SOUTHERLY GALE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 135, 5 December 1938, Page 10

SOUTHERLY GALE

WELLINGTON BUFFETED

89 MILES AN HOUR AT

RONGOTAI

Wellington has just experienced one of the strongest southerly blows for many years, the only bright spot in an otherwise devastating visitation being the fact, that the southerly was not as cold as it might have been. Accompanying the wind, which was at its strongest during last" night, was very heavy rain, just under two inches being recorded. The weather all day on Saturday was windy, a strong draught coming from the north or north-west, but the afternoon was fine and sunny. The forecast, however, indicated a southerly change, which was likely to be accompanied by rain, and the forecast was right, although perhaps the official forecasters did not expect such a very excessive fulfilment of their prediction. ''The weather yesterday was threatening with intermittent rain, but in the early part of the day there was very little wind. During the afternoon, however, conditions became steadily worse. The southerly wind began to increase in force, temperatures fell, and the rain became more persistent. It was the reverse of summer weather. During the night the southerly became stronger and stronger, apparently reaching its maximum just before 6.30 a.m. today. At that time there was a gust at Kelburn which registered a velocity of 74 miles an hour, while at Rongotai, which is more exposed to the south than Kelburn, the wind's velocity was 89 miles an hour. This, however, was not an isolated strong gust. There were plenty of others with nearly as much fury behind them. VERY HEAVY RAIN. Out of this unseasonable visitation Wellington has been soaked by nearly two inches of rain. Prior to 9 a.m. yesterday four points were recorded at Kelburn; several more points were added during the day, but it was between 6 p.m. and 1.30 a.m. that the rain was really heavy. Most of the 182 points which the gauges showed at 9 a.nr today fell between those hours. This is the heaviest 24-hour rainfall that Wellington has experienced for a very long time. Conditions this morning were moderating. The rain had eased off, and although the wind was extremely strong and gusty it was showing signs of abating. Widespread devastation in gardens was all too apparent this morning: what the wind had failed to blow down the rain had beaten down, with the result that many a promising summer display has been ruined. The undoubtedly beneficial effects of the rain will be but a poor solace to the gardener who finds his garden practically ruined. Vegetation has made such luxurious growth recently that it became a too easy prey to the elements last night. HUTT RAILWAY UNDAMAGED. No damage was done to the Hutt railway line —in fact, the sea running in the harbour was less than what might have been expected. At the time of the peak of this morning's traffic the tide was low, and it was as much as an odd wave or two could do to spray the passing railway carriages. There was, however, a delay of ten to fifteen minutes in the running of some trains, this being due to the salt spray interfering with the electrical signalling apparatus and not to any damage to the track.

Although highly discoloured by rain, the Hutt River this morning was not in excessively high flood.