THE NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEAR-BOOK, 1921-22

The monthly and annual means of the temperature, rainfall, and sunshine of Auckland are shown in the following table:—

The Hawke's Bay Province is one of the richest in New Zealand, and is favoured with a pleasant climate, being sheltered from westerly winds, though occasionally they are of the warm and dry (Foehn) type. It is rather dry, but ex-tropical disturbances are occasionally responsible for heavy downpours. Though the number of days with rain is less than, and sunshine above that of other parts, the rainfall is still a good one, and fairly regular throughout the year, though some seasons have been notably dry. The meteorological records of Napier show reliable normals for the coastal districts. Inland the country is rather mountainous and less mild.

Wellington, the capital city, as disclosed by its meteorological records, has a mean climate for the whole Dominion. Wellington occupies a central position, and is situated near Cook Strait, which divides the two main Islands. It has a somewhat changeable but temperate climate, and, though occasionally subject to disturbances from warmer regions, is usually controlled by the terrestrial wind-currents which have a westerly direction round the world in the latitude of the “forties.” It is popularly regarded as a rather windy spot, for high winds are frequently experienced, although they hardly ever reach hurricane force. Its windiness is largely owing to local configuration, for places quite near Wellington experience very little wind; and to compensate for this rather disagreeable element is a bountiful sunshine, averaging 2,027 hours per annum. There is a plentiful rainfall, amounting the nearly 50 in.

Between Wellington and Taranaki, following the Taranaki Bight, is probably one of the most fertile and agreeable regions in Australasia; but inland, though very productive, conditions are not so favourable.

Taranaki has a rather heavy rainfall, and in most parts of this region the grass is always green. Its climate is mild, and cattle winter in the open. Wanganui and Manawatu districts (which lie between Wellington and Taranaki) have less rainfall than either Wellington or Taranaki.

It may be useful to make a comparison between the records of Wellington and those of Camden Square, London.

Nelson and Marlborough are highly favoured regions with regard to sunshine and shelter from marine winds. Long ago Bishop Selwyn said, “No one knows what the climate is till he has basked in the almost perpetual sunshine of Tasman's Gulf, with a frame braced and invigorated to the full enjoyment of heat by the wholesome frost or cool snowy breeze of the night before.”

Pastoral and agricultural industries are thriving, and the Province of Nelson is also famous for its fruit cultures—apples especially being celebrated for their variety, colour, and flavour. The rainfall about Nelson is very reliable, and averages from 35 in. to 45 in. per annum. Marlborough is also a sunny province, and its rainfall averages from 25 in. to 30 in.

The climate of Westland is influenced by its position with regard to the prevailing westerly winds, its proximity to the sea from which these winds blow, and the mountainous character of its eastern half. The rainfall, as might be expected is heavy, and ranges from about 70 in. per annum in the north on the coast to as much as 200 in. in the mountainous country. The weather-changes are chiefly due to atmospheric depressions, with lowest pressures passing south of the Dominion. Cyclones centred in the north, while bringing heavy rains to the North Island and the east coast, portions of the South, do not, as a rule, affect Westland, as easterly winds, which then prevail, are not conducive to cloud-formation in this province. Sunshine at Hokitika averages 1,871 hours a year, and, though not so abundant as in east coast districts, is a good average amount considering the rainfall. Westland is noted for a clear, beautiful atmosphere during fair-weather periods.

The chief health resort of the South Island, Hanmer Spa, is situated on a small plateau in the northern portion of the Canterbury Land District. On account of its altitude, 1,120 ft., it enjoys an invigorating climate, with a mean annual temperature of only about one degree below that of Christchurch. Owing to its elevated position and nearness to the mountains Hanmer is in some winter seasons subject to rather severe snowstorms, such as are never experienced on the Canterbury Plains. The mean annual rainfall is 38.15in., and the mean total sunshine 1,992 hours.

The district of Canterbury comprises a variety of topographical features. A plain stretches over a hundred miles from north-east to south-west, with a maximum width of about forty miles from the east coast to the foothills to the westward. The latter merge into the mountainous country culminating in the main range of the Southern Alps, which divide the provinces of Canterbury and Westland, and afford a protection from the heavily moisture-laden north-westerly winds. The rainfall of the Canterbury Plains is in consequence much restricted, the average being about 26 in. There is, however, a remarkable progressive increase from east to west, as is shown by the records. At Christchurch the mean is 25.13 in.; at Mount Torlesse Station (near Springfield), 39.86 in. The climate of Canterbury might almost be described as Continental in type, with large extremes of temperature between summer and winter and day and night. Except in the three summer months frosts are numerous, and even in the early spring and late autumn they are at times severe enough to damage vegetation of a tender nature. In summer, day temperatures of over 90° in the shade are sometimes experienced. With regard to both climate and soil the Plains have proved most suitable for agricultural farming, and much of the district is capable of growing splendid cereal and root crops. The prevailing winds in Canterbury are north-east and south-west, while north-westerlies are not, as often supposed, of frequent occurrence. They are most common in the springtime, and, being dry and warm, they have a somewhat enervating effect, though in winter-time they come as a welcome change from the keen temperatures then generally ruling. The bright sunshine, as recorded at Lincoln, shows a daily average for the year of 5.8 hours.

