SPRING-LIKE AUGUST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1070, 6 September 1930, Page 10

SPRING-LIKE AUGUST

MILD AND PLEASANT MONTH DR. KIDSON’S REPORT Press Association WELLINGTON, Today.

Dr. K. Jvidson, director of the Meteorological Service, reports that meteorologically August in New Zealand is generally considered to be the last of the winter months, but the one just passed has been characterised by distinctly spring-like weather, more especially during the latter half. Temperatures were cold in the early part of the month when some rather severe frosts occurred at places most subject to them, but on the whole conditions were mild for the time of year.

Tho rainfall exceeded the normal in i nearly all parts of the North Island j although at a few places in the Auck- j land Province there was a deficiency. ! In tho South Island tho totals Avert* I abnormal in the eastern portion from j Marlborough to Dunedin, while in all the western half and the greater por- j tion of Otago and Southland they were beloAV normal. At Nelson City the : amount of rain recorded during the 1 past three months is the lowest for this period since the records were i begun in 1883. Owing to the almost con- j tinued loav rainfall sinco January the I subsoil in Central Otago has become ; dry for a considerable depth. Mild temperatures and ample rainfall induced marked growth in pastures in most districts. Compared with the corresponding time last year, the se.ason is in this respect further advanced, and consequently stock in general is in good condition, and at tho close of the month prospects for the lambing season and for dairying appeared excellent. The finest weather occurred between August 13 and August 23, the only interruption being due to the passage of a shallow cyclone over the South Island on the night of August 16, and during August 17, when a fairly general, but light rain fell. The most notable pressure disturbance affecting the Dominion during the months was an intense | and extensive cyclone which, ad- ; vancing over the , Northern Tasman Sea on August 3, moved gradually on to New Zealand. Its central portion crossed the Cook Strait region during the night of August 6, and the barometer readings were very low Avhile it was passing. On the I morning of August 6 the Chatham Islands reported a pressure of 25.90 inches.

General rains occurred during August 4 and 5 with many heavy falls. Three days of ceaseless rain at Christchurch caused rather severe floods in the area through which tho Heathcote Riv jr flows. In some parts the flood waters entered houses and forced their owners to vacate them. Another cyclone, but a much shallower one, brought dull, misty weather between August 0 and 12, mainly to the North Island and eastern portion of the South Island. Though the rain was mainly light some heavy falls occurred during August 10 and 11 between HaAvke’s Bay and Castle Point and some flooding resulted. From August 24 to the close of the month much dull and misty weather pre\'ailed, being associated with several small cyclones which crossed the Dominion. The rainfall during this period was chiefly light and scattered, but on August 1J 24 and 28 more general rain was experienced, Avith a few heavy fitlls. Wellington, for instance, had 152 points for the 24 hours preceding 9 a.m. on August 25. the heaviest fall recorded in tho city so far this year. Fortunately strong winds were infrequent. and the month on the whole was consequently a mild and pleasant one.