SUDDEN COLD SNAP

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 November 1935, Page 6

SUDDEN COLD SNAP

Hail and Snow in Many Parts of South Taranaki MUCH DAMAGE TO GARDENS HEAVY RAIN ELSEWHERE

Hail fell for 20 minutes at Normanby and OkaiaAva shortly after noon to-day and the countryside around Riverlea and Awatuna carried a white mantle—a most unusual sight at this season of the year. Light snoAV fell on the Sheet Road, and the Avholo of the district between Hawera and Mt. Eglnont appeared to suffer the effects of a sudden drop in temperature with a change in Avind direction to the south.

Enquiries by telephone elicited the information from Mr J. P. Murphy at Dawson Falls that snow fell for 10 minutes this morning and another fall had just commenced at 2 o’clock this afternoon. It was not expected that the snow would remain long owing to the warmth of the ground. “We have had Similar experiences on the mountain in other years,” said Mr Murphy. “Conditions recently have been mild and this sudden cold snap comes as a reminder of the vagaries of the weather to bo expected at this level.” The mountain yesterday carried no more than the usual “cap” of snow, but after to-day’s fall it is expected that the snow line will extend down to the bush. It was extremely cold out-of-doors but there was no wind. Following light showers during the morning heavy rain fell throughout other parts of South Taranaki early this afternoon. The sky remained heavily overcast and there was a steady downpour for an hour at Hawera 'at which the weather cleared slightly to the south-east. Between Hawera and Eltham traces remained on the roadside of heavy hail which fell at mid-day. The rain was not continuous enough to cause any appreciable rise in rivers and no damage was reported. In those areas affected by hail and snow, however, the loss to fruit growers and gardeners will be considerable.