YESTERDAY'S STORM

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 54, 7 March 1929, Page 12

YESTERDAY'S STORM

OVER AN INCH MEASURED

BENEFIT TO FAEMEES There was little relief all day yesterday in Wellington from the wet weather which set in early in the morning, and the rain storm culminated in a downpour late in tho afternoon aiid early evening. Between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. 80 points were recorded at the Kelburh Observatory, and 20 points ■ more fell by 6.20 p.m., making a fall of one inch of rain in' 1 hour 20 minutes, and a total fall of S.Otiin iv .three days. Such a fall, though very heavy, is not abnormal, even for'Wellington.'Between 13th and 15th Augu3t'last year 4.73 in fell in. the southerly storm which was responsible for the' damage to the Hutt railway line, and between 9th and 11th December there was a fall of 0.98 in. Auother recent heavy fall occurred between 26th and 27th May, 1927, when 3.Sin wore recorded. The raiii has been fairly general all over the Dominion, and has been very welcome to farmers. Dr.: 11. Kidson (Director of Meteorological Services) says that it should make a lot of difference to the season. The wet spell previously was delaying the fattening of lambs, feed being too rank, but the dry spell checked the growth, and as far as sheep are concerned, the rain should prevent any very serious effect, and there should be a . renewal of growth. Eain was badly needed in some places, especially in New Plymouth, where there is 'a local hydro-electric supply, and where, owing to the 'dry weather, a full supply of current was not available. The rainfall should give relief there, and also at Mangahao, where .the water level was becoming low. '.-■■■ Kain delayed shipping somewhat, and there was a partial stoppage of work on the waterfront yesterday. The Uliniaroa, from Sydney, was delayed in discharging, and tho Wahine was late in leaving for Lyttelton last night. The weather prospects for tho immediate future are not promising. THE rORECAST. The depression responsible for the unsettled weather of the last few days is now beginning to.move off New Zealand, and barometers commenced to rise last night over most of the Dominion. Winds were mainly north yesterday, and rather boisterous at times, especi-1 ally (luring tho night. By 9 a.m. today, however, a change to southerlios had advanced over the whole of the South Island. So far, the southerlies are only light, and there has been no marked temperature change. It is probable they' will freshen later, with a considerable fall of temperature. Eain has again been almost general with many heavy falls, among which are the following: Cambridge 111 points; Pakihiroa (East Coast neighbourhood), 1203 points; Morumoko (near Tolaga Bay),- 330 points; Farewell Spit, 115 points; Collingwood,. 312 points; Wellington, 218 points; Groymouth, 110 points; and Arthur's Pass, 120 points. The forecast is for westerly to southwesterly winds north of Auckland, and over'the South Island; elsewhere, northerly to north-westerly, but southcrlies later ' becoming general; moderate at first, but freshening to strong later. The weather should be changeable and showery in most districts, but improving soon, on the West Coast of the South Island, temperatures becoming colder. . "... : ...... „