A WILD NIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 138, 7 December 1929, Page 8

A WILD NIGHT

STORMY WEATHEK GENERAL

After several successive days and nights of unpleasantly strong nor'westers, the elements last night and early this morning apparently tried to cap all previous efforts. Terrific gusts of wind, accompanied by torrential rain, were very disturbing to slumbers and played general havoc in gardens. In several instances, tiles, chimney pots, and sheets of roofing iron sheds had by this morning descended to ground level. Branches of trees, too, were torn off by the wind, and altogether it was one of the wildest nights Wellington has experienced for some time. The wind reached its maximum force at 9.30 p.m. yesterday, when a gust of 60 miles an hour was recorded at Kelburn. But it continued to blow with considerable violence throughout tho night and early morning, and at 5.13 a.m. to-day there was another, strong gust, one of 59 miles an hour. Since then, however, conditions have moderated. During the gale some heavy rain squalls added another 20 points to the month's total, which is now eight points over an inch. An extensive depression has been responsible for the stormy conditions of the last few days. This still covers the Dominion and has gained in intensity. In the far south the barometer fell yesterday as low as 29.10 inches, hence the strong northerly to. westerly winds. Severe gales have been experienced in exposed parts in and south of Cook Strait and stormy conditions have bean fairly general. Greymouth experienced a tornado which did some damage, and south of New Plymouth and Castlepoint rain has fallen, the precipitation being heaviest, in districts with a westerly aspect and over the high country of tho South Island. .Arthur's Pass had just over three inches of rain.

The forecast issued at noon to-day indicates that strong northerly to westerly winds will back to the south-west in about 24 hours. Squally and changeable weather with passing showers may still bo expected, especially in western districts and in the high country. With the change in wind direction temperatures will become lower.