THE WEATHER.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18235, 20 November 1924, Page 9

THE WEATHER.

—«— A WINTRY BURST.

Tho brcck in the weather on Tuesday night developed into extremely wintry- conditions yesterday. • Tho mild rain of the ca#y morning was followed by cold, bitter wind with a driving rain, the temperature being of mid-winter severity. Tho break did not occur in many of tho country districts very bite in the day, but tho rough buret haa been undoubtedly general. It is inevitable that newly-shorn sheep will be affected and lossea may bo looked for. It is too late for lambs to be affected unless on back stations where lambing has been late. Tlve effect on growing crops may bo serious, as «■ sp-ell of warm -weather after tho downpour may induce rust and kindred troubles. Crops generally are a record for heaviness this season, and the more advanced fields may be b:.dly "laid" by the wind and rain. The bulk of the oat crops in North Canterbury are now well in ear and in, several districts changing colour. In many eases they are level with tho fence, and it is quite likely that heavv crops of this character will go down." The rainfall record at "The Press" Office up to 1 a.m. to-day was .82in. After a succession of hot summer davs, when swimming was freely indulged both at the seaside and in the baths, _the weather changed completely at Leithfi.eld on Tuesday afternoon, when a thunderstorm arose. Commencing about 3.45, loud thunder reverberated for a considerable period. Rain ■foil heavily for an hour, but as night drew on the showers became lighter and more intermittent. Yesterday the weather was dull, cool, and showery, the rainfall un to 10 a.m. being .065 in. thus making the rainfall for November 2.55 in.

A steady, soaking rain set in at Akaroa yesterday before noon, the weather for the rest of the day being thick and dirtv.

After a spell of fine weather, rain set it from the south-west at Methven on Tuesday, and continued throughout tht> night, S8 points being registered at 9. a.m. yesterday, when it \vas still raining heavily. The rain will interfere with shearing operations. Rain set in rit Ashburton at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and continued throughout yesterday. Twenty-eight ix>ints • were registered at the Domain weather station up to 9 a.m. yesterday. Very lino weather was experienced last week at Pendai'ves, and on Saturday and Sunday quite strong nor'-west winds w?re blowing. By Monday the wind had veered to the south-west, on Tuesday the atmosphere became much colder, end during the evening light lain began to fail. This continued through the night, and yesterday thick driving rain had well set in. Shearing has been in full progress for some weeks past, but will now be checked for a little time, and the cold snap will be rather severely felt by tho newly-shorn sheep. The rain will no doubt do good to rape ami growing crops, but accompanied as it is by blustering wind, it may have rather a serious effect on the advanced crops, such as early oats and wheat. These have made very rapid growth during the mild weather, and in consequence are inclined to be soft and are likely to be considerably flattened if heavy rain continues. After very Warm weather at Geraldine, there was a change on Tuesday when rain threatened, but save for a few drops it held up till ilight, and frequent showers have followed. A big drop in the temperature has made it appear like a return of winter. Apparently there has been a fall of snow on the ranges.