JANUARY WEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1929, Page 7

JANUARY WEATHER

jxtfiifstjxg rkview. | __ I WELLINGTON, February 7. I The lollowing meteorological notes [ on the moiltli of January were issued 1 1 ».v Dr Kklsoii. Government .Meteor- - olugist, today:— ! January was a month oif contrasts, :* ' hot spell in the third week being followed hy a cold snaj) of almost wintry' severity. 'l’lie rainfall was considerably below the average in the Xorth Island, and in the western districts of the South Island, but iii Canterbury and Otago an excess was generally recorded. Once more there was an unusual frequence of thunderstorms, many of which were severe. In some cases these storms wen; accompanied by downpours resembling miniature cloudbursts. Some remarkable hailstorms also occurred, considerable damage being done in a number of instances. The storm systems were mainly centred in the far south, and were of only moderate intensity. In consequence, the prevailing weather was of the westerly type, and the storms affected principally the South Island. The high pressure centres continued to follow unusually far northward tracks for this season of the year, but they were seldom of any great intensity.

The deficiency of rainfall, following on the heavy rains of December, was not sufficient in the North Island to affect the pastures adversely, and feed is everywhere abundant. The rankness of the growth has, in places, adversely affected the raising of Ifat lambs, but the stock is, on the whole, in good condition. The hot dry weather preceding January 20th was a boon to the harvesters and haymakers, and satisfactory results are generally reported. Some crops have been flattened hy wind, hail or rain, hut the fungus diseases made much loss headway than was feared. The fruit growers do not, on the whole, appear to be experiencing quite so good a season as the other agriculturists. A very severe hailstorm, in which stones up to two inches in diameter were seen to fall, visited Otago on January 7, during the passage of a low pressure wave. A number rtf crops were totally destroyed and other dam-

age was done. On the Bth January, a deep depression was centred south of Tasmania, the l-lobart barometer reading 28.90 inches. North-westerly gales were experienced in and south of Cook Strait on this day and the next. On January 10th, a terrific thunderstorm, accompanied hy torrential rain, occurred near the Hermitage, some miles of road being washed out. The week ending on January 19th was very hot, many places in the South Island recording over 90. In the North, though the temperatures were not so high, great humidity rendering the conditions no less oppressive. I-lawke’s Bay, however, appears to have escaped much of the severity of this lu.at wave. Hie hot spell was followed hy a period of southeily winds, which gradually increased in force and brought lower and lower temperatures. An anti-cyclone ua» centred over Tasman Sea. while the pressure Hell very low to the eastward. On tho afternoon of January 28, Chatham Island reported a barometer reading of £8.78 inches. The southerly winds began to reach gale force in places on January 22nd, hut did not attain their full strength until the night of the 24th, ami tho morning of the 25th. Most districts then experienced gales, but 'from Cook Strait southwards on file Hast Coast they were exceptionally severe. High winds accompanied by high tides and a heavy swell, caused unusually rough conditions. Shipping was delayed and some vessels reported damage. Some oi the eastern suburbs of Christchurch "oie Hooded, and the. Wellington to Petone railway was again undermined m places. Snow fell on the high country on the 28id and 21th, and severe hailstorms were remarkably widespread. ]> v Jj.miary 2f,th, Hie weather was extremely cold, some stations even re-

cording frost. From the 2(ith, conditions gradually returned to normal. The month has been remarkable foi disturbed conditions in the tropics In the interior and north of Australia, the pressures were most unusual, moiisoonal conditions being strongly developed. Between January 18th ami 28rd, the low pressure conditions extended across the Pacific to beyond Samoa. At least two cyclonic ceiilrcs developed, one near the New Hebrides which ultimately passed close to Suva where the barometer fell to below 2b inches, and the other near Samoa. li is probable there were two separate centres in the latter. Fortunately llie damage done was not severe.