SEPTEMBER WEATHER

Evening Star, Issue 22464, 8 October 1936, Page 14

SEPTEMBER WEATHER

FREQUENT RAIN [Pee United Press Association-.] WELLINGTON, October 6. The Dominion Meteorologist reports ay follows for the month of September ; Spring characteristics were very strongly developed in the weather for September. Pressure was almost continually low in the south, and there was consequently a persistence of westerly winds, which were frequently strong and squally. The weather changed rapidly, and there were few days on which western and southern districts failed to experience a certain amount of rain. East of the ranges conditions were finer and more sunny. Until September 19 temperatures were generally low, and, although the last 10 days were milder, they did not quite make up for the earlier cold. The wet and cold weather retarded growth of vegetation in western and southern districts of the South Island, and over most of the North Island, where frosts were rather numerous. In Hawke’s Bay, about Wellington, in Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds there was rapid growth, and the season is well advanced. There is no shortness of feed for stock anywhere, though in some places it is rather soft. Stock arc reported to be in good condition, and the lambing season, in spite of some losses due to cold and strong wind, appears to bje progressing satisfactorily. In eastern districts of the North Island a good, warm rain would be beneficial, while in western districts and the high' country generally a spell of dry sunny weather is desired.

Though there were no very heavy general falls, rain was frequent throughout the month in all districts with a westerly aspect, and most of Otago and Southland. In eastern districts from Canterbury northwards and also in the Bay of Plenty area and Nelson the totals were generally below average. Elsewhere they were above, the month being very wet in Western Otago and Southland. Temperatures were everywhere below normal, though the departures were not large. In western districts they were generally about l.Gdeg, but elsewhere seldom as much as one degree.

The persistent westerly weather caused a lack of sunshine on the west coast of the South Island and in Southland, while, according to the New Plymouth record, Taranalki recorded about the average amount. Elsewhere totals were above_ average, and eastern districts experienced a very sunny month. Blenheim had 225.6 hours, and Napier 210.6.

The_ sequences of pressure changes experienced throughput the month were remarkably constant in character and typical of spring. The anti-cyclones all passed well to the north of New Zealand, and a series of westerly depressions, each followed by several secondaries,' moved rapidly from the west apross the South Island. Winds blew almost continuously from some westerly quarter, and gales were frequent in some part or other of the Dominion. During the first few days cold southwesterlies prevailed. Conditions were especially boisterous on September 3 to September 4, when there were wide-, spread falls of snow in both islands. There was some variation in the type of weather from September 21 to 25. An intense anti-cyclone was centred near Chatham Islands from September 22 to 24. This brought northerly winds and warmer weather over New Zealand. A shallow cyclone developed just to the north-west of the Dominion and moved in an eas.-south-easterly direction across the Bay of Plenty. By September 26, however, the westerly type of weather was again fully restored. Thunder and hailstorms were rather numerous during the month, especially in western districts, and a tornado occurred near Tauranga on September 10. In addition to that mentioned in reference to September 3 and 4. snow fell on the high country on September 6, 18, and 26 and 27. At the end of the month the ranges were well coated.