THE WEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1932, Page 6

THE WEATHER

FOR OCTOBER, 1932,

General. —October was a particularly favourable spring month, the principal features of which were generally mild temperatures, a good rainfall in. those districts where it was mo t l-equiied, and, an labsence of strong, drying winds ueuady SO prevalent at this tune of the year. Alter a, succession of dry, cold months, rain came at .a time when the soil whs in an ideal condition to receive it, and as a remit, vegeta tion made phenomenal growth. Stock are now in rplendid condition and there has been a remarkable increase in dairy production. Rainfall.—The total rainfall was considerably _ above th e average in the eastern districts of the South Island, parts of Canterbury having more than double the usual amount. It was aiso in excess over much of the Taranaki and Wellington provinces but elsewhere, except at isolated places, below normal falls were recorded. The deficiency was greatest in the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay districts in the North Inland, and in Otago, Southland, and South Westland in the 'South Island, but oven * these districts there were ioccLsional useful falls. Temperature.— Temperatures were nearly .everywhere above the average, the departure being over one degree, abd in places, up to tlwo degrees m the North Island. In the South Island, the we tern districts had much warmer conditions than usual while in Otago it was slightly warmer, but in Canterbury it was again colder, although The difference fiom normal was', nowhere gueat. No severe frosts occurred. Sunshine.—Over the greater part o the Dominion sunshine was less than the average, the only meteorologies stations with an excess being Auckland, New Plymouth 'and Irivercargil.l The deficiency wr, s -small in the North Island and in Marlborough, but parts of Canterbury had particularly low aggregates. Pressure Systems.—The month as a, whole was free from severe widespread storms. During the fir?t meek an anticyckpe 'ruled -and fine, pleasant weather was general. From the 7th •to 13th,. ■■ ■» s e rie, s of moderate westerly depressions crossed the Dominion, and somewhat changeable weather., was experienced, although rainfall during this per'o was confined chiefly to districts with a westerly aspect. After the 15th a succession of depression, chiefly of cyclonic form, advanced over the Tasman Sea and New Zealand, and except for a few brief, fine intervals, the weather continued to be. dull and unsettled until the 27th. . Rain .fell at times m nearly all districts, and between the 21st and 26th Canterbury received ?ome’ heavy downpours with cold easterly to southerly winds. 'By the 28th the last of the series of cycloftes had passed eastwards and ft. 'westerly type of proS sure prevailed from then until the cl-o e of the month. Rather widespread rain fell 0 n the 29th, : but on the 28th and the last two days the. weather was generally fair. Associated with a rather intense cyclone which moved across northern New Zealand on the 21th and 25th, there were- thunderstorms in various parts of the northern and central areas of the North -Island. , A particularly sudden and -heavy downpour of ram occurred in the Wood-vibe district between 1 and 2 p.m. on the 25th. Also between Warkworth and Mahurangi Heads on the morning of the same day, a tornado wa s experienced which pnroofed several buildings and uprooted trees in the district.