Otago, the southernmost part of New Zealand, is very diversified as regards both its physical features and its climate. Inland, in Central and North Otago, the climate is dry and clear—hot in summer and cold in winter. The rainfall for this district averages from 13 in. to 20 in. Near the coast, in the Dunedin district, the rainfall is more plentiful, averaging from 30 in. to 40 in. per annum, a good deal of which falls in light drizzling rains.

There are continuous rainfall records from various parts of Dunedin for sixty-nine years, of which the median rainfall is 33.5 in. and the mean in the table following may be regarded as too high.

Queenstown, on Lake Wakatipu, amongst the mountains, at an elevation of over 1,000 ft., furnishes the following averages:—

At Invercargill, the chief town of Southland, the averages are as follow:—

The average rainfall of Southland is between 40 in. and 50 in., but towards Queenstown the rainfall is between 30 in. and 40 in. The rainfall is well distributed throughout the year, but there is less wind in winter than in summer.

Stewart Island has a wonderfully mild and moist climate, especially on its eastern side, with an average rainfall of 65.18 in.

Throughout the greater part of the Dominion the total rainfall during 1920 was in excess of the average. Deficiencies, however, occurred in portions of the Gisborne and Hawke's Bay districts and the extreme north of the North Island, and also in most of Westland and Otago, in the South Island. Following is a short summary for each month of the weather and the chief atmospheric systems which were in evidence:—

January.—During January beneficial rains fell, particularly between the 18th and 24th, when a small westerly low-pressure area and subtropical disturbance were in evidence. Unsettled conditions were also experienced generally from the 1st to the 4th, and between the 9th and 15th, the result of two somewhat intense westerly “lows.” On the 14th and 15th snow fell on the higher levels in both the North and the South Islands, and light falls were experienced on some of the low-lying country in the east coast districts of the South Island, a most unusual occurrence for midsummer. The aggregate month's rainfall was generally considerably above the average, but Otago and scattered places in the Gisborne and Westland districts recorded a deficiency. Both sunshine and temperature were below the average, but except for occasional high winds the month was a fairly calm one.

February.—February proved a fair and warm month, though dull and misty conditions were somewhat frequent. Heavy rains occurred in most parts on the 8th and 9th and between the 25th and 28th, and, except in the Gisborne and Napier districts and the West Coast and southernmost portions of the South Island, the total rainfall for the month was considerably above the average, at many places more than double. The ruling disturbances were a subtropical low, the centre of which passed in the vicinity of Cook Strait in the evening of the 9th, and a similar low acting in conjunction with one southward of the Dominion from the 24th to the close of the month.

March.—The total rainfall was generally considerably below the normal, except at a few isolated stations, particularly in the Northern and East Coast districts, where an excess was recorded owing to heavy rains about the 18th and 19th and between the 25th and 28th. These two unsettled periods were the result of an intense westerly low-pressure area and an ex-tropical cyclone respectively, the centre of the latter apparently passing northwards of the Dominion. Severe floods were experienced in the North Auckland district about the 27th. For the greater portion of the month fair weather ruled, and was favourable to vegetable growth in most parts of the Dominion.

April.—April proved a dull and wet month, most parts of the Dominion experiencing a total rainfall considerably above the mean of previous years. The Gisborne and Hawke's Bay districts, and scattered places on the Canterbury Plains, were the only parts recording a deficiency. During the first six days anticyclonic pressure dominated, and fine weather prevailed generally. On the 7th and 8th a small westerly disturbance ruled in conjunction with a depression in the North, and a severe southerly gale raged about Cook Strait. Considerable rain also fell, especially over the North Island. Westerly low-pressure areas were somewhat frequent, though not of marked intensity, and were responsible for copious rainfall, particularly in districts having a westerly aspect.

May.—The May rainfall was below the average in all but the northern and southernmost districts and in parts of North Canterbury. The weather, however, was very unsettled, particularly during the latter half of the month, when some very intense and extensive westerly disturbances accounted for a prevalence of strong west to south-west winds and squally, showery conditions. From, the 10th to the 13th, while a cyclone passed in the North, dull misty weather was experienced with occasional heavy rain in the northern and East Coast districts. Anticyclonic conditions ruled between the 4th and 9th, and this was the only period during which fair weather prevailed over the whole Dominion.

