WINTRY WEEK-END

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23886, 14 August 1939, Page 7

WINTRY WEEK-END

JNVERCARGILL UNDER SNOW HEAVIEST FALL FOR YEARS INLAND DISTRICTS ESCAPE LIGHTLY 'Special to Daily Times) INVERCARGILL, Aug. 13. A snowfall which began in Invercargill on Friday evening continued during the night and citizens awoke on Saturday morning to find the deepest coating experienced in the city for at least 13 years. The weather was wintry throughout the week-end, further light falls of snow occurring. The conditions were aggravated bj a strong wind which began to blow on Saturday night, and continued throughout to-day. In the open, the snow reached a depth of about four inches, but in enclosed spaces, up to 6in was recorded This was about equal to a late fall at the end of September, 1926, which was about the heaviest for some years Old residents stated that the latest fall was among the heaviest over a long period. Traffic Impeded The snowfall was heaviest in the coast regions, extending along the southern coast to the extreme western habitation towards the West Coast sounds. At Riverton, the fall was heavier than at Invercargill, and the depth increased considerably between Orepuki and Tuatapere, where it was sufficient to impede traffic. The inland districts, which suffered a fortnight ago, were not seriously affected on Saturday, although most parts of the province experienced snow. The barometer over the week-end was below 29in, but it rose gradually during the day and reached 29in this evening. City Deeply Covered The city has seldom presented a more striking appearance than it did early on Saturday morning. The snow had settled evenly on the ground, on buildings, and on trees and shrubs, and it was about midday before any effect of the thaw was noticeable. The absence of wind during Saturday was responsible for a consistent covering, drifts being rare. Even fairly steep roofs in the city were completely covered, but the warmth of the sunshine about mid-day caused much of the snow to slip off. The public gardens presented a beautiful sight. Thu trees and shrubs were heavily coated, the branches and twigs of deciduous trees being delicately traced in white. The shelter plantations were particularly striking in appearance, the branches being weighed down with the quantity of snow resting on them. A Spirit of Carnival The young people of the city hailed the visitation with delight, and in the business area there was a carnival spirit abroad. On Saturday morning snow-balling was a popular pastime, and many passersby cheerfully ducked from or caught snowballs. A few persons on the footpaths received shocks when big quantities of snow suddenly dropped on them from above. A party of footballers on the balcony of an hotel had a rare time from their vantage point, and there were many bright incidents during the morning as the northern visitors took full advantage of the rare opportunity to indulge in winter sports.