APRIL WEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1931, Page 5

APRIL WEATHER

DR. KIDSON’S REVIEW. AVELLINGTON, May 6. Dr. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, in his notes on the weather for April, says:—Though the weather for the greater part of April was fine and mild, with an absence of strong winds, there were three stormy periods, and a fourth commencing at the end of the month Two of the stormi were of unusual'severity. The temperatures were again helow norma! in the North Island. "Hie departures were mainly slight, hut in the South Island they were considerable. Over the greater part ef the North Island the rainfall was considerably above normal, but deficiencies occurred in the extreme north. Jn< the South Island. Golden Bay and Marlborough and the extreme northern part of Canterbury had considerably above the average, but over the remainder low rainfalls were experienced. The first of the storms referred to, occurred on the 2nd and 3rd, about Cook Strait. The most severe northerly gale for many years was recorded. The rain was practically general, but in the Tararua Mountains and where tile ranges of Northern Nelson and Marlborough faced the wind directly. the falls were of unprecedented magnitude. Unfortunately, the total fall was registered at few stations, owing to the gauges overflowing, or being washed away. Some of the total registrations for the 2nd and 3rd were: —Over 8.75 inches at Collingwood, over 24.05 inches at Blenheim: 16.84 inches at Karamea: 10.2 i inches at Millerton ; 15.15 inches at Tiroroa : 11.1 inches at Otira, and 13.55 inches at Yneyca Bay, in the Marlborough Sounds.

The second st6rmv period occurred between the 7th and the 11th. Many heavy rainfalls were recorded in the North Island. In the far north the gales were from the west, hut in the central and southern portions of the Dominion they were southerly. On the 18th another Repression moved into the Dominion and a cyclone centre was located in its northern portion. ' H passed between Cane Maria .Van Dieman and 1 Norfolk Island on the 19th. It was responsible for somo •: verv heavy rains especially in the northern and western ; districts V pf ; the ; «> North Island. On the;3oth"there was sf general tain, caused by depression..approaching from the Tasman- I Sea'.; The month closed with stormy conditions prevailing, r,; : wAtjlf taC ip