19 NOVEMBER THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 4973

THE WEATHER IN NEW ZEALAND IN SEPTEMBER 1985

General—September was mainly dry and sunny with temperatures above average in most places.

North-easterlies were much more frequent than usual, especially over the North Island. This was due to an anticyclone which remained almost stationary to the east of the country from the 12th to the 26th. This also resulted in fewer southerly and north-westerly winds than usual.

Near gale force northerly winds occurred in the Northland and Auckland regions on the 3rd. A gust of 93 km/hr was recorded at Kaitaia Observatory, and 107 km/hr at Auckland Airport. Many power faults occurred throughout the Waitemata Power Board region, and 15 yachts and pleasure boats broke their moorings. 15 mm of rain fell between 4 and 5 p.m. at Kaitaia Observatory.

A small tornado was reported at Waitara (Taranaki) on the 4th, which demolished a haybarn.

Strong to gale force winds affected Northland and Auckland again on the 17th. At Northshore (Auckland) 5000 households were without power for hot water when strong winds forced 2 power lines together causing the hot water circuits to fuse.

Snow fell at Blenheim Airport in southerly conditions on the 6th during part of the afternoon. At 2 p.m. the air temperature was only 2°C.

Mean sea level pressures were about 2 hPa higher than average for the whole country.

Most farmers reported good lambing weather, with stock in good condition, but good rainfalls are needed in Canterbury.

Rainfall—Regions which received above average rainfall this month were Northland, parts of the Bay of Plenty, Marlborough, Nelson, and Canterbury high country regions. Cape Reinga recorded 166 percent of normal rainfall for September, Whangarei Airport 152 percent, and Lake Coleridge 178 percent of normal rainfall. A heavy fall of 67 mm was recorded at Rotorua Airport on the 3rd.

Oamaru Airport recorded only 9 mm this month (33 percent of normal). To date this year at Oamaru Airport there has been only one month with above normal rainfall. In total 42 percent of the normal rainfall has fallen. This makes this the driest year since records began in 1941.

In the North Island Napier was one of the driest places, with 20 mm (33 percent of normal).

This month some places experienced drought conditions (more than 14 days without rain). These places were:

Waipoua 17 days from the 9th to the 25th.
Ohakea 19 days from the 7th to the 25th.
Palmerston North Airport 19 days from the 7th to the 25th.
Kelburn (Wellington) *15 days from the 11th to the 25th.
Paraparaumu Airport 19 days from the 7th to the 25th.
Wellington Airport 15 days from the 11th to the 25th.
Nelson Airport 15 days from the 11th to the 25th.
Timaru Airport 20 days from the 11th to the 30th.
Dunedin Airport 15 days from the 11th to the 25th.
Queenstown Airport 15 days from the 11th to the 25th.
Alexandra 15 days from the 11th to the 25th.

*The driest period for September, equalling September 1958. Rainfall records began in 1862.

Temperatures—Over the whole country mean daily temperatures were near or above average. Day-time temperatures were up to 2°C higher than average in Central Otago. The mean daily maximum temperature at Alexandra was 17.0°C. This made Alexandra the warmest town in New Zealand during the afternoons, equal to Gisborne Airport. This was the highest mean daily maximum temperature for September at Alexandra since records began in 1929. There were also 4 days when afternoon temperatures reached 21°C or higher. A temperature of this nature is normally reached on just one day in September at Alexandra.

Mean daily temperatures were 1°C colder on the Kapiti Coast, in the Manawatu in the North Island, and in Dunedin in the South Island.

Sunshine—Sunshine hours were above average throughout the country apart from the Bay of Plenty and regions north of Auckland. Among those stations which recorded the greatest departures this month are:

Kaitaia (–42 hours, the least since records began in 1952).
Kaikoura (+33 hours).
Ohakea (+36 hours, the highest since 1965).
Christchurch Airport (+46 hours, the highest since 1958 and second highest since records began in 1949).
Dunedin Airport (+46 hours, the highest since 1963).
Kelburn (Wellington) (+68 hours, the highest since 1958, and second highest since records began in 1927).
Paraparaumu Airport (+74 hours, the highest since 1958, and second highest since records began in 1953).

J. S. HICKMAN, Director.