LATE FALL OF SNOW

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 4

LATE FALL OF SNOW

return to wintry WEATHER

SOUTHLAND RIVERS IN HIGH FLOOD An unwelcome return to wintry weather occurred in Southland yesterday, light snow falling in many parts of the province. Except on the high back country the snow did not lie as it was accompanied by rain, but temperatures dropped sharply. . , In Invercargill yesterday morning the weather was fine and cold, but about midday showers of rain and snow began to fall. The weather was bitterly cold for a few hours, but became warmer later in the afternoon and was fine during the greater part of the evening. . In the country districts farmers viewed the change of weather with concern because lambing was in progress or just beginning and a cold snap would increase their difficulties and probably cause losses. Better conditions last night led them to hope that the bad weather would be of short duration. At the Iron Bridge the Oreti river overflowed its banks yesterday morning and covered the road to a depth of about two feet at midday. At about 6.30 o’clock it was estimated that there were three feet of water over the road, but a rapid fall was expected. Bitterly cold weather was experienced at Lumsden yesterday and heavy showers of rain and snow fell during the afternoon. Snow accumulated on the hills surrounding the township during the day and on the back ranges a heavy snowfall occurred on Tuesday night. The Oreti river rose sharply at Lumsden on Tuesday night after a day of heavy rain, but it fell yesterday to about two feet above normal. Last night it was falling slowly and the weather was fine. TRAIN HELD UP On Monday the train from Invercargill to Kingston was unable to travel beyond Parawa where the line was flooded to a depth of four feet. Road communication was also interrupted, but was resumed yesterday. Snow fell for nearly an hour after 1 p.m. at Winton yesterday, but because of the wet state of the ground it did not lie. The weather was very cold and rain fell at intervals throughout the day and at times was accompanied by sleet. The Oreti river at Winton was very high yesterday morning but was falling. Water covered the road on the eastern side of the Oreti bridge but traffic was able to get through without difficulty. The tremendous volume of water flowing' under the bridge has caused a slight bend in the bridge and signs warning motorists to proceed slowly have been placed at each end. The Southland County Council’s gravel crushing plant about 100 yards above the bridge is completely surrounded by deep water and only a little more than the hood of a lorry standing nearby is showing. After a fine sunny morning rain again set in throughout Eastern Southland yesterday afternoon. District rivers continued to rise overnight and during yesterday morning, but readings, taken yesterday afternoon showed an improvement. Further falls of snow occurred at Garston yesterday and there was also a light fall at Balfour. A river report issued by the Gore postmaster (Mr M. P. Anderson) at 4.30 o’clock yesterday afternoon stated: Gore: River sft 3in above normal. Weather overcast and rain falling.

Gleneray: River slightly above normal. Weather fair.

Waikaia: River 2ft above normal. Raining. • Garston: River 2ft Bin above normal. Snowing lightly all day. Balfour: River sft 9in above normal and falling. Light snow falling. Considerable water was lying on the road between Gore and Tapanui yesterday, and at Pomahaka there was a fair depth, ranging up to 18in in the banked portions of the road. Motorists were advised not to use this road in the meantime but to make a detour via the Tweedie’s Ford road, which was clear.

Most of the streams in the southern part of Otago were running high yesterday, but the rain had ceased and there were indications that theie would be no further flood danger. The Main South road was clear.

SNOWFALLS REPORTED IN SOUTH CANTERBURY (United Press Association) TIMARU, September 13. After a period of fine warm weather South Canterbury experienced a cold snap on Tuesday night and this morning snowfalls are reported from several parts of the district. On the hilltops at Cave, 20 miles from Timaru, there was a fall of about three inches, but in Fairlie up to six inches fell. A thaw set in later in the morning and at Fairlie and places nearer the coast the snow rapidly disappeared. SNOW ON HIGH LEVELS IN MID-CANTERBURY (United Press Association) ASHBURTON, September 13. Snow fell on the higher levels of the Ashburton county last night, ranging from an inch at Mount Somers to six inches at Clent Hills in the Ashburton gorge. The lower part of the county had heavy rain. Lambs are likely to suffer.