MARCH WEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1927, Page 3

MARCH WEATHER

- Tin TELEGRAPH— PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.j WELLINGTON. April 7. • he weather summary tor the month ot .Maioti. .Mr I). G. Bates. Dominion Mletooi'O'lngisL. reports was as follows: .Marco is regarded as the first month "f Autumn in these latitudes, hut the earlier halt was decidedly Summer like, nal'ii. Harm and lair generally. 'The latter part ot the mouth, however, was quite different in chameter, cold, unsetlled and a boisterous unitrust between the two periods was marked and observed.

Otago found the average temperature ol the first hall ten degrees higher than that of the latter, though one westerly “lon passed on the lfitli and was soon succeeded by a more violent and extensive disturbance of a similar type.

Ihe lowest reading of the barometer uas 28.95jus and was recorded at 3 p.m. cm tlie 2l)th at Bluff and this storm was apparently affiliated to the cyclonic (list urhaiiees, the centre of

which passed over the South Island. ’I he lowest atmospheric pressure was 2S.fi.lius. being observed at Christ-

church at 7 p.m. on the 22nd. These storms will he remembered by being associated with the close of the Royal visit, though popularly described and recognised as “equinoctial" and not. without the same justification, for there have been in the past years sclera! not a hie storms about this time of the equinox, 'the greatest time was in Rl|S causing llie Raetilii tuish lire.

yd there is not an apparent seien lllii reason, for associating these dis lurbanivs with tiie solar crossing o

tlie equator and their occurrence must still he regarded as fortuitous. The 28i:h witnessed the passing ot the trough of another westerly or antnicie “low" after which the barometer rose steadily with strong southerly winds Bringing a cold snap at ih ' close of the month. I hole were slight I'rests and slum was tell rather low down on the southern mountains with the exception of the East Coasts ot both Islands. The rainfall was genernllv much above the nverag::. ft was indeed excessive on the higher levels and southern most parts of the South Island. The Intel fall for Die month at Arthur’s Russ nils 3G.32 inches. ot which 10.15 inches feel on 23rd. and of this B.fig iuclcs was registered in nine hours, bloods were reported in t fie AVaimakariri and other rivers on this account and thole was also a big flood ill Marlborough at this time. Tlie westerly gales were troublesome to orchardists.' for apples in parlicula’ had not quite matured. The heat and dryness of the summer however let! a. warm soil, on which the rains produced ii profuse anil wonderful growth of autumn pasturage.