A Brief Review of 1949Over the greater part of New Zealand the annual rainfall did not differ much from the average, the general tendency being for a alight excess in central and western districts and a slight deficiency elsewhere. The greatest deficiency was in the central and northern parts of the Canterbury Plains and inland from Gisborne where rainfall was only about 75 per cent. of the average. A 25 per cent. excess was recorded in eastern Coromandel and near the main ranges in Otago and South Canterbury. Moan temperatures were above normal in the North Island and the eastern half of the South Island. Elsewhere they were near or slightly below normal. There was more sunshine than normal in the provincial districts of Wellington. Marlborough, Nelson, and Canterbury and in the Gisborne and Buller areas, the surplus exceeding 200 hours in the central parts of Canterbury. Over the remainder of the country the totals were mostly 50 to 100 hours below the average.
Seasonal Notes.—There was little settled weather in January, conditions generally being cloudy and cool. Frequent rain and lack of sunshine, especially east of the main ranges, delayed the ripening of fruit and cereal crops. February was a warm, dry month apart from heavy rains on the West Coast. In Canterbury it was exceptionally warm, especially during the first week. The March rainfall was over three times the average in the Otago Lakes district where some flood damage occurred on the 19th. Elsewhere conditions were about normal for early autumn. The following month, however, was rather unseasonable, it being the coldest April since 1940. In Canterbury the ground became too hard for cultivation, and autum sowings of grain were delayed. Southland experienced a very difficult harvesting season. In May the mean barometric pressure reached a record high level. The weather was generally settled with the exception of two very wet periods affecting districts exposed to north-east winds. Rain fell frequently during the next two months, though the total falls were mostly below average. June was a mild month and was followed by the mildest July on record. In some places trees and shrubs began to flower a month ahead of their usual date. Although there was no really settled weather in August, conditions on the whole were favourable. At the beginning of the second week some new lambs were lost in northern and eastern districts during a severe storm from the north. Similar losses occurred in the south during a snowstorm towards the end of September. Severe frosts about this time also damaged stone-fruit trees and early vegetables. On the whole, September was dry and very sunny. October was exceptionally mild, certainly the mildest October since 1915. Rainfall was high in Westland where several stations recorded over 40 in. (1016mm) for the month, Waiho having as much as 19.30 in. (490.2 mm) in one day; but for the most part rainfall was low and sunshine high. November was also very sunny with less than the usual amount of rain. From Hawke's Bay to Canterbury the low seasonal rainfall delayed spring sowings and retarded growth. Conditions in the main dairying districts, however were exceptionally favourable. Prospects for the stone-fruit crop received a further set-back when a hailstorm on the 6th November severely damaged orchards near Hastings. Frost also did considerable damage in Central Otago. December's weather was cloudy, unsettled, and rather cool. The rain which fell in Canterbury during the first week was particularly welcome after a very dry spring. Lambs fattened well and dairy production rose to a record level.
THE NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEARBOOK, 1950.
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May 21, 2019, 04:56:24 PM