HEAVY WIND AND RAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 150, 1 July 1946, Page 4

HEAVY WIND AND RAIN

A BLEAK WEEK-END SNOW AT WAIOURU Boisterous weather in Wangaiui over the week-end terminated a week of wintry conditions, with gusts cf wind of gale force, heavy sporadic rain and low temperatures the predominate features. Wanganui and north were the worst sufferers, and although it was wet and miserable'nland and south these districts did not have a share of the wind. Just on half an inch of rain fell over the week-end. bringing the total for the week to 1.60 inches. The only sunshine registered was 1.9 hours bn Friday.

The main effect was the gale, which did minor damage in blowing out trees, sheets of iron off buildings and in the Waverley district power lights were brought down on Friday night. The desert road is reported to be closed by snowg -with one car marooned. If further rain is experienced it is expected that the road will be cleared, but otherwise the position may be aggravated to-day. The Parapara Road was closed by slips for a short while on Saturday, but. was re-opened before the night came. Care is needed to negotiate this road, one motorist who came over it yesterday morning stating that spoil in some places was across two-thirds of the road surface. Fairly heavy snow fell at Waiouru over lhe week-end, and at Ohakune a light fall was experienced yesterday morning.

Taihape has had it wet and cold, but not stormy. In Marlon it rained all day Saturday, but. the only wind was a light south easterly breeze in <he afternoon. Yesterday it drizzled ill morning, but in the afternoon no rain was experienced, although the sky continued to be heavily overcast. Last night conditions were showing further si rm of improvement, but the sky was still well clouded, with few stars showing. For the first time in five days the Marton footpaths yesterday afternon were dry. Cold and bleak conditions prevailed in Wanganui again yesterday, and few people ventured out from warm firesides. The maximum temperature recorded at St. John's Friends’ School yesterday was 42 degrees. Rainfall was .20 inches, and sunshine again was nil. VESSEL BREEZE

Scheduled to sail for Wellington on Saturday afternoon the m.v. Breeze was unable to leave the Wanganui wharf because of the boisterous state of the weather. A strong wind blowing straight into the river mouth made conditions far too hazardous for any attempt to be made 10 cross the bar. The Breeze will sail today provided the bar conditions are sufficiently improved.