THE WEATHER.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1918, Page 1

THE WEATHER.

A HEAVY SNOWFALL

The weather on Frida}' night and Saturday was very cold. There was I a heavy frost on Friday night locally | which changed to rain early on Saturday and the day was bitterly cold, Iri the hills there was a heavy snow storm on Saturday morning, snow falling on the Ivokatahi flat, at Humphreys and many other places in the country. The hills all lound were well covered and the day was extremely cold. In the Grey Valley and on the Otira line there was a substantial fall, and on the overland coach route snow was falling during most of the day. The coaches managed to make the connection in spite of the snowfall though they were an hour late in reaching Otira on the return journey from Arthurs Pass. All along the line the snow covered the ground with a white mantle.

The weather cleared towards evening and yesterday was a bright sunny day, with a good freeze at night.

CANTERBTTRY WEATHER

A. mantle of snow upon the ground met the eyes of Christchurch residents upon arising from their beds on Friday morning says the “Press.” At 7.30 the previous evening a heavy sou’-west gale sprang up and blew with violence throughout the night, though it brought with it very little rain. The air was bitterly cold, and at 5.30 a.m snow began to fall The fall, was not a very heary one, and though thei’e were further showers of snow during the day, sleet, hail, and raiu predominated, and the. white carpet quickly degenerated into slush. The gale continued until the _ evening, when it gradually abated, and shortly after nightfall the atmosphere was comparatively warm, the clouds drifted away, and the moon and stars revealed themselves. Reports from the country districts indicate that whilst there was a slight fall of snow in. some, most, of them, .especially, the back-country, escaped the visitation, though heavy.showers of rain fell in various parts. Very little damage should therefore be expected. The Port, hills were under a carpet of snow, which, in the vicinity* of .Lyttelton, vyas reported-to be a foot in depth. -They presented a beautiful appearance. At one moment in morning they would be blotted out from view, and then the screen would lift, and a flash ot sunshine light, up r» picture of alpine splendour. There was an angry sea off the coast, and the Mararoa coming down in the teeth of the gale from Wellington had a very long and frying trip. The storm had very little effect upon the city’s vital services. Whilst their elder's shivered, the juvenile community hailed conditions outdoors .vith gladness, and there were some strenuous snow-fights. At a very early hour on Friday snow on some of the insulators affected the transmission of the electric power irom Lake Coleridge to the city, but the faults were repaired before daybreak, and thereafter the service was satisfactory*. At about 9 a.m the gale blew down a tin store on the Lyttelton hills, and carried it for half a mile. In its flight it brought down two of the transmission lines. As a result the Port was minus electric power until 7 o’clock that evening, when the break was'repaired

ANOTHER FALL OF SNOW

Christchurch, July 21

Christchurch and surrounding districts this afternoon were lying under a mantle of snow, about four inches deep, in the open. As far as is known similar conditions prevail throughout Canterbury, although no information is obtainable yet from the country districts. A heavy westerly gale blew last night, accompanied by very heavy rain. Snow commenced to fall early this morning and continued steadily until midday. At times it was accompanied with a very strong.southwest gale oi ' Antarctic keenness. The train service is disorganised and all forms of locomotion is very difficult. The ferry steamer Mararoa reached Lyttelton just before 9 o’clock this morning, after a very boisterous trip of iS hours from Wellington. At 5 o’clock further snow is threatening.

SNOW FALL IN WELLINGTON

Wellington, July ir

There were several light snowfalls to-day. This is a very rare occurrence for Wellington. Though the snow soon melted on the lower levels, the hills surrounding the city showed white this afternoon. The Rev Bates, speaking at 5 p.m, said that though the snow was not over yet, the prospects are that the storm will clear within 36 hours. Telegraphic communication with Christchurch was lost this morning, but in the afternoon one direct wire was working there, and one west to Greymouth.