APRIL WEATHER

Chronicle (Levin), 10 May 1946, Page 8

APRIL WEATHER

I Rainfall totals for the northem por- } tion of the Auckland Peninsula were two to three times the April normals, i reports the Dominion Meteorologist. | Mangonui, for example, reeeived .T'4.07 j inches, the greatest monthly total i since March, 1908. Tlio Rotorua district had about double its norma] fall. The only parts of the Nortli Island j where aiuounts did not quite attain flie no r mai were. a;bout the South. Taranaki ; Bight, between East Cape and Gisborne and in the Wairarapa. Marlbor- ' ough and most of Nelson and Canterburv had moderate surpluses, while the remainder of the South Island was deficient in rain. For Westland, the Koutliern Alps and Central Otago totals were below 50 per cent. of the normal. j The most notable rains were those oej curring on the 21st and these produeed ! flooding in parts of the Auckland Pro- | vince. ; Temp°eratures: Mean temperatures were below normal in all eastern districts from tlie Wairarapa southward : and above elsewhere, but the deviai tions were only sliglit. Sunshine: Sunshine was better than J usual in Taranaki and Westland and | about average in Otago and Southland. i Durations elsewhere were below averj age values. General: A feature of April was tke , lightness of the winds. -Westerli.es were not inuch in evidence, but easterlies | were strong at times in some exposed I localities along the east coast and in J the far north. Substantial rains fell in j districts most requiring them, but more rain is still desirod in the low country | from Tolaga Bay to Gisborne and in 1 Central Hawke's Bay. Pastures and | supplementary crops lutve done well so ! that the winter fodder position is satisi faetouy. The absence of drying .wind j and of sullicient sunshine has kept j grass too soft, and late lambs have not | t'attened as well as usual. Hovvever, I stock is reported to bc in a very-satis- ■ factory c'ondition.