UNUSUAL STORM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19999, 26 July 1939, Page 4

UNUSUAL STORM

SNOW ONLY IN PATCHES HEAVY IN SOME PARTS LOW LEVELS INVADED FLAKES FALL AT MURIWAI The excessively cold conditions in Gisborne yesterday afternoon were the result of one of the most unusual snowstorms experienced in the district. Snow fell in patches throughout the district, in some places invading the low-lying country almost at sea level, while other areas that are frequently white-capped in very cold weather escaped almost entirely. In some parts of the Coast the snow lay thick; ly on comparatively low country. The Herald’s Muriwai representative reports that a light fall of snow occurred there shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday. The flakes were very small, melting almost as they reached the ground. A very Cold southerly wind prevailed throughout the day. The last snowfall reemded in Muniwai Was three years ago.’ ; “v A report from the public \yorks camp at Bartletts states that snow also fell there for about an hour, anffTor a time was accompanied by hail. The snowflakes were large, but the fall was intermittent, and was at no ‘ time sufficiently sustained to provide a white covering. Up in the hills, however, it lay to a depth of 2in. to 3in. Little to the West Further to the west, little snow is reported. The conditions at Tiniroto were similar to those ruling at Bartletts, and while snow actually fell it did not lie on the ground. . This morning there was none showing on the surrounding hills. s Wharekopae received only a light dusting of snow yesterday afternoon and tills morning, and the hills had only a light white covering to-day. To the north, however, the snowfall was mpeh heavier. A report from Te Karaka states that the snow is thick in some sections of the hill country in the Whatatutu and Matawai districts, and is fairly low down on the hills. East Coast Suffers The East Coast districts appear to have suffered more than any other, and same comparatively low country is thickly mantled' in white. Ail the low-lying hills in the vicinity of Tokonxaru Bay and Te, Pula were white this morning, and passengers by the East Coast Motor Service Company’s early car from Ruatoria were treated to an unusual sight. Mr. A. B. Williams’ Puketiti station was covered in a thick white blanket this morning, and those who have had long experience with the district state that they have never known the snowfall to have been so heavy there before. Snow fell at Te Puia yesterday afternoon, but it did not stay on the ground. All the low hills around Ruatoria were thickly covered, and there was a. particularly heavy coating along the back road to Ihungia station. The mountains, of course, were white right down to the lower levels. La9t night was intensely cold in all parts of the Coast.

WAIROA’S COLDEST DAY SNOW AND HAIL IN TOWN (Special to tho Herald.) WAIROA, .this day. Yesterday Wairoa experienced its coldest day for 15 years. Both hail and snow were experienced throughout the district and even in the town. Snow lay on comparatively low levels throughout the district, and fell at Frasertown in the morning and ; in the town of Wairoa itself at about "3.30 p.m., but did not lie on the ground. • Hailstones measuring Jin. in circumference descended in a brief storm at about 1.30 p.m.