DECEMBER WEATHER.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1928, Page 1

DECEMBER WEATHER.

FIIEQU ENT CYCCONES. WELLINGTON, Jan. S. As lias been remarked in the notes for previous months, a prominent characteristic of the present season has been the frequency with which cyclones have controlled the weather in New Zealand, and during .December these

conditions were, to a large extent maintained, states the Director of the Meteorological Office in liis monthly summary of the Dominion’s weather. With t lie exception of a rather intense depression which, crossed the Dominion on the Oth, the westerly type of pressure distribution was eonspicuuous by its absence. The depression mentioned caused strong northerly winds generally, and was accompanied by heavy rain in Westland-. Between the I2tb and the 19th a remarkable succession o feyeloues moved down from a northerly direction off tlie east coast of the Dominion, their centres passing just eastward of tho Chatham Islands. The precise origin of those storms is unknown, but they maintained low pressures, cold strong southerly winds, and dull, wet weather in New Zealand, especially over districts with an easterly aspect. 'Whereas our pressure variations are generally controlled mainly by systems moving [mm the west, during this very unusual spell, conditions over Australia and the Tasman Sea made little impression on the situation which had developed to the east of the Dominion. Some snow fell’ in the high country in the centre of the North Island, and some heavy rains were recorded on the east coast of the North Island. In 'Westland, though the weather was cold, no rain fell. Following the period there was a complete reversal of weather type, and the barometer rising persistently, anticyclonic conditions were maintained until Ithe 28th. Fine and warm weather was in consequence experienced over the Christmas holidays. During the night of the 28th and on the 29th fairly general rains were experienced. These were associated with a cyclone which had moved slowly across the Tasman Sea, the centre crossing the South Island on tho 29tli. The total rainfall for the month exceeded the normal in the east coast districts of the North Island from East Cape southwards and at scattered places on the past coast of the South Island only. Elsewhere it was below normal, the deficiency being considerable in all ihe western disrticts.

The weather during the month was unusually changeable, with wide variations of temperature. It was not until the latter end that summer conditions became established. Temperatures were, on the average, considerably below normal, and garden growth was again cheeked. Shearing operations in the North Island were delayed somcWi.at by the cold, wet weather. There was, however, ample feed for stock, and the season continues to be on the whole a good one.