THE WEATHER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22825, 9 March 1936, Page 4

THE WEATHER

A WINTRY WEEK-END SPORTS FIXTURES POSTPONED Warm, sunny weather and almost an entire absence of wind gave promise, on Saturday morning, of a fine week-end, but shortly before 1 p.m. a sudden drop in the temperature and a blustery southwest wind proved the forerunner of heavy, driving rain which continued at frequent intervals until yesterday morning. The change necessitated a postponement of the majority of the sporting fixtures set down for Saturday afternoon, and also rendered conditions particularly unpleasant for six large parties of picnickers who had left town in the morning. Despite the rough weather, however, thf Ravensbourne Regatta Club succeeded in holding its annual fixture. Between 1 p.m. and midnight on Saturday over half an inch of rairil fell, and the tempera; ture, which had reached a maximum of 70 degrees in the forenoon, had fallen to 45 degrees by midnight. The rain was Particularly heavy in tbf» earlier part of yesterday morning, but as the day advanced it eased off considerably and during the afternoon this sun shone at intervals, although the temperature was still low. In the eveninn conditions again became very wintry, and intermittent sleety showers' accompanied the cold south-westerly wind. The minimum temperature for the 24 hours ended at 9 p.m. was 43 degrees. MAIN ROADS CLEAR. The secretary of the Automobile Association (Otago) advised last evening that the Dunedin-Christchurch and DunedinInvercargill main highways were clear. Snow, however, was falling between T<? Anau and Lumsden, and there had also been a heavy fall on the Pigroot. Motor ists travelling by this latter route arc advised to exercise care. CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, March 8. A boisterous southerly wind and fin*! weather prevailed on Saturday, but today the wind was a moderate south-west, Conditions were cloudy and unsettled, showers being experienced during the morning. The barometer has failed to 29.60 inches. WELLINGTON, March 8. Saturday was fine and sunny, with a, light north-westerly breeze. The maximum temperature was 70.3 degrees. The night was calm and clear till a cold southerly wind began about 2.30 a.m. The sky became overcast and a drizzle commenced shortly after 9 a.m. to-day.' continuing intermittently throughout the day, which remained overcast and dull. A southerly wind of moderate strength averaged 15 miles an hour, with gusts of over 30 miles per hour. Until 4 p.m. to-day 17 points of rain were recorded at Kelburn. The minimum temperature on Saturday night was 49 degrees, and the maximum to-day 50.9 degrees. CHRISTCHURCH, March 8. The weather was sharply contrasting during the week-end. Yesterday was brilliantly sunny with only a light breeze, but late in the evening the sky clouded over and light rain commenced to fall. The wind turned to a southerly during the night and to-day was bitterly cold, with a moderate breeze driving a steady but light rain. The barometer has fallen to 29.81 inches.