DOMINION’S RAINFALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1922, Page 4

DOMINION’S RAINFALL.

FLUCTUATIONS EXAMINED. FORECASTS OF FUTURE. An examination of the fluctuations in the rainfall of New Zealand was recently made by Mr. L. Birks, chief Government electrical engineer, and Mr. D. U. Bates, Dominion meteorologist. They had in view the prediction of cycles of weather for the advantage of agriculturists, and in connection with the generation of hydro-electricity. In an article on the subject the authors affirm that the forecast of the future must still remain indefinite, and that the most that could be done toward making an estimate of the future was to review carefully the past records A diagram published in the article showing the rainfall curves for Auckland. Wellington, and Dunedin, during a period of over 60 years indicates that generally there has’ been more rain in Wellington than in Auckland, with a much lower fall in Dunedin. The rainfall in Auckland has been above the average in 33 years, and below it in 35 years; in Wellington, above in 31 years and below in 27; and in Dunedin, above in 29 years and below in 28 years. than 30in. have been recorded in Dunedin 12 times, and in Auckland and in Wellington twice. Auckland shows less than 40in. for 22 years, against 10 vears in Wellington, and 35 years in Dunedin. On the other hand. Auckland has exceeded 70in. once (in 1917), and 60in. once (in 1916), while Wellington has liad over 60in. seven times. The average for Hokitika is 114.13 in., with a record of 134.32 in. in 1915. Commenting on the statistics thb authors state that the amount oi annual rainfall is apparently quite erratic, and follows no cyclic variation. In othei places the 11-year sun-spot cycle was distinguishable" and even a three-yeai cycle, but before this could definitely ht determined under local circumstances t fuller investigation was required.