METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN SOUTHLAND DURING-THE YEAR 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 891, 31 January 1868, Page 2

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN SOUTHLAND DURING- THE YEAR 1867.

General Remarks. — Compared with the previous eight years, 1867 may be described as generally fine, but on the whole the coldest year yet recorded. The rainfall was about an inch less than the average. Three years (1859-60-61) were drier, the other five were wetter. Eine weather prevailed up to the last week in July, when some severe storms occurred lasting until the end of August ; they were however much more violent and destructive in other parts of New Zealand, where heavy losses were experienced. September was remarkably fine and warm, but the three last months were cold, wet and unfavorable to an unprecedented extent, ten days in December alone excepted. Babometeb. — The mean atmospheric pressure (corrected at 32deg Fahrenheit, and reduced to sea level) was 29.794 inches ; the maximum, 30.522 inches on the 2nd of May ; the minimum, 28 825 inches on the 22nd of November : the total range was therefore 1.697 inches. The highest monthly mean was 30.184, in April ; the lowest 29.411, in November. The mean pressure exceeded 30 inches during April, May, and June. The barometer several times fell below 29 inches in October, November, and December, and in the month of November did not rise above 29.939 inches. The gale of August 6th, was preceded by a fall to 29.017, that of November 21 was followed by one to 23.825, that of December 20-21 (the severest of the year) 29.138 and the day before the short but violent northerly gale of December 29, the mercury fell .72 inches in six hours, sinking to 28.899 inches. It also fell to 29.101 at the time of the slight earthquake in October 24. Barometrical observations were only taken at the Bluff during January, February, and March, therefore no result can be deduced. Thebmombteb. — The mean temperature of the air at Martendale was 49.8 deg. which is 2.4 deg. below the average of the previous 8 years, — and nearly 5 degrees colder than 1860 and 1861. The highest day temperature in shade was 83.2 deg in Jan. 6, the lowest night temperature 21.2 deg in August 26. The total range was therefore 62 degrees, the mean daily range being 20.1 degrees. The following ore the thermometrical results in the last nine years, together with 5 months in 1858.

At the Bluff, the mean temperature was 49 0 leg — nearly a degree lower than at the inland i station. The maximum, was 79 deg ; minimum, ; 30 deg ; total range, 48 deg j mean daily range, only 98 degrees ; whereas at Martendale, it was 20*1 deg — showing in a striking manner, the equability of temperature derived from proximity to the sea. Radiation — Solar, maximum, 125*1 deg, on January 6 ; terrestrial minimum, 16*8, on June 25 — (no instruments at the Bluff). Hygrometer — The mean temperature of the dew-point, was 40*4 deg ; tension of aqueous vapor, 0*251 inch, and relative humidity -69 (LOO representing saturation). At the Bluff, the dewpoint was 398 deg ; vapor tension, 0*260 inch, and humidity, -75. Rainfall. — The total of the year was 41*629 inches on 143 days ; the greatest daily 1 alls being 1-060 inch on January 7, and l"012 inch on December 9. The result of nine years may be seen in the following table, which may be taken as the definite standard of our climate, and as such deserves a careful perusal.

The largest amounts registered in one day were 3.64 inches in January 15th 1862 ; 3.24 inches April 22, 1861 ; 3.17 inches, October 22, 1858 ; 3.12 inches, May 4, 1860 ; in 1867 the greatest was as above, 1.06 inches. At the Bluft the rainfall was no less than 89.06 inches, which fell in 202 days, another result of nearness to the sea. Greatest fall 207 inches on July 29. Evaporation. — Total amount in year 31.482 inches ; about three fourths of the precipitation (no instruments at Bluff) Amount of cloud. — (0.10) Martendale, 4.9 ; Bluff 5-4. Wind.— (lnland) W., 156 days 5 N.W., 75 ; S.E., 68; E., 40 ; N., 22; S.S.W., andN.E., 14 altogether ; (Coast) iW., 110 days ; S.W., 73 ; N.W., 50 ; S.E., 43 ; E., 38 ; N.E., 32 ; S., 15 j and N., 7 days. Anemometer — Mean daily horizontal movement of air, 134 miles ; maximum, 694 miles, on December 21 : greatest pressure of wind, 23'81bs, on same day. Miceedaneous — There were 54 frosty nights, and 5 foggy days ; snow fell on 6 days, and hail on 23 j 7 thunderstorms occurred. At the Bluff, there were only 4 frosty nights, but 36 fogey days : snow fell on 2 days, hail on 43 ; and there were 7 thunderstorms, as at Martendale. The Bluff observations were taken at the signal station on the summit of the hill, by Captain Macdonald, with verified instruments. The results are deduced by myself from formulae compiled by Admiral Fitzroy and Mr Q-laisher. Charles Eotrs Marten, Director of Meteorological Stations. Southland.

a 1867 ... 41-629 inches ... 143 ... 222 1866 ... 47-214 „ ... 136 ... 228 1865 ... 63-683 „ ... 217 ... 148 1864 ... 51-159 „ ... 167 ... 199 1863 ... 53031 „ ... 180 ... 185 1862 ... 47270 „ ... 180 ... 185 1861 ... 27-510 „ ... 67 ... 298 1860 ... 29-320 „ ... 65 ... 301 1859 ... 22-710 „ ... 86 ... 279

U U 1 1867 ... 832 ... 21-2 ... 498 1866 ... 85*4 ... 20*1 ... 50 7 1865 ... 850 ... 241 ... 609 1864 ... 83-2 ... 17*0 ... 520 1863 ... 90-0 ... 17-0 ... 50-4 1862 ... 840 ... 90 „. 6V2 1861 ... 940 ... 20*0 ... 54-3 1860 ... 950 ... 140 ... 54-1 185J ... 92-0 ... 12-0 ... 536 1858 (5 months 98*0 .„ 20*0 .., —.