SOUTH-WEST STORM

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27709, 13 July 1955, Page 12

SOUTH-WEST STORM

SNOW, RAIN, AND SLEET HEAVY FALL ON PORTER’S PASS Rain and snow fell throughout Canterbury and Westland yesterday. In Christchurch rain and sleet followed a mild frost of 2 degrees, after a succession of heavy frosts, averaging 6.4 degrees. On the western slopes of the Southern Alps there was the first heavy snowfall of the winter yesterday. Some snow fell on the higher peaks of Banks Peninsula, and as far south as Hororata and Kirwee. Early yesterday morning it was snowing at Lake Coleridge, and there were snow showers on the Kaikoura coast. The Otira Gorge route was closed on the western side of the •■alps. At Arthur’s Pass there was a fall of more than an inch in the township, and about three inches at the top of the pass. There were further falls throughout the day. After comparatively mild weather recently, there was a heavy coating of snow on Mount Davey and the Paparoa ranges to a fairly low level for the first time this winter.

Although the Otira road was closed yesterday, it is not expected to remain closed for long, depending on conditions in the Porter’s Pass area, where there has been a heavy fall. A bulldozer was clearing the road yesterday. The Lewis Pass highway to Christchurch was not affected. Heavy rain, mingled with hail and sleet, fell in Ashburton yesterday. Rain throughout Monday night was steady, and at 9 a.m. yesterday morning .98in had been recorded.

In the foothills up to 6in of snow was recorded, especially in the Rakaia Gorge district. A maximum temperature of 61.3 degrees on Monday was the highest recorded in Christchurch this month, but was well below the 1922 record maximum for July of 69.1 deg. The maximum temperature at Harewood on Monday was 59.8 deg.