METEOROLOGICAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2469, 6 April 1909, Page 3

METEOROLOGICAL.

, RAINFALL REPORTS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 3. Reports received at the Meteorological Office show that the total rainfalls in March were greatly above tlie normal on all parts of the Eastern coast, but generally below the average of the former years on the western coast, and especially so in the South Island and parts of Southland. This was owing to three cyclonic disturbances from the north passing to the eastward of New Zealand, while the usual wave pressures which come from the westward,, and affect the South Island principally, were not so much in evidence. Ausldand had half as much again as usual, and Waihi two and a half times the average, viz., 20 inches, which is about half an inch more than the highest ever recorded there, namely, in March- 1908. At Waihi there is a self-recording rainguage, in charge of Mr. Devereux, which shews that five inches fell in five hours on March 27th. Gisborne had nearly,- double the normal, while Napier over three times its March average. Wellington, 3.67, was just 0.3 points above tho usual. Levin and Wanganui were below, but Ditton, Masterton, and stations in Taranaki were somewhat above. Hokitika reports less than half its average March rainfall. Nelson and North Canterbury inland are slightly above. Blenheim Lad Twothirds more than usual, and Christchurch. three and one-third times more than its mean rainfall. Its total 6.47 in, has only twice been slightly exceeded, •according to the official records. Its highest fall, 3.16 in, occurred on the 30th. The total rainfall at Lincoln was 2in below that of Christchurch. The Tim'aru rainfall for the month was 5.73 in, which is more than double the average. Waimate’s was nearly double, but Oamaru had 6.01 in in eight days, but 2.73 in fell on one day only. Dunedin had a total of 4.79 inches, which is 1.79 in above the average for 52 years. Dipton, in Southland, had less than half the average for a long period. Though such marked differences in the rainfall are exceptional, and cannot be forecasted, it is very evident that they are the effects of disturbances affecting a wide area in the Southern Pacific, oi even a- larger field.