Media: Late June storms 2008

[Grant]

For discussion on the potential storm over New Zealand during the weekend of 21 and 22 June, please see Heavy Rain and snow for late June

This thread is for media reports only please

[Grant]

A bitterly cold blast is expected to sweep through the country and a dusting of snow may reach as far north as the Coromandel Ranges.
TRN's Weather Watch Centre is expecting a big southern storm to hit the country during the weekend and last through until the middle of next week.
Head weather analyst Phillip Duncan says snow is forecast for Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown, Cromwell and Timaru. Light snow could fall on the high peaks of the Kaimai and possibly the Coromandel Ranges on Wednesday. Heavy rain is likely to fall in the South Island on Sunday and should help to boost hydro lake levels.
Mr Duncan says if a predicted high lingers for longer than expected, it will soften the impact of the southerly.

- NEWSTALK ZB

Storm to hit over weekend - 20 Jun 2008 - Weather News - NZ Herald

[Grant]

Make the most of the settled weather because it's about to turn nasty.

A large Antarctic depression is roaring away in the Southern Ocean and is set to pounce on New Zealand around Sunday. It's a two prong attack with firstly another area of low pressure forming in the Tasman Sea which will dump some decent rainfall across the Southern Alps and north facing regions of the North Island.

This is very good news for the hydro lakes and could have a significant impact on them. The second part to this system is a particularly cold south westerly kicking in on Monday in the far south.

At the time I wrote this story (Friday morning) the system was looking set to dump snow across Southland, Otago, Canterbury and Central Plateau. Some predictions I've seen show snow falling over Christchurch.

By Tuesday roads through the central South Island may well be closed, and by Wednesday it's the North Island's turn. The Rimutaka Ranges, the Napier Taupo highway and all roads around Mt Ruapehu are in the firing line for snow.

Antarctic depression ready to pounce - 20 Jun 2008 - Weather Watch - NZ Herald Blog

[Grant]

The country is set to be assaulted by six cold fronts over the next few days, bringing rain to the north and snow to the south.

Radio Network head weather analyst Philip Duncan said the first of them was crossing today, with wet weather for northern parts of the North Island.

He said another front would hit the South Island tomorrow, with the possibility of snow in Southland, Otago and Canterbury.

Philip Duncan said it was too early to predict snow in Christchurch, but he was confident the Port Hills would get a light dusting.


First of six expected cold fronts hits North Island - 22 Jun 2008 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news

[Grant]

A polar blast is forecast to bring a dumping of snow on the south of the South Island overnight and in parts of the North Island tomorrow.

MetService is warning of between 15 and 20cm of snow about the Takatimu, Hokonui and Catlins hill country in Southland.

"The combination of snow and strong winds is expected to produce large drifts and blizzard conditions in some exposed areas, with wind chill temperatures of below -5C," MetService says.

Snow showers are also expected to near sea level in Southland and Otago.
The front is expected to cross the North Island about the middle of tomorrow bringing heavy snow falls to the central North Island possibly affecting the Desert Road.

Blizzard-like conditions on the way - 23 Jun 2008 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news

[Grant]

Snow, thundery rain and gale force winds are making winter a reality as two fronts move across the country.

The main front is working its way up the South Island, bringing snow to Southland, Fiordland and Otago.

Southern motorists have been advised to drive to the conditions. The AA website reported that SH93 between Clinton and Mataura had been closed due to snow.

It told motorists to take extreme care on SH8 between Alexandra and Roxburgh due to snow and ice.

The front is expected to lie over Wellington by noon.

"Hail, thunderstorms, small tornadoes and gusts to gale force will move up the nation's west coast, with the worst this afternoon" said Radio Network weather analyst Philip Duncan.

"On Wednesday gales are expected across many regions with another cold front coming through in the afternoon affecting the entire country, mostly the west coast regions" Duncan said.

Further north, a band of rain is moving across Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo and Central Plateau.

Snow, gales and thundery rain sweep country - 24 Jun 2008 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news

[Grant]

Temperatures have plummeted in the North Island and high winds hit the South Island as skies finally started to clear this afternoon.

The Radio Network's head weather analyst, Philip Duncan, said: "Auckland is now seeing gusts to 120km/h, while in New Plymouth winds are gusting to 100km/h".

Mr Duncan said the bulk of the rain squalls are now moving in to the Taranaki and Wanganui regions with thunder, hail and a moderate risk of small isolated tornadoes.

Driving is expected to be hazardous with hail storms across most western and southern regions.

Auckland hit by freezing hail storm as wintry weather grips nation (+photos) - 24 Jun 2008 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news

[Grant]

In Christchurch a lightning strike caused a power cut at a railway crossing in Linwood, causing the barrier arms to drop across the road, disrupting traffic.

Police said all trains were stopped while the problem was fixed at Ensors Rd in Linwood.

The storm also brought down a number of trees in the Darfield-Rolleston area.

Workers with an excavator have been sent to clear it up.

The cold front arrived in Christchurch at about 11am, bringing hail and snow to some parts of the city.

There was snow down to sea level in Invercargill, and in Queenstown the snow arrived but was struggling to settle on the ground.

Cardrona skifield reported 15cm of snow overnight and Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt have all have fresh snow. Coronet Peak is to reopen to skiers and snowboarders tomorrow.

The MetService was forecasting the skies to clear in much of the South Island later this afternoon.

Snow was reported on SH7 and SH7A between Springs Junction and Hanmer and between Arthurs Pass and Otira.

New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz

[Grant]

Tornadoes could hit the North Island today as gale-force winds and heavy rain sweeps the country.

NZ Weather has issued a tornado watch for the 25th June at Tornado Watch 25 June 2008

Chilly southerly winds laced snow, sleet, hail and rain across the bulk of the South Island yesterday causing slips, closing roads and shutting schools.

Most of the rain squalls moved up into the Taranaki and Wanganui regions last night bringing thunder, hail and a moderate risk of small isolated tornadoes, Radio Network's head weather analyst Philip Duncan said.

Another aggressive front, attacking most North Island regions and western parts of the South Island, will spread up the country this afternoon and evening with hail, gale-force winds and small, but potentially destructive, tornadoes expected to hit the area.

MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said stronger gales could hit exposed places such as the Manawatu Gorge and the Tararua district and Golden Bay in Southland.

The squally westerly winds, accompanied by heavy rain, are expected to last through to the weekend.


Tornadoes are next, forecasters predict - 25 Jun 2008 - Weather News - NZ Herald

[ATO2]

Taranaki's experience of the weather, so far:
Taranaki Daily News: local, national & world news from Taranaki's daily newspaper

Wild winter storms are here and more are on their way, almost a year after devastating twisters and huge swells caused massive damage in Taranaki.

Last night the province was hit by strong winds, freezing temperatures and big swells and reports issued by the MetService yesterday warned the winds, heavy rain, sleet, hail and snow could be hanging around for the next few days.
Winds approaching gale force are expected across the North Island today and huge swells up to five metres could surge along the Taranaki coast tomorrow afternoon.
At least 5cm of snow fell on Mt Taranaki yesterday while Christchurch slowed to a slushy pace because of heavy hail storms.