RAIN, HAIL AND SNOW

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19601, 13 June 1935, Page 8

RAIN, HAIL AND SNOW

WAIKATO’S EXPERIENCE. UNSETTLED WEATHER CONDITIONS SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SUFFER. —S— ’ \ Rain on the lowlands, snow in ths hieher altitudes and bitterly cold hail and sieet in all localities established unique wintry conditions throughout the Waikato and King Country district yesterday and this morning. The sun has but rarely shone since Saturday and snow has been experienced in several districts for the first time in many years. A frost of 2.5 degrees was registered in Hamilton this morning. Bleak, boisterous winds made the rain unpleasantly penetrating yesterday afternoon. The atmosphere was truly southern and those who were required to move about out-of-doors sought the comfort of heavy coats and mufflers. Rain fell continually and the gauge registration of .35in. yesterday brought the total recording since Saturday to 3.56 in. Reports received from district correspondents of the Waikato Times indicate the general nature of the cold snap. Matamata has had its share of the rough weather. Thunder and lightning and heavy rain storms accompanied by very cold . winds have been experienced and snow has been noticed on the Kaimais on recent mornings.

Wintry conditions continued in the Cambridge district this week; and yesterday was bitterly cold with driving showers and hail during the afternoon.- On the Maungatautari range a fall of snow was experienced. Snow fell on the range during the afternoon for a lengthy period .

Bitterly cold conditions prevailed at Putaruru this morning and a considerable fall of snow has been experienced throughout the district. The fall at Lichfield lasted some 20 minutes yesterday afternoon while snow was lying at .Arapuni this morning. Other districts south of Putaruru experienced a light fall, and local residents state that the fall has been fully a month earlier than in previous years.

Cold driving rains continued at Te Kuiti yesterday, and snow has fallen on the higher country. The heavy rains have oaused the rivers to flood, and yesterday the Upper Mokau flooded the main Highway about nine miles south of Te Kuiti to a depth of a foot. The water rose gradually through the day, but no difficulty was experienced in negotiating the flooded section. Owing to willows having been cleared, it is unlikely the river will rise sufficiently high to inconvenience traffic to any extent. As a coating of metal has been laid, little trouble was experienced on the road construction works at Mapiu, which were formerly difficult to negotiate after rain.

WEATHER IN AUCKLAND. -COLD BOISTEROUS WIND. AUCKLAND, Thursday. In Auckland the weather was exceptionally cold yesterday. A boisterous south-westerly wind with sharp showers made conditions very unpleasant. A severe hailstorm was experienced In Queen Street shortly after two o’clock in the afternoon, and although the stones were not particularly large, they lay in the gutters and on windowledges for some time. Hail also fell in the suburbs.