WEATHER IN MAY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1926, Page 3

WEATHER IN MAY

SUMMARY FOR MONTH

WELLINGTON, June

Mr D. C. Bates’s summary of weather for Miiy states:—The month of May was remarkable for the changenbleness of the weather. The barometric pressure had a high range of over one and three-quarters of an inch in the South Island, land groat fluctuations occurred over the whole Dominion. There were three anti-cyclon-ic periods, culminating on the 7th, 17th and 31st, but between these areas of high pressure were several disturbnnes associated with stormy conditions. Extensive westerly depression ruled o»er the Dominion between the 2nd and Gth. The gradient was more severe in the north than in the south find gales, with heavy rain, were reported, especially in and north of Cook Strait. A sudden and steep fall in the barometer on the 9th accounted for boisterous conditions, and the deluge on the West Coast. The pressure then continued low, and the weather unsettled for a week. An ox-tropietd disturbance made its appearance to the ■north' of New Zealand on the 17tli and, travelling slowly south, the centre apparently passed about Cook strait on the 23rd. This, united with an Antarctic “low,” resulted in nearly a fortnight of bad weather, 'the ia nfa! 1 was much above the average in almost all parts of the Dominion, but, considering tho turbulence of the atmosphere, find partly in consequence, the temperatures were comparatively mild. There were a few sharp frosts, bu a good autumn growth of grass was reported.