TOUCH OF WINTER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 192, 28 May 1945, Page 2

TOUCH OF WINTER.

RAIN. HAIL AND SNOW. FARMERS EXPRESS CONCERN CROPPING PROGRAMME DELAYED Intermittent rain, hail, sleet, and. snow have brought a real touch of winter to Ashburton, and these conditions have further increased the difficulties of farmers, who are now much concerned because of the hold-up in the cropping programme. A south-westerly gale on Saturday night was the beginning of the cold spell. A northerly breeze which prevailed during Saturday suddenly changed about 7 o’clock to a cold south-westerly wind, which brought with it hail and rain; a sprinkling of sleet and snow falling in some districts, including Mayfield. More than an inch of snow fell at Methven, but it was melted by rain which followed. Low maximum temperatures prevailed at Methven yesterday, the reading being 32.8 degrees at noon. Fifteen points of rain fell on Saturday night and 21 yesterday. The ground was covered with a fine sprinkling of snow this morning. Similar conditions were experienced at Mayfield. Extremely cold conditions are reported from all districts in the County. Sixteen points of ran fell at Pendarves on Saturday night, and occasional showers of sleet and hail fell to-day after a frost of seven degrees. Heavy snow fell in North Canterbury yesterday afternoon. Sleet fell in Christchurch, and there was a thin coating of snow on parts of Cashmere Hills.

Several farmers this morning expressed concern at the serious effect of the weather on crop planting. Very little wheat has yet been sown, the ground not being in a fit condition. With the turnip crops this season being poor the feed position is likely to be serious if'some fine weather is not soon experienced. Conditions at Ashburton.

The third wet Sunday in succession was experienced at Ashburton yesterday, 17 points of rain falling in the morning. The .sky cleared a little 'in the afternoon, but there was a keen southerly breeze. Nine degrees of frost were recorded in the morning,after a rainfall of 22 points. A hard frost of 12.5 degrees this morning was followed by showers of hail and sleet between 8 o’clock and 9 o’clock. The sky remained clouded for most of the day, and temperatures were low. The maximum and minimum temperatures yesterday were 43.1 and 28.2 degrees, compared with 60.3 and 31.5 on Saturday. The barometer to-day registered 29.22 inches, against 29.29 yesterday. TO-DAY’S FORECAST. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Government Meteorologist, at noon to-day, issued the following statement regarding the weather: Pressure is low to the south-east, with a series of troughs crossing the Dominion. The forecast for the east coast of the South Island from Blenheim to Oamaru to 5 p.m. to-morrow is as follows: South-westerly winds predominating, fresh to strong at times. Conditions will be cold, changeable and showery, with hail or snow'at times, but a temporary improvement to-night and tomorrow morning.

Further outlook: Cold showers con tinning.