DECEMBER WEATHER.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18894, 8 January 1927, Page 18

DECEMBER WEATHER.

DOMINION SUMMARY. 1FH133 ASSOCIATION TILZGBAM.) WELLINGTON, January T. The following weather summary for the month of December is supplied by tho Government meteorological officer:— The rainfall during December was above the average over most parts of the Dominion, but was strikingly deficient in other districts. Falls were excessive at times in many localities. Thus, while Auckland and other places near had two and a half times their usual rainfall, Hamilton had less than the usual average fall for December. The same striking contrast is seen in comparing the total quantities in Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay, Gisborne having two and a half times its usual average, and Napier 60 per cent, above the usual, while other places inland had less than the average. Again, Dunedin had double its usual average quantity, while Invercargill had about half. The rainfall was below the average on the West Coast of the South Island, and in some parts of the North Island. Southerly winds and cold, changeable conditions prevailed during the first week of the month owing to the passage of a storm eastward of New Zealand. A barometric pressure of 28.0"in was reported frnrn the Chatham Islands on tho morning of the 3rd, while the barometric pressure in New Zealand averaged three-quarters of an inch higher. On tho 11th a westerly disturbance passed in the south and ac* counted for the strong north-west winds. Another westerly disturbance passed in the south on the 20th, and two disturbances were in evidence about Christmastide, the one in the north accounting for very heavy downpours. These two disturbances neutral- ; ised each other, however, so far as the wind i was concerned, but together accounted for the mild, dull, and wet weather. Generally, conditions were backward on j the whole, and hay-making wa» greatly in- I terfcrcd with in many parts of the country. I