AUGUST WEATHER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24399, 10 September 1940, Page 9

AUGUST WEATHER

UNUSUALLY SEASON DRY CONDITIONS IN SOUTH (Per United Press association) WELLINGTON. Sept, 9. The month of August completes a remarkably good winter, during which there was unusually little storm activity. The month was on the mild side, and for most of New Zealand a dry one, but northeasterly winds and weather have given some steady, soaking rains in eastern regions of the North Island. Conditions have been ideal for calving and lambing, which have been proceeding' with the minimum of trouble. Agricultural work is well up to schedule, and the feed situation is most satisfactory, with good spring growth in almost all districts. As in the previous month domestic water shortage has been giving concern in Southland and the persistent drv conditions 4n the southeast of the South Island will become harmful if they continue much longer. Over the greater part of the country there was a rainfall deficit, but a surplus was recorded in eastern sections of the North Island from the Coromandel Peninsula southwards, with the totals in the Gisborne-East Cape area in considerable excess. Districts where the rainfall failed to reach half the normal include some western portions of the Auckland Peninsula, Northern Taranaki. and the Manawatu in the North Island, as well as Marlborough and most of the country between Ashburton and Balclutha in the south. Temperatures were fairly uniform throughout the month, and mean values showed departures generally of the order of ldeg or 2deg above normal. As in July much less snow is lying on the ranges than is usual at this season. Frosts "were fairly frequent, particularly in the first half of the month, but they were not severe. ■ . The duration of bright sunshine registered was well below the average in Nelson and Marlborough, as well as in the Southern and eastern oortions of the North Island. On the other hand, Auckland and Dunedin had a substantial excess abpve the normal amount.