ANOTHER STORM

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8738, 21 May 1914, Page 4

ANOTHER STORM

BLOW FROM THE SOUTHWARD BUT FINE WEATHER FOR WEEKEND IS EXPECTED. Though Wellington is likely to experience another storm from the south* wai'd before very long, there is a pros* pect that it will not tarry in tha neighbourhood of the capital, and a reasonably fine week-end is quite possible. Yesterday’s fine weather cama as a welcome relief after the wind and rain of recent days, but a change for the worse is at hand.

Last night the Dominion Meteorologist forecasted variable and stronfj breezes, changing to increasing southerlies everywhere shortly. Cold, stormy, and showery conditions are likely to prevail, with snow on the higher levels in tho south. Mr Batea said that the present mild conditions were not to lo trusted, as the glass was falling for a southerly blow, which is duo some time to-day. When it ar- u

rives, tho barometer will rise again fast. The worst effects of the cyclonu have passed in the north, and when tho track of tho westerly .low pressure area passes tho southerly will maka iteclf felt.

The coming storm, however, is likely to be short and sharp. It will not be anything like so severe and extensive as the one experienced earlier in the week, and there is just a chance that it may ho comparatively gentle. Many people are under the impression that Wellington has had a -very heavy rainfall this month, and one prominent citizen wrote to tho Meteorological Office questioning tho accuracy of tho published figures in this connection. He suggested that there must ha a leak in tho rain gauge. As a matter of fact, the Dominion Meteorologist uses throe rain gauges, which are all well exposed and are carefully read. Tho fall has not really boon very heavy at all; certainly not anything like so heavy as many people seem to think. In the twenty days since tho beginning of the month only 5.48 inches of rain has fallen in Wellington.

A proper rainfall was reported to Mr Bates yesterday by Mr Gould, the observer at Potumanu, near Wairoa. Ho telegraphed that a heavy southerly, with continuous ram, had prevailed since Saturday afternoon. So for 27 inches of rain had been recorded by him, and ho reported much damage in tho district. Such a rainfall has never been recorded in Wellington.