THE WEATHER

Otago Witness, Issue 3455, 1 June 1920, Page 27

THE WEATHER

SNOWFALL GENERAL. There has been no cessation during the I week-end of the stormy conditions which have prevailed here during the latter part of last week, but judging by the rising dency of the barometer there should be a change shortly. ■ Almost continuous heavy rain, accompanied by a strong south-west gale and occasionally by hail, fell throughout Saturday and on Sunday, and the snow which fell on Friday night is still in evidence on the high levels. It is to bo hoped that the weather will show an improvement this week, otherwise the influx of visitors to Duncdin- will be adversely affected. The thermometer continues still to hover round freezing point; on Sunday the maximum temperature recorded was 37 degrees Fahr. Duncdin has not boon: alone in experiencing the wintry spell. From Christchureh, Southland, and Otago Central come advices of severe storms. At Arrovvtown snow to a depth of 18 inches had fallen on Saturday afternoon, and? was continuing to fall, so it may bo assumed that that district has been visited by a particularly heavy snowstorm. Several other places in Otago Central are covered with a mantle of snow, and the outlook for sheep-owners is not very cheering.

TERRIFIC GALE IN CANTERBURY. CHKISTCHURCH, May 27. A tremendous south-westerly gale swept over the city in the early hours 'of this morning, damaging trees, breaking overhead wires, and disturbing whole households by its extraordinary violence. A policeman on duty says that the gale reminded him of the explosion of a big dump in Franco. The heaviest gusts tore along the streets at tremendous speed, and to wahc against them wag all but impossible.. At 2.15 a.m. a break was discovered in the transmission lines of the Lake Coleridge hydro-electric system, and it was 6 a.m. before repairs were effected ar:d the current restored Mr Skey, of the Government \ Observatory, said that during the storm the barometer rose one-tenth of an inch in a few minutes, and the thermometer 7deg. in three or four minutes. Ho believes that the gale had a record velocity for these parts. The Government steamer Tutanekai, which left Wellington at 2 p.m. yesterday for Lyttelton, in order to bunker on her way to Oamaru, where she is to pick up 30 hospital patients for Nelson, struck the gale at 1.15 a.m When opposite Conway River the vessel was hit by a westerly gale with hurricane force, which later suddenly veered to southerly, again hitting the vessel severely. Captain Post stated that it was the severest weather he had experienced

on tile Now Zealand coast. "I have done a lot of travelling around the South Sea, Islands and the Indian Ocean, but never before have I experienced anything like it. My chief officer, who has travelled round the coast for years, says the same." It is stated that this morning's . storm was of almost oyelonio violence tor about 15 minutes, and it then eased somewhat, although it continued to blow hard for nearly two hours.

May 29. Exceptionally severe weather has ruled to-day. A great deal of hail fell during the afternoon, and to-night tho whole oountrysido is white. A good deal of snow has fallen on the high country. May 30. The strong southerly gale continued last night, and to-day has been accompanied by exceptionally heavy hail showers.

IXVERCARGILL, May 27. Heavy rain and squalls have delayed loading operations at Bluff. The Westralia will probably leave for Melbourne to-night.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) f PALMERSTON, May 29. Yesterday and to-day the weather has been very rough and boisterous, with high winds and heavy rain, sleet, and snow. All the hills have a good covering of snow. MIDDLEMARCH, May 28. The <w_oather during th© past week has been boisterous and oold with occasional showers of rain. This morning it culminated in a snowstorm, which has covered all the high country with a heavy mantle and an inch or two on the plain. If the bad weather continues long, it is feared there will be a heavy mortality among the sheep this winter on the high country, as the long dry autumn has left the feed very bare. MOSGIEL, May 28. The Taieri has had a A'ery rough time in tho matter of weather during the past few days. Snow is lying all round, and Maungatua and the adjoining hills have a heavy coating. Sleet showers have been the order of the day, and a very cold wind is blowing. CROMWELL, May 28. During the last two days snowstorms have swept the high levels inland. A storm set in last night with a cold southerly blizzard, and has continued throughout tho day, and so far snows little sign of clearing. May 29. Snow is still falling inland, and the weather shows little sign of clearing. _ So far the fall on the flats has been very light, but on the hills the deposit is heavy. On some of the low lands in the Upper Clutha there-is up to six inches of snow. ARROWTOWN. May 29. There was a yerv heavy fall of snow throughout the district last night, 18 inches being registered on the low-lying country this morning. At the present moment (4 p.m.) it is still snowing, heavily. QUEENSTOWN, May 29. Snow commenced to fall early last night, and is still continuing (noon). Owing to heavy rain preceding it the snow is not lying? to anv depth. In the Kingston-Garston-Athol district * heavy fall has been experienced. "WAIPIATA. May 27. Tho rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. to-day was 47 points?* SN.OW IN CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH, May 23. Last night snow fell heavily on the higher levels in Canterbury. At Cheviot the fall was six inches. The Peninsula hills are capped with snow.