June.—The rainfall for the month was below average in the West Coast and southern half of the South Island and about Cape Egmont in the North Island; in all other parts it was in excess, the greatest difference above the mean being in the northernmost districts. Dull, misty, and wet weather was experienced from the 5th to the 11th, when disturbances of moderate intensity were in evidence both north and south of the Dominion. On the 5th and 6th very heavy rains occurred over most of the North Island, causing high floods in the central parts. Between the 19th and 27th a very intense and extensive westerly storm area ruled, and this proved the most unsettled period during the month; rain fell generally, and snow occasionally, on the high country of the South Island. Fair weather was general during the first four and the last three days of the month, and between the 12th and 18th. Some severe frosts were recorded about the middle of the month.

July.—The July rainfall totals were generally above the average in the southern half of the South Island, but nearly all other parts of the Dominion recorded a deficiency. The first half of the month was characterized by unsettled, mild, dull, and wet weather, chiefly the effect of a prolonged westerly low-pressure area. On the 17th an anticyclone overspread the Dominion, and continued until the close of the month. During this period fair weather ruled, though at times easterly winds brought cold, changeable conditions along the east coast of the North Island. The latter half of the month was remarkable for the number of frosts in places where they are unusual, and many stations reported the hardest frosts experienced for many years.

August.—August was generally cold and unsettled, being more wintry in character than the two previous months. The most severe storm was the result of an intense westerly low-pressure area, the trough of which passed on the 26th, the barometer-reading on that date at the Bluff being as low as 28.54 in. West to south-west gales were experienced about this time, and very heavy seas occurred on the West Coast of the South Island. Minor disturbances of both antarctic and tropical origin were frequent during the month. Rainfall, in consequence, was above the average over most of the South Island and in all but the middle districts of the North.

September.—With the exception of a few isolated places along the western coast and about Foveaux Strait all parts of the Dominion recorded a total rainfall above the average. The greatest difference was in the East Coast districts of the South Island, where, in places, as much as three times the average amount fell. The first week, when an anticyclone ruled, proved the only period during which fair weather prevailed over the Dominion as a whole. The remainder of the month was extremely changeable, and at times very cold and stormy. The heaviest rains were experienced about the 21st and 22nd and the 28th and 29th. On the former two days floods occurred in the Kaikoura district, and in the latter period severe floods were reported in the East Coast districts south of Banks Peninsula. The chief disturbances were of tropical origin, and well-defined westerly low-pressure areas, which are usually frequent at this season, were notable by their absence. As a result easterly and south-easterly winds were more prevalent than usual, particularly in and southwards of Cook Strait. Though regarded as the first month of spring, September this year was of a wintry character, and vegetable growth made very little progress.

October.—Between the 6th and 12th and the 18th and 23rd anticyclones accounted for fair weather in most parts of the Dominion. During the remainder of the month conditions were dominated by a succession of depressions in higher latitudes, and as a result dull, unsettled, and windy weather was the rule, particularly in all the West Coast districts. Rainfall was above the average in Taranaki and Manawatu and in parts of Hawke's Bay in the North Island, and in the western half of the South. Elsewhere precipitation was below normal. Heavy rain fell over most of the North Island between the 25th and 28th, and severe floods occurred at this time in the West Coast and central districts. At Inglewood, in Taranaki, a fall of 7.34 in. was recorded on the 25th. Thunderstorms were experienced in various parts about the 15th and 16th, while a rather intense westerly disturbance was in evidence. At Waitakaro, in Gisborne district, 1.27 in. of rain fell in one hour during a thunderstorm.

November.—During November pressure was almost continuously below normal in the South owing to frequent disturbances passing in higher latitudes, while anticyclone centres invariably moved north of the Dominion. As a consequence, strong winds between north-west and south-west prevailed, and the weather proved very changeable and often boisterous, with heavy rains in districts with a westerly aspect. The total rainfall was considerably above the average in the West Coast and southern half of the South Island, and slightly above in the Taranaki and Auckland districts of the North. Elsewhere it was generally below, the greatest deficiency being experienced in the Gisborne and Napier districts. Thunderstorms occurred on several occasions in various parts of the Dominion, and some stations recorded damage to fruit crops through the accompanying hail squalls.

December.—The aggregate rainfall for December was above the mean in the western half of the South Island and in the Taranaki and Auckland districts of the North Island, while in all the East Coast districts a considerable deficiency occurred. Strong northerly and westerly winds and changeable conditions were experienced during the first half of the month, when westerly low-pressure areas dominated. Between the 15th and 17th high easterly winds and stormy weather prevailed in the Auckland Peninsula, while a cyclone centre passed northwards of New Zealand. Good general rains fell on the 27th, which were especially welcome to the East Coast districts, coming after a period of warm, dry, and windy conditions. The weather on the whole was fair, but vegetation required more rainfall in districts with an easterly aspect. Temperatures were invariably high during the last week.

The following tables show the difference, above or below the mean, for each month in the year:—