WIDESPREAD FROST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23995, 19 June 1941, Page 8

WIDESPREAD FROST

CONDITIONS IN AUCKLAND

SNOW AT MOUNT RUAPEHU The first widespread frost of the winter in the Auckland district occurred yesterday morning and outlying places were heavily coated with white. The frost was most severe at Manurewa and Otaliuhu, where the last traces of it did not disappear until about nine o'clock. At Manurewa vegetables in a number of gardens turned black.

At Albert Park no frost was recorded, the minimum grass reading being 31 degrees, which is two degrees above the frost point. The frost was followed by clear, sunny weather, but a keen southerly wind made conditions in the city unpleasantly cold. It was stated that the frost would not adversely affect vegetables and that the potato crop at Pukekohe would not suffer as the shoots were not yet above ground. The first big fall of snow at Mount Rtiapehu this year started last Friday and continued until Monday. At Salt Hut there is about four feet of snow. The mountain road is clear now only for about two miles and it is not expected to be entirely clear before the weekend. No blockage of the main road is reported.

There are a large number of visitors at the Chateau and prospects for ski-ing are very good. The weather yesterday was fine, but a strong cold wind was blowing. EXPERIENCE IN WAIKATO 11.1 DEGREES RECORDED (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday The Waikato was coated with a mantle of white this morning, when a sharp frost was recorded. At Ruakura the reading was 11.1 degrees, and at Hamilton it was seven degrees. Many pools were covered with ice, and a bitterly cold wind prevailed. RIMUTAKA HILL ROAD WARNING ISSUED TO MOTORISTS [liV TF.T.F.GHAI'H — I'RKSS ASSOCIATION] V.'ELLTNOTOX, Wednear)ay The Wellington Automobile Association strongly advises motorists not to use the Rimutaka Hill road unless absolutely necessary. There is about loin, of snow on the summit and the road is impassable unless chains are used. Even then it is doubtful if cars will get through until conditions improve.