THE WEATHER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 81, 17 January 1936, Page 4

THE WEATHER.

RAIN FOLLOWS VIOLENT WIND. An exceptionally heavy north-west wind which arose during the night blew heavily in Ashburton this morning. Conditions were most unpleasant, and miner damage was done to trees. A large amount of fruit is reported to have been bloVn off branches. The wind was followed early this morning by rain, which was fairly heavy at times. A light shower of two points fell just after 9 o'clock, followed by a heavier shower from 10 to 11.30. Conditions then cleared, the wind having fallen. Exceptionally heavy rain was experienced at Mayfield, over one inch falling between daylight and 9 a.m., after which the rain continued. A very strong north-west wind blew during the night, reaching gale force early in the morning. Crops were battered about and branches broken off trees. The rainfall commenced about 6 a.m. While the fall of rain in Methven was nut so heavy, a considerable anvount fell this morning after a northwest gale in* the night. The fall was heaviest near the hills, where the rain was coming down in sheets. It was feared that oat crops, which are high and thick, would become tangled as a result of the rain. The wheat crops are able to stand a fair amount of buffeting, but the heavy crops, which are liable to go down, will suffer most. On the ether hand, it is hoped that the rain will clear away the rust. The barometric pressure in Ashburton at 9 o'clock was 28.99 inches, the lowest for six months, falling from 29.49 inches yesterday. Conditions yesterday were mild, the maximum temperature bein£ 69.3 degrees, and the minimum last night 56.4 degrees. "It shifted ever3 7 thing but the mortgage," said a farmer in Ashburton today, referring to the wind and rain in the etvMy morning. Damage was done to _oat crops in the Ashburton Forks district, where there was heavy rainfall, he said. Many crops had been laid down by the rain earlier in the week, and when the heavy fall came they had no strength. Wheat crops had also been laid down, but the fall would probably not disturb the wheat greatly. The wind was so strong that it brought down po.ver lines in the Winchmore district, said another farmer.

TO-DAY'S FORECAST.

WELLINGTON, This Da 3 . The Government Meteorologist, at noon to-day, issued the following statement regarding the weather:— General inference: A very deep westerly depression is crossing the South Island. Pressure is rising over south-eastern Australia. The forecast for the east coast of tnc South Island from Blenheim to n a maru is as follows: Strong north-west to westerly winds, backing later to south-easterly. Weather unsettled, with intermittent rain in most places. Temperatures warm at first, but coder later. Seas rough to high north of KaTkoura, moderate but later rising thence southwards.