THE WEATHER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12737, 10 August 1903, Page 6

THE WEATHER.

So far as stockownors wero concerned, tho weather that prevailed on Saturday morning was most welcome. , After the snowstorm on July. 10 and 11 it was recognised that a warm wind or warm rain wae :noces,3ary. before it could bo hoped that the .snow would disappear quickly enough, to Rive the 1 shepp a chance of getting food. (Fov-- four'weeks the hopes of the owners were ■ disappointed, and during that time tho weather was vory severe, cold southerly winds and in'tenso frosts prevailing ahnost without interruption, A warm wind from the north «et in on' Saturday .morning, .however, and information to hand, though somewhat scant, indicates that tho snow lias .boon melting rapidly. In some places, indeed, it was feared that tho sudden thaw might rceult in a, flood j but whatovor. danger ■there may havo been in this direction would probably be averted by tho change that took place on Saturday afternoon, when ths wind changed to tho south and again became cold. The clcaranco of snow will probably have boon sufficient to allow the sheep to move about a little, and 1 tho lower country mny possibly bo free-from its coat■mi?, in which case the outlook will be considerably improved. ■■ ■ Tlie Railway Department received advice on Saturday from Hyde- and Ida, Valley- to the effect that a rapid thaw had set iu. The snow wae apparently melting vory fast, as it was suggested that a flood was within •the'bounds of possibility, .Nothing of-this Baturo has, however, 'taken place so far. Our pamaru correspondent telegraphs:— According to the latest advices, suow is still heavy oil a number of the larger otations ibeyond Knrow, but Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all 'being very mild it may bo ox-

pected that a' good thaw has been experienced right through to the West Coast. On Saturday a very dkagreeaV.e nor'-wester ■blew for soma hour.;, and was followed by rain. Brown patches are now appearing <m tho Kakamii Mountains, and this may be •taken ?. favourable .indication. Our Jtosiby correspondent telegraphed on Saturday:—A gale of wind is blowing, causing a sreat thaw, and it is probable-.a flood will fellow. ■'■■■'' Our Cromwell correspondent telegraphed on Saturday:—A warm northerly wind has 'bwsn .blowing .since "yesterday .morning. It is now raining heavily. Tho rivers arc rising, but nob ...very fast, / The snow , is ■coming away rapidly, so-high riversmay ibo expected.- ". •; .. . ;. ■'■~ ' '■'