THE WEATHER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14924, 29 August 1910, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

A WINTRY S'N-AP.i HEAVY RAIN AND AIL SHOWERS. SNOW ON THE HIGH LEVELS. Dunedin was visited' yesterday by a typical wintry blast from the south-west. Its presence, was first felt on Saturday evening, when cold rain and sleet fell. Yesterday the tondrtipus became very much worse, and throughout the day a. gale blew from: southeast and south-west, with intermittent heavy showers of hail and sleet. About 12.30 there was a very heavy fall of hail,- and- the' ground bore a white covering as a result. A still heavier fall occurred about 6 o'clock, and for the remainder of the evening the streets were thickly coveted with hail and sleet. The surrounding hills were perfectly white, and the view obtained of Mount Cargill during a temporary lull was particularly fine. Tho weather continued cold and boisterous throughout the evening. (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTOHURCH, August 27. A sudden change in the weather took place early this morning, the almost spring-like days experienced recently giving-place to,, a southerly blow almost Antarctic' in its severity. . Snow fell on the higher levels on the Port Hills, and falls of snow are reported from various country districts. Rain fell in the city during the • morning and the afternoon, but towards evening the 'weather showed signs of improving. August 28. The southerly Wow continued during Saturday night and to-day, and 'the higher points of the Port Hills received an additional, coating of snow. In the city there was a slight fall of snow during the night and early morning, but all traces disappeared after the sun had been shining for an hour or so. To-day was fine, but a piercingly cold wind was blowing. Reports from the Met liven district record one of the most severe gales ever experienced. At 10 o'clock on Saturday morning three inches of snow were on the ground, and snow was still falling. The change has come at a very critical time, as many of the flocks are lambing, and heavy mortality is euro to result, l'rost is also sure to follow this snowstorm, and feed for stock, which is none too plentiful at present, will be further reduced. Snow was still falling very heavily at Methven at 1 o'clock on Saturday. So heavy is the snow lying at Barr Hill and the adjacent district that the mail from Rakaia to Methven by coach was unable to get through, The weather has no appearanco of clearing, and very heavy snow is reported from tho back country stations. Twelve inches of snow aro lying at Springburn and Alford Forest. , ASHBURTON, August 27. After a particularly cold winter, with froste of exceptional severity, spring-like weather set in at the beginning of" this wook, and warm winds, culminating in a heavy; nor'-west gale yesterday, have been' experienced during the last three days. A sudden change set in during the ni4t. Kam commenccd to fall soon after midnight, and about 3 -a.m. there was a 'igiifc fall- of snow, succeeded by heavy rain, but at 6 o'clock the snow again commenoed, and it fell very heavily for two hours, lying to a depth of lin in town and suburbs. At 10 o'clock tho snow recommenced, and fell slightly till noon. In the upper parts of the country the fali 1S V°™ 2 ' n n , s , lx miles U P 3i " a t Methven and Mayfield, and 6in at Mount Somers. brave fears are expressed for tile stock, lambing having been early in the country surrounding the town.