LIGHTNING EFFECTS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1934, Page 4

LIGHTNING EFFECTS

WEIRD CLOUD FORMATION.

PHENOMENON IN EASTERN SKY.

North Taranaki residents were treated to a rare and weird phenomenon £n the eastern sky for some time after sundown last night. When it was first observed reddish cumulus clouds formed what was likened to a mirage of Mount Egmont reflected in the sky.

The phenomenon then took another turn. On one side a red glow appeared, just like the eruption of -a volcano, the glow rising and spreading out almost in mushroom formation. This continued for nearly half an hour and was accompanied by lightning flashes and the distinct booming sound of thunder. There were, many rumours circulating regarding the causes, some being that there had been an eruption of Ruapehu or Ngauruhoe. A well known authority who had observed the clouds at about 7.15 expressed the opinion that the cause was a severe local thunderstorm about 30 to 40 miles away in the direction of Ohura. He stated that the phenomenon observed often accompanied electrical disturbances.