THE WEATHER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 266, 7 October 1933, Page 2

THE WEATHER

SQUALLY AND UNSETTLED

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Oct. 7. A moderate westerly depression is crossing New Zealand to-day, while an anti-cyclone has advanced from Australia on to the western Tasman Sea. The anticipated southerly is unlikely to be of long duration, westerly weather being likely to predominate during the coming week. Forecast: Strong north-west -winds to gales, backing to southerlies. Weather: Squally and unsettled, with rain and thunder in places. Temperatures becoming cold. Seas rough.

CONDITIONS IN SEPTEMBER,

METEOROLOGIST’S REVIEW

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON Oct. 6. Reviewing the weather in September, the Government meteorologist (Dr E. Kidson) states: Another very good spring month was experienced in September. Reports generally indicate that the season so far has'been the best for many years. Feed is rather scarce in eastern parts of the South Island and parts of the Gisborne district, but the shortage is not acute and elsewhere there has been ample growth. Mild temperatures and an absence of strong winds have been important factors contributing to these favourable conditions. Stock are doing very well. It has been an excellent lambing season, and in parts of the North Island the dairy yields have been the highest hitherto recorded till this time of year-. Crops, also, are making a good start and the spring lias been an early one for vegetation. Nevertheless, the total, rainfall was below the average in most districts to a serious degree. The subsoil, especially in the South Island, is dry, and heavy rains will be needed during the coming months if the present highly satisfactory condition"is to be maintained. The rainfall was above normal from Auckland northwards, in the Wanganui and Manawatu districts, and in the extreme south. Elsewhere, however, not more than half the average was recorded. For much the greater part of the country, the accumulated deficit since the beginning of the year is assuming large proportions. The month was, on the whole, a mild one, with few frosts. In eastern districts and the Bay of Plenty the mean temperatures were rather below; average at many places, but in the interior and western districts the reverse was distinctly the case. During the last week or so there was a prevalence of cold southerly winds, and growth. of vegetation was retarded, especially' in the North Island. / A frost on the 27tli did some damage in the Bay of Plenty area. Sunshine appears to have been above normal almost everywhere. Of the records to hand, Napier’s is the only one in which such is not,the case. At'Lake Tekapo a total of 227.5 hours was experienced. MANAWATU RIVER GAUGE." Noon.—2ft. 3ins.