NOTES ON THE WEATHER DURING 1877. 



Januaet. — Wet, stormy, and unpleasant weather generally experienced tlirongliont ; 

 wind i^revailing from westward, and freiiueut thunder-storms. Eartluiuake reported by 

 observer at Wellington on lOfch, at 9-58 p.m., sharp, from S.E. 



February. — During the first half of month the weather throughout was exceedingly 

 wet and stormy, with thunder ; floods occurred at several places throughout the colony ; 

 the latter part was line generally. Earthquakes reported by observers at Wellington on 

 9th, at 6-49 p.m., slight, 4 sees., from S.E., and on 10th, at 8-49 a.m., slight, 2 sees., from 

 E. ; at Mauawatu, 5th, 10-24 p.m., sharp, preceded by slight noise; Governor's Bay, 2ud, 

 at 10.10 p.m., S.W. ; Wangauui, night of 7th, loud ramble. 



March. — With the exception of the heavy fall of rain at Mongonui between the 6th 

 and 17th, the weather throughout during this period was exceedingly fine, with a remark- 

 ably small rainfall and generally light winds. 



April. — With few exceptions the weather during this period was fine for time of the 

 year, with little rain, and no storms of any violence. The temperature was, however, 

 rather below the average throughout. The Quaenstowu observer reports a smart shock 

 of earthquake in ueigbourhood of Skipper's, Upper Shotover, about the loth. 



Mat. — With few exceiDtions the weather has been very wet and boisterous throughout 

 the mouth, accomjDanied by thunder and hail storms, and excessive falls of rain; the wind 

 was principally westerly ; the barometer and thermometer readings were below the ave- 

 rage. Earthquakes were reported by observers at Tarauaki on 8th at 7'2'J a.m. ; and at 

 Queenstown on 2nd, slight. A tidal disturbance was observed at many of the stations on 

 the East Coast on the 11th. A brilliant meteor was observed in the extreme North on 

 the 11th, and one at Lyttelton on the 15th. 



June. — -Except in the interior and on the West Coast of the South Island, the 

 rainfall has been small for the time of year, and on the whole fine winter weather was 

 experienced. 



July. — Very fine weather generally throughout for time of year ; small rainfall and 

 m.oderate winds ; exceeding high barometric pressure ; temperature below the average. 

 Earthquakes felt at Wellington, 4th, at 4-27 p.m., N. to S., slight; and on 16th, slight 

 double shock, between 10 and 11 p.m.; at Nelson, on 4th, at 4-20 p.m., sharp, and at 

 Westport, at 3-30 p.m., smart. 



August. — About the average weather for the time of year ; the rain at most stations 

 less than usual for this month, and no violent storms occurred ; the temperature rather 

 high. Earthquakes felt at Wanganui, on 11th, at 6'o0 a.m., slight ; Wellington, same 

 date, and about same hour, slight ; at Queenstown, a slight shock reported on 14th, at 

 6 a.m. 



September. — Very small rainfall during this month as compared with that for same 

 period in former years ; the atmospheric pressure was generally higher, and the tempera- 

 ture about the average on the whole ; some strong winds were experienced from westward, 

 but generally the weather for the time of year was fine. Earthquakes were felt at Wel- 

 lington, on the 15th, between 8 and 9 a.m., slight ; on 22nd, at 4-40 p.m., two smart shocks 

 with rumbling noise ; and on 29th, at 1-50 a.m., a slight movement: also at Eakaia, on 

 16th, a shock reported. 



October. — Generally fine and dry early part of month, but during latter half, at most 

 of the stations, wet unpleasant weather was experienced, with much snow and thunder, 

 and some strong S.W. gales. Earthquakes at Najoier, on 25th, at 8-40 p.m., smart; at 

 Wellington, on 10th, slight shock at 8-53 p.m. ; at Timaru and Waimate, on 10th, at 

 night ; at Dunedin, on 9th, shock reported. 



November. — During early part of month strong westerly gale experienced at almost 

 all stations, accompanied at most places with heavy rain, hail, and thunder, causing 

 floods ; the latter part of month generally fine and pleasant; except at one or two local- 

 ities the rain was under the average. Earthquakes felt at Wellington, on 6th, at 910 a.m., 

 slight ; and on 7th, at 8.21 p.m., slight ; at Kaiapoi and Rangiora, on 21st. 



December. — Fine weather generally experieaced during this month, although at some 

 of the stations, especially in the South, the rain was iu excess of average. Westerly winds 

 prevailed, and on the 6th a storm from that quarter was felt at many places ; the tem- 

 perature was on the whole about the average. An earthquake at Taupo was reported by 

 telegram on 8th, at 4-15 a.m., smart. 



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