WINTRY WEATHER.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16847, 29 May 1920, Page 8

WINTRY WEATHER.

SNOW AND LOW TEMPEBATUEE.

Tho Dominion meteorologist's prediction of snow, sleet, and rain, was fulfilled yesterday morning, all three atmospheric elements being containod in a storm which broke over the district at 4 o'clock. Its duration was not long, and onlv those who have.to be about before dawn encountered it. The day caine in bright, but tho south-west breeze was very keen, the tops of the Port Hills and all tho higher points being covered in snow. The fall varied in different districts, Cheviot reporting six inches, and other places one. W.;iau has experienced tho most variable weather during the last fortnight, strong nor'-westers alternating at short intervals with cold south-west squalls. At times tho wind, both from the north and the south, has blown with hurricane force. At 7.30 a.m. yesterday snow commenced to fall, and in a very short timo tho whole landscape was clothed in a mantle of white. Shortly afier 9 o'clock, however, the snow ceased, and the clouds began to clear away. By midday the sun was shining brightly, and a rapid thaw had set in. The ranges, however, have received a heavy coating, and hard frosts may be expecicd.

A violent storm of thunder and lightning, with rain, hail, and snowj broko over Ash burton about 4 o'clock yesterday morning. Loud and crashing neals of thunder continued for fully half an hour, and the rain was very "heavy at intervals. The ground at daylight was covered with li°il and snow from A nam a down to near Tinwald. A bitterly cold wind was experienced all day yesterday.

On Thursday morning, between 3 and 4 o'clock, a_ gale of hurricane forco raf;ed in Kaikoura. Tents were l>lown down, trees uprooted, and one chimncy carno to grief. A good deal of inconvenience was caused on manv farms. Early yesterday morning a. cold southeast wind set "in with rain, which was followed by a heavy fall of snow, the ground being covered to the depth of an inch. The fall of snow in the b'lckCTuntrv is reported to he heavy. Shortly after 9 o'clock the snow gave place to p. cold rain.

A violent southerly gale struck the Peninsula _ early yesterdny morning. I-leavy rain fell for some "hours, with occasional showers of hail and sleet. The wo-ither turned bitterly cold, and daylight showed the rancres well con tod with £-no«r down to 700 feet level. Wintry conditions continued throughout the day.