ABNORMALLY DRY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 89, 9 January 1935, Page 6

ABNORMALLY DRY

Weather in December

NEW ZEALAND CONDITIONS

December was a very dry and sunny month throughout New Zealand, says Dr. E. Kidson. Director of Meteorological Services, in bis monthly review. The effect of the dry weather was accentuated by the very high temperatures ruling, but, on the other hand, was somewhat mitigated by the unusual absence of wind. It was the hottest December ever recorded in New Zealand, and no other month has exhibited so large a difference from Its corresponding normal. Pastures have become parched and brown and fruits and crops have ripened and plants flowered In an immature condition. Root crops have germinated badly in many places. The milk yield has fallen off considerably, and lambs are not fattening so well as previously. Otherwise stock are in good condition. In North Auckland and at scattered places elsewhere, the general conditions were reversed and there is still plenty of green pasture. The Auckland Peninsula, especially the northern portion, had a very wet month, but in all other major divisions of the country the average rainfall deficiency was large. This was particularly the case from the Wellington province southward. Even where heavy falls occurred they were generally of a local character and less benefit was derived from them than if the rain had been general. In parts of the central plateau of the North Island, in the Opotiki district, and in much of Otago and Southland. conditions were better than elsewhere. The lowest rainfalls were experienced near Wellington, on the Wairau Plains and in parts of Canterbury. Several places near Wellington, much of Banks Peninsula, and the Lake Coleridge area recorded none at all. Temperatures High Everywhere. The mean temperatures were everywhere much above normal, and most places experienced the hottest December on record. In no other month since recording began has the average departure from normal over the Dominion, whether positive or negative, been so high. In numbers of districts the mean was 7deg. F. or more above the average. Many high individual temperatures were recorded, but the most noticeable feature was the uniform conditions with persistently high readings. The coldest spell,occurred on the 9th and 10th, but minimum temperatures below 50deg. F. were Infrequent in all districts. Abundant sunshine was experienced in most places, and several had their .highest monthly total on record. Nelson reports 336.0 hours, Blenheim 322.8, and Wellington 313.7. Pressure Systems. Extremely uniform pressure conditions were experienced with rather high readings riding. The outstanding feature of the situation was the almost continuously high pressure to the eastward as shown by the reports from Chatham Island. At the same time low pressure prevailed over Australia. As a result the prevailing.wind was a north-easterly and westerlies were conspicuous by their absence. Depressions which were deep and productive of much rain over eastern Australia and the Tasman Sea became shallow and lost energy as they approached New Zealand. The anti-cyclones, except for one in the middle of the month, passed In higher latitudes than usual. There was no really stormy weather, and scarcely a gale was reported. There were strong Southerly winds on several occasions over the Tasman Sea, but they fell away on reaching the Dominion, and no strong southerly invasion and no really cold weather was experienced. The conditions in some respects resembled those In the sub- ■ tropics. There were high temperatures, and the atmosphere was frequently humid. The rains that fell were always somewhat sporadic in character, there being many isolated heavy falls but no general rains. Thunderstorms were very numerous and frequent, especially in the high country of the North Island and of Nelson. During the first ten days disturbed weather persisted over the Tasman Sea, a deep cyclone developing in the northern portion. As the remains of this passed by to the north, very heavy rain fell in North Auckland, severe floods being experienced in the extreme north. A shallow depression followed closely on the above, and on the llth occurred the nearest approach to general fain. As this depression passed eastward. also, the barometer at Chatham Island showed the only considerable fall recorded during the month. Several other slight disturbances passed, and from Christmas time onward conditions became increasinly unsettled, with many local thunderstorms. •