WINTRY WEATHER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 4, 5 July 1939, Page 10

WINTRY WEATHER

VERY COLD AND SHOWERY

Special forecast for Wellington:— Strong- southerly winds, reaching: gale force at times. Weather very cold and changeable, with passing showers. Hail probable and snow on the ranges. The general forecast for the Dominion as a whole, issued at noon today for the ensuing twenty-four hours, is for winds between west and north at first north of Gisborne and Kawhia. Otherwise south-easterlies to southwesterlies will prevail. These will be moderate at first in Westland and in the north-eastern part of the North Island, but elsewhere winds will be strong, with gales iri exposed positions. The weather generally will be changeable with passing showers, conditions being better on the West Coast of the South Island than elsewhere. Temperatures will be very cold, and hail is probable, with snow down to low levels. A deep depression was centred yesterday near the Chatham Islands, and a well-marked secondary crossed the South Island during the afternoon. Pressure has remained high over southeastern Australia. Apart from strong westerly winds over Hie Auckland peninsula, winds have been mainly southerly in direction and moderate in force, although they have been strong at times in the eastern part of the South Island. The weather has been cold and changeable, with scattered showers in most districts, the only area to escape rain being the West Coast of the South Island. The ranges have received liberal coatings of snow. Hail and sleet have fallen in a number of places, with snow down to low levels in the south. Falls of rain have averaged about half an inch, but some heavier falls have been 78 points at Cape Egmont and 73 at Farewell Spit. There were thunderstorms last night in parts of the North Island. The anticyclone coming from the Tasman has made little progress eastward, and pressure today is still low over the New Zealand area. Today's weather generally is still squally and changeable, with frequent rain and hail showers. Temperatures are cold everywhere, readings in much of the South Island being only two or three degrees above freezing point.

Auckland had heavy rain yesterday morning, but conditions impi-oved during the day, although further passing showers were experienced. A thunderstorm with heavy rain passed over the city during the evening, and there were further showers last night, 98 points of rain being recorded up to 9 a.m. today. A cool westerly wind prevailed all day, the strongest gust having a velocity of 43 miles an hour. The maximum and minimum temperatures were 58.2 and 45.8 degrees respectively. The weather this morning was still changeable and showery, with cooler temperatures. A brisk southerly breeze prevailed in Wellington, but the weather remained fine with passing cloud until the evening. Temperatures were cold, 50 degrees being the maximum and 39.8 degrees the minimum, and 3.1 hours of bright sunshine were recorded. Heavy rain began to fall about 9.30 p.m. and there were frequent showers all night, the rainfall at Kelburn up to 9 a.m. today totalling 61 points. The weather this morning was continuing cold and showery, and snow was falling on the Orongorongo and Tararua Ranges.

In Christchurch yesterday it was overcast and showery all day, 53 points of rain being recorded. A moderate south-westerly wind prevailed and temperatures were vex*y cold, the maximum being only 43 degrees. The minimum temperature fell to 35.4 degrees, and the minimum on the grass to 30.3 degrees, resulting in a slight frost.

Dunedin had heavy I'ain showers yesterday morning, with sleet on the higher levels, a cold south-westerly breeze blowing all day. Some snow fell on the hills last night, and conditions this morning were still cold and changeable, with showers of rain and sleet.