THE WEATHER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15333, 16 June 1910, Page 8

THE WEATHER.

STORM IN NORTH CANTERBURY. At an early hour yesterday morning there .was a decided change from the recent mild weather in North Canterbury. Before midnight tho clouds commenced to bank up in tho west and south, and about three hours later a heavy thunderstorm passed over the district, accompanied by a downpour of rain. The temperature dropped rapidly, and snow commenced to fall on the hills, and later on tho plains. There was a considerable fall in the ranges from Oxford to the Anjuri, and about an inch of snow was reported at Springfield, and at dawn the plains were coated to tho depth of an inch in some parts of tho district. From the Weka Pass to Culvorden the flats were white, and tho ranges to the north-west of Culverden were heavily coated. The. storm soon spent itself, the weather clearing up again during tho morning. At Cheviot the storm was very heavy, snow and rain falling until about noon. A good fall of snow* followed by sharp frosts, would be welcomed by farmers. Passengers who arrived from Akaroa yesterday morning state that very inclement weather was experienced there, and a good doal of sleet fell when the coach reached the hill-top. A COLD SNAP. SNOW AT KAIKOURA. [Fkou Cub Correspondent.] KAIKOURA, June 15. . After some weeks’ mild autumn weather a strong sou’-west gale sprang up this morning, and heavy, steady rain commenced. At nine o’clock heavy snow began to fall, but the rain prevented it from lying. This is the first snow to fall in the township for three years. Tho weather is bitterly cold. At iioon there were no signs of the weather clearing. SNOW IN SOUTH CANTERBURY. HEAVY FALL AT GERALDINE. [From Opr Correspondent.] GERALDINE, June 15. At Ashburton at five o’clock this morning the ground was covered to a depth of fully two inches with snow. At Hinds there was three inches. The whole of the upper and lower Rangitata plains was covered to a depth of three inches. At Orari and Winchester tho fall had been so slight that at daybreak the roads and paddocks were quite clear. At Geraldine, and away back to Four Peaks, and all through tho Woodbury and Orari Gorge districts, there is a difpth of snow varying from three to five inches. In parts of the Geraldine township there are four, five and up to six inches. In the back country, fortunately for sheepowners. tho sudaen snowstorm came from tho south, and has not reached beyond the fronts and high parts of the mountain ranges. The weather just now is beautifully fine throughout tho whole of tho Mid and South Canterbury districts. [From Our Correspondent.] ASHBURTON, June 15. After enjoying comparatively springlike weather yesterday (62 degrees in the shade) a change in the weather conditions occurred this morning at 1.30, when a thunderstorm was experienced, followed by heavy rain, sleet and snow. This morning there was a thickness of about one inch of snow in Ashburton. and three inches on the flat country within a rndiu3 of several miles from the ranges. A heavy fall occurred in the back country, and the hills were covered to tho base wjth snow. On the flat country it diminished rapidly to-day, when the weather was fine. It is now three years sine© there was a snowfall to any significant depth in Ashburton. The fall will have a good effect in sweetening the soil, and will have a markedly beneficial effect in other ways. Seven and a half degrees of frost were registered hero this morning. Tho snow only extends in a north-easterly direction to Fairfield. Th© rainfall amounted to ,81in. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, June 15. Th© coldest temperature up to t-he present this year was recorded to-day-At noon the thermometer read 66dog. The next lowest temperature was recorded on Mav 18 last, when tho temperature was 57deg.