A Brief Review of 1943.The chief feature of the year 1943 was a dry autumn followed by wet and dull conditions in the late winter and spring, which delayed the coming season. There was then a rapid development due to a favourable November and December, but by the end of the year droughty conditions were adversely affecting most farming interests.
Over the whole year mean temperatures were mostly below normal, the deficiencies being over 1° F. at places near the western foothills of the main ranges. In the far north and in a belt extending from northern Nelson across the Rangitikei district to the Bay of Plenty temperatures were, however, slightly above normal. At many places the duration of bright sunshine was better than average. From Auckland City northwards and also at Westport the annual total exceeded the average by over 200 hours. Sunshine was poorer than usual in most inland districts of the South Island, as well as at Nelson City, in the Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay, and locally in the Waikato.
For the country as a whole rainfall was rather light. North of a line from Awakino to Whakatane the year's total was slightly deficient, as was also the case in central and southern Hawke's Bay, including the back country. Elsewhere in the North Island there was surplus rainfall, the excesses being appreciable between Wairoa and East Cape, and less marked in northern Taranaki. In the South Island the majority of stations from Marlborough Sounds to Palmerston recorded small excesses, but slight deficiencies occurred locally north of Christchurch and in the neighbourhood of Timaru. Westland and the Southern Alps received appreciably less precipitation than usually.
Seasonal Notes.—January was dry, with some cloudy humid spells. All crops were satisfactory, but the dryness caused a decline in dairy production. In February rainfall was heavy, with little settled weather. For most of New Zealand March was dry, sunny, and cool. Harvesting was interrupted in the south, while the prolonged dry spell in the Auckland Provincial District further adversely affected the dairy industry. April, like March, was dry, with fine, clear conditions. The duration of sunshine was above average almost generally. Dry, cold weather was experienced during May, and in many places in the south it was the coldest May on record. Conditions were favourable for agricultural work, but after the cold spell at the close of the month all growth ceased. June had frequent and heavy rains, some records being broken. Stock were wintering well, but sheep losses were reported during a severe snowstorm in Canterbury near the end of the month. July was cold though sunny, and with mainly light winds. Frosts therefore were numerous, but autumn-sown crops made steady progress. Due to the frequency of winds from a southerly quarter, August was also cold, and record low temperatures were reported at widely scattered places. Thus the season was considerably delayed, and the wet conditions adversely affected stock. Scattered snow on the 25th killed some early lambs. September was persistently unsettled. Except in the far south, rain was heavy and frequent, and few wetter Septembers have been experienced. On the whole the month was dull and most unpleasant, and after a poor August it proved most severe on young stock. Although October showed some improvement, the weather was still rather unsettled, with frequent but not excessive rain. November was a dry month with several fair spells, giving favourable farming conditions in most districts. The rapid promotion of pasture and garden growth compensated for the late spring. The weather was dry, warm, and settled during December, excellent for harvesting and shearing, but with insufficient rain for many crops.
THE NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEAR-BOOK, 1945.
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June 06, 2019, 08:51:09 PM