JUNE WEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1930, Page 7

JUNE WEATHER

COLDEST FOR MANY YEARS,

SOME STORMY PERIOD'S

WELLINGTON, July 8.

The weather report issued by I)i

Kidson, Director of Meieorologioa, Services, says that the June just past

ivas the coldest for a number of

years. Though the weather was at times stormy and showery conditions prevailed iri many places, the rainfall generally was much below normal, and there was a large amount of sunshine. Rainfalls in excess of the average were experienced in North Auckland and about Foveaux Strait. At Tauranga also, largely owing to a fall of 0.45 inches on the 20th, 'there was an excess. In 'all other parts there was a considerable deficit. This was most accentuated in Nelson and Marlborough, and /the interior of the South Island, where much of the weather was beautifully fine. At Nelson it was the driest June on record. The cold weather was accounted for by the marked prevalence of southerly winds during the month. Temperatures were from Ideg. Fahr. to 2.sdeg, Fahr. below normal, and frosts were everywhere ;very numerous, often severe, Vegetation made little growth, and winter feeding of stock hajs been resorted to in many cases. Owing to the abundance of rough autumn feed and good reserves of hay, ensilage, etc., stock mostly are in good condition. In parts of .the Waikato some growth of grass is recorded, and, prospects are very favourable. On the whole, however, winter growth has been poor, and the rainfall deficient, so that some warm spring rains will be badly needed. The month began with- a vigorous cyclone operating on the coast of New South Wales, where severe floods had been caused by continued heavy rains. This main cyclone lost its energy to a large extent before reaching New Zealand;- and passing north of the Dominion oh the night of the 3rd affected our weather comparatively little. Easterly gales blew north of Auckland, and .short-lived southeasterlies' in Cook Strait. ■ This storm was followed by a series of similar ones, which la'sted until the 7th. They all took a northward track, and except to produce southerly winds and cold weather, continued to have little influence on the South Island. Heavy rains were recorded between the 3rd and sth in North Auckland. The Puhipulii plantation had 13.73 inches during this period, of which 6.35 inches fell on the 4tli. On the Bth another depression of the cyclonic form appeared in the Tasman Sea> arid deepening) considerably during the next two days, crossed the North Island from Cape E'gmoilt to Napier on the 10th, Rain was fairly geporal, and there were some heavy f&lla, particularly in Taranaki and northern and north-western portions of the South Island. There were westerly gales in North Auckland on the 10th during the passage of the centre, and on 'the following day southerly gales were widespread. Pressure became very high over the Tasman Sea ibllowing the passage of the cyclone, while it remained low to the east of New Zealand. Strong southerly winds continued in consequence until the 14th, with bitterly cold weather. The gale on th e 1-lth was severe, and slight damage was done. The ferry steamer between Wellington and Lyttelton experienced delays. Snow fell on the high country as far north as East Cape, while in Canterbury ana Otago it extended to parts of the lowlands. Mount Egtnont had the heaviest snowfall for years. Hail and sleet were recorded at many places.

The third .period of stormy weather occurred from the 20th to the 25th. A depression which crossed the Dominion on the 20th again assumed cyclonic form. liains were practically general over the North Island, but more scattered in the South. Particularly heavy falls were recorded in Auckland province, the majority of places receiving over two inches. The highest registration was 7.06 inches at Okere Falls, near liotorua, but Tauranga, as already noted, received 6.45 inches, and Wailii 5.14 inches. There were boisterous westerly winds also in the Auckland, Thames, and East Coast districts on the 20th, slight damage being done. Another spell of strong southerly Winds and cold temperatures followed. The 21st was a particularly bitter day, especially in Canterbury, (Otago, and (Southland. Heavy falls of snow occurred almost everywhere in these provinces, while tnei-e weio frequent showers of hail or s/eet. Snow and hail continued to be experienced in the south at intervals until the 25th. The conditions appear to have been most severe in the district round Gore. A severe thunderstorm occurred in Foveaux Strait during a west south-westerly gale at 5 a.in. on the 25th, when Dog Island lighthouse was struck. It was not until the 26th that the southerlies died down in Foveaux Strait region. Although there was an unusual frequency of hail and snowstorms during the month, the accumulation of snow on the ranges does not appear to have been heavy except at ■a few places.