THE WEATHER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17424, 19 September 1918, Page 4

THE WEATHER

SUDDEN RETURN TO WINTER. FALL OF SNOW IN DUNEDIN. Though there was a fairly heavy drop in temperature on Tuesday evening, there were not many who would have ventured to predict our actual climatio conditions. Early yesterday morning there was a heavy fall of rain and hail, and subsequently snow fell heavily. Though the streets were too wet and muddy for the snow to lie long, it rapidly gathered on the open spaoes and high ground. At daybreak there were signs of snow on the hills, and these becamo more marked as the day advanced, falls of snow being fairly frequent throughout- themorning. There were also Wo or three .fight falls in the afternoon. The sudden climatio change will be severely felt by newly-born lambs, and a serious mortality among them is probable. At midnight the cold was still severe, and the weather was unreliable. . strange spectacle for Oamaru of snow in September was witnessed a little before 11 o'clock yesterday. The fall, though .heavy and driven by a strong southerly wind, was (says the Mail) of short duration, the sun again appearing after a brief space. In the back country, however, a good deal of snow has fallen.- A further heavy fall of snow set in later in the afternoon. SNOW AT MASTERTON. (Peb United Pbess association.) MASTERTON, September 18. A heavy fall of snow occurred in Masterton and the surrounding country t.hTo afternoon. A considerable mortality among lambs is feared. HEAVY RAINFALL AT WELLINGTON. CHILD'S NARROW ESCAPE. WELLINGTON, September 18. There was a heavy downpour of rain last night, and further driving rams, accompanied by hail, were experienced today. During last night's fall a resident -of Terrace Garden was startled by a loud crash. Investigation showed that the concrete retaining wall at the back of the house had collapsed, bursting in the Wfr door and pushing in the walls of the house. A small child narrowly escaped death. HEAVY RAIN AT OHRISTCHURCJH. RIVERS RUNNING HIGH. CHRISTCHURCH, September 18. Three days' warm wind in the hills country caused a good thaw, and this was followed. by heavy rain. As a result all tha rivers are running high, and the Waimaka- - Tin has overflowed in several places. The Main North road is impassable for vehicular traffic,-and in the neighbourhood of Belfast many farms are under water. Crops have been dart&ged, and slight losses of stock have taken place. An exceptionally strong south-west gale has been blowing "all day, with occasional showers of hail and sleet. ' SNOW AT ALEXANDRA. SERIOUS OUTLOOK FOR FARMERS AND ORCHARDISTS. •From .Oub Own Cobbespondent.) ALEXANDRA, September 18. Succeeding iho warm, drying wind of yesterday, last night brought a sudden change of cold, squally winds, with intermittent heavy showers of snow, reachingdown to the low lands. This creates a serious outlook for the sheep farmers and the orchardist-s. Mortality among the lambs was previously high, but this will make mattoi-s worse. The unusual sight of snow and blossom, on the apricot trees may be seen. The coating on the hills will increase - the danger of late frosts, and the season is already late. OTHER MESSAGES (Fbom Ode Own Cobrespondbkts.) ROXBURGH, September 18. During the past few days we have been experiencing a series of gales. Yesterday afternoon these were succeeded by a cold snap, m:d snow began to fali on the but- f rounding hills. This morning there is a light coating on the low land, and it is still snowing slightly. T'APANUI September 18. Early this morning snow fell to a depth of about 3in on the low country, and up till midday there were heavy showers. Tha weather is most unseasonable, and will bo severe on flocks, as lambing is general on most farms. Seed-sowing will also be delavcd, and the present break in the weather adds to a backward spring. ARROWTOWN. September 18. Another snowstorm is beingr experienced. Snow commenced to fall early this morning, and has continued throughout the day. In places there is a depth of 2in on the low country. Britain loaned £1.186,000,000 to her Allies up to Decembr, 1917, and £175,000,000 to the dominions.