MODERATE RAINFALL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20009, 7 August 1939, Page 6

MODERATE RAINFALL

EAST COAST FIGURES UNUSUALLY COLD MONTH The East Coast generally experienced moderate rainfall in July and one of the highest totals was returned by -Matarau station, Hicks Bay, where 8.55 in. was recorded for 17 wet days, compared with 17.34 in. for 16 wet days in July, 1938. The period was unusually cold, with a frost of 14 degrees on July 27 and snow on July 30 and 31, that being the third fall of snow the station had experienced in 30 years. The wettest day during the month was July 12. when 1.78 in. of rain was gauged. For the year to date Matarau has had an aggregate of 34.41 in. of rain, as against 88.85 in. for the first seven months of 1938. Pakihiroa station, inland from- Ruatoria, experienced 5.94 in. of rain in July for 15 rain days, compared with 23.47,in. for 21 wet days in the corresponding month last year. The heaviest fall} for a. 24-ihour period was 1.32 in. on July 12. The total rainfall from January .1 to July 31 was 37.52 in., whereas last year the seven months’ aggregate was 101.89 in. Ruangarehu station, in the Tokomaru Bay district, reported having experienced the driest July since 1924. Last month’s total was 3.5 in. for 13 rain days, compared with 21.92 in. for 24 wet days in July, 1938, and 3.22 in. in July, 1924. The average July total for the past 15 years was lO.llin. and! the record tally in that period was 22.58 in. for July, 1923.

The heaviest day’s rain at Ruangarehu station Last month was 1.21 in., on July 12. The station has recorded a total of 29in. for the year to date, as against 87.78 in. for the 1938 period between January and July.