WEATHER IN APRIL

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28270, 7 May 1957, Page 8

WEATHER IN APRIL

Lincoln College Report The total rainfall this year is approximately double that recorded during the same period in recent years, according to meteorological observations made at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. Heavy rain on April 17, when 185 points fell, contributed substantially to the month’s total of 3.93 inches. The very wet weather in the middle of the month, following heavy rainfall in March, caused some surface flooding in low-lying areas. However, fine, warm autumn weather in the second half of the month dried the soil to an excellent working condition. Pea stubbles have been ploughed under, and ploughing of old grass is well advanced. Pastures have continued to grow, giving farmers an abundant supply of autumn saved pastures. Potato crops dug during the month gave average yields. Production from dairy herds has been satisfactory. Ewes have thrived, but wet conditions and soft feed have not been particularly good for hoggets. In some cases it has been necessary to commence hay-feeding to help them. Gorse-cutting, ditch cleaning and general farm work are all up to date. In the home garden frosttender plants have grown longer than usual and their fruits have been harvested in good condition. Readings for the month, with figures for April, 1956, in parenthesis, were:— Mean humidity, 84.1 per cent. (86.7 per cent.); mean maximum temperature, 63.15 degrees (65.8 deg. highest maximum temperature, 87.5 degrees (77.6 deg.); mean minimum temperature, 45.64 degrees (47.9 deg. lowest minimum temperature, 27.5 degrees (33.4 deg. mean grass minimum temperature, 40.8 degrees (44.4 deg lowest grass minimum temperature, 25.5 degrees (28.5 deg.); mean temperature for month, 54.39 degrees <56.9deg.); mean range of temperature for the month, 17.51 degrees (17.8 deg. mean earth temperature, 55.02 degrees (57.0 deg. days of frost, 2 (2); rainfall, 3.93 in (1.03 in rainfall to date, 11.66 in (6.14 in hours of sunshine, 137.2 hours (105.0 hours): mean amount of cloud in eighths, 5.3 (6.13); miles of wind, 5693 (6471); mean force of wind, 0.19 (2.2); evaporation for month. 3.985 (1.682).

HAREWOOD REPORT

April was a mild, wet month with average sunshine. Both pasture and plant growth was exceptional, due again to higher air and earth temperatures than usual. The only frost of the month, on April 7, caused some damage to tender crops and plants in exposed places* The following is a summary of the weather at Harewood for April:— Highest maximum temperature, 80 degrees on April 11; lowest minimum temperature, 30.7 degrees on April 1; lowest grass minimum temperature, 27.3 degrees on April 1; rainfall for the month, 2.49 in (average, I.7in); rainy days, iC (average, 10); heaviest rainfall in 24 hours, o.Boin on April 17; sunshine, 144 hours (average, 137 hours).