RAIN, HAIL AND THUNDER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 48, 26 February 1935, Page 8

RAIN, HAIL AND THUNDER.

VIVID UGHTNING DISPLAY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent:) WHANGAEEI, this day. An electrical storm of great severity passed over the middle North yesterday The first rumblings occurred at Waip'u', and by 10 a.m. heavy rain was falling, to the accompaniment ,of . thunder. Shortly afterwards, the'storm spread to. the Mangakahia, and at Pakotai a vivid' lightning display was seen, throughout the day. No rain fell in that district; but further up the valley there was a deluge.

By 2 o'clock Kuatangata was visited by the disturbance, and the centre of the storm area appeared to be immediately overhead. Within three-quarters of an hour nearly half an inch of rain, mostly frozen, had fallen. Later in the afternoon the heavy hailstorm swept the Kauri and Kamo districts, leaving the ground white in its path.

Not only is it exceptional to have such visitations in the North at this time of the year, but also the hail .>tas most peculiar in shape. The stones were generally flat, and ranged in size from that of a threepenny piece to that of a shilling.

The Whangarei township, where the rainfall for the 24 hours was '.37in, missed the main force of the storm, and no hail fell. At mid-day one loud peal nf thunder was heard, but there was little rain until the thunder commenced '.o boom shortly after 4 o'clock. liightn ing flashes coming from all directions continued to light up the sky untilrafter S. o'clock, but the night was fine. Radio reception was bad.;