THE WEATHER

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6131, 18 March 1898, Page 3

THE WEATHER

An exceedingly heavy thujderstorm • passed over the northern distii'eS yesterday afternoon. The thunder vas 5 almost continuous for half an hour, &-ad the" lightning was very vivid. At CuSti there was a heavy fall of hail, the sbnes b"esng lumps of ice. Heavy rain fell all over the district, but between Amberleyand Waipara the downpour was phenohenal, the lowlands being flooded in a short) time. About 3 p.m. yesterday, writes our Leeston • correapondent, there vere heavy peals ot thunder over the ElUsmere district, and there was every iudiaition of a storm. Up till the time of the mail closing, however, no rain worth nentioning fell. The district is suffering severely through the absence of rain, aid farmers are hoping against hope for the deluge which does not come. Unless rain falls soon to give the feeti a start, it will be an exceptionally hard winter for stock. Yesterday's holiday at Timart was considerably marred by showers during the afternoon. The morning was very fine, but at midday the sky becam9 overcast from the south, and a few showers fell. At Ashburton yesterday, the early part of the day was fine and pleasant; but about two o'clock a thunderstorm occurred, with heavy rain, and lasted about half an hour.