THE WEATHER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 126, 10 March 1936, Page 4

THE WEATHER.

CONDITIONS IMPROVE TO-DAY. After tfiree days of heavy rain and wintry conditions the weather cleared in Ashburton this morning. The temperature was warm, the sun shining brightly from a cloudless sky. There was scarcely any wind. Cool conditions were experienced last night, one degree of frost being recorded. The mountain ranges were seeen to have a heavy coating of snow* i«is morning. v One hundred and fifty five points of rain fell yesterday, maxing a total of 396 points for three hays. The total rainfall for Ashburton in March so far is 7.06 inches, and for the year 17 inches,sß points. The rainfall in March last year was 305 points, and for the whole year 30 inches 70 points. For the first three- months the fall amounted to- 709 points. The average fall for March over a period of 26 years is 172 points, and on average figures the month is the driest in the year. The average, yearly rainfall in Ashburton is 28.10 inches. The heavy rain during the last five weeks is -without precedent for at least 20 years. The rainfall recorded at Anama during the last three days amounted to 311 points. AH the crops in the district have been taken in. The maximum temperature yesterday was 50 degrees, and the minimum inside temperature last night 38 degrees. Barometric pressure at 9 o’clock this morning was 29.53 inches, compared with 29.51 inches yesterday morning.

SNOW IN ASHBURTON GORGE. After an exceptionally hot day at Mount Somers, a sudden change set in from the southwest on Saturday evening, heavy rain falling. Bitterly cold southerly winds continued on Sunday and yesterday, accompanied by heavy rain, sleet and snow showers. This morning 292 points cf rain were recorded, when conditions were fine. Heavy snow fell in the back country, reaching the flats in the Ashburton Gorge, three inches being reported at Hakatere. Considerable flooding took place in and around Mount Somers yesterday, owing to overflowing water races and channels. TO-DAY’S FORECAST. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day. The Government Meteorologist, at noon to-day, issued the following statement regarding the weather:— General inference: Pressure is very lon to the east cf New Zealand, while a secondary depression is approaching the South Island from the west. An anticyclone covers the western Tasman Sea. The forecast for the east coast of the South Island from Blenheim to Oamaru as follows: Moderate to strong westerly winds, later turning southerly again and increasing to gale force in places. Weather cold, squally and 1 changeable with heavy showers at times, snow probable on the ranges and hail in places. Seas rough to high with a southerly'swell.