved close to Northland causing rain there, while a weak trough brought showers to the Southland coast. For the next 4 days an anticyclone extended on to the South Island from the west, while the depression over Northland moved slowly eastward. The weather was particularly unsettled in Northland, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay, with some heavy rain; while elsewhere in the North Island and on the Kaikoura coast and in North Canterbury there was rain at times. On the 20th a ridge of high pressure extended over the country from an anticyclone centred to the south. Some showers were still reported from Wellington to East Cape.