Wild winter weather

[MotherBear]

Whirlwind rips up street as wild weather hits NZ
1:10PM Monday June 23, 2008
By James Ihaka and Martha McKenzie-Minifie

Whirlwind rips up street as wild weather hits NZ

A mini tornado ripped through a Papamoa street yesterday and a slip closed part of State Highway 1 north of Auckland as heavy rain and wild weather lashed much of the country.

No reprieve from the bad weather is predicted over the next few days.

The MetService last night had severe weather warnings for strong winds and thunderstorms in areas across the country - suggesting winter has finally arrived.

Overnight Tuesday, the biggest snowfall of the year is forecast for the central plateau, as a cold snap grips the North Island.

Strong westerly winds were predicted to follow in Auckland on Wednesday bringing "unpleasant, showery, windy weather".

"It's not going to be a very good week," MetService forecaster Bob Lake told the Herald.

More here.

[MotherBear]

And now the snow.

Desert Road reopens, motorists told to take care (+photos)
2:23PM Wednesday June 25, 2008
By Imogen Neale


The Desert Road in Waiouru this morning. Photo / Steve Pitts

MetService has lifted its snow warnings and the Desert Road has reopened but icy weather continues to affect the country, with road warnings and school closures in place.

For much of today, snowfalls meant motorists travelling the length of the North Island could only travel one route through the Central Plateau, but all highways in the region have now reopened.

MetService lifted snow warnings for the area this morning.

Ruapehu College's acting principal John Laurenson said his school had been forced to shut as school buses hadn't been able to get through.

"Two-thirds of our kids bus to school," he said. "At least half of those couldn't get here today."

More here.

[MotherBear]

Almost 7500 lightning strikes hit West Coast
Updated 1:11PM Wednesday July 02, 2008

The West Coast has been peppered by almost 7500 lightning strikes, with 1100 in the hour before midday alone.

Weather Watch reporter Katrina Lowe said the storm cut power in Greymouth for a short time.

"We had flashes every 30 seconds and the thunder was just rumbling and rumbling," Ms Lowe said.

Weather analyst Philip Duncan said the thunderstorms were now heading north towards Taranaki.

"The next band of big thunderstorms is heading in to Taranaki this afternoon, with all western regions south of Auckland exposed to dangerous lightning strikes," Mr Duncan said.

More here.

[Meadow]

Its big scary lighting and thunder here just now
The lightning has been going for ages,but the thunder has just started,and its noisy.
Supposed to be more storms ahead,hope its ok for wednesday for Nicoles boyfriend travelling back

[Dawn]

It's just a bit of rain though eh? These reports make it sound like biblical proportions. We get a bit of weather now and again, I can still count many many more bad occasions in UK - like every other week for example.

Honestly, just proves there is vair vair little to report in NZ

[MotherBear]

It's snowing - in the Waikato!
11:45AM Saturday July 05, 2008



Snow is falling as far north as the Kaimai Ranges in the Waikato as a bitterly cold wintry blast hits the country. Eyewitness reports from Te Aroha confirm snow has fallen to about 800 metres on Mt Te Aroha in the eastern Waikato.

Just a hundred kilometres north and snow clouds can be seen around Auckland city. "They tend to have a bronze tinge to them" says TRN's chief weather analyst Philip Duncan.

"If Sky Tower was 3 times its height it would be snowing on the top". Duncan says the freezing level will lower to around 1000 metres over Auckland today.

Hail showers lashed the city this morning and a cold sou'wester is blowing.

Sleet has been reported in New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Wellington.

Snow is now falling in Queenstown, Dunedin, Ashburton and just recently started in Christchurch.

More here.

[Dawn]

Well God forbid. A bit of snow in the middle of winter! Who'd have thought that? The thing is, I'm sat right in the middle of the Waikato at 9.30 am on my porch having a cup of tea and chatting to WG on the phone in my cotton (not flanelette) PJ's. The sun is shining in a clear sky and it feels about 18 degrees. Terrible, terrible winter weather

[nickydwuk]

Originally Posted by Dawn

Well God forbid. A bit of snow in the middle of winter! Who'd have thought that?

And I bet the country doesn't come to a standstill either Roll on our first winter in NZ when my boys can make proper snowmen and have really good snowball fights

[Meadow]

Hi Nicky
Just read in news that a couple roads have been closed,suppose if you use them for work etc,could be a nuisance.
We were at the dreaded pak n save on saturday(hate the place cos its so busy,but it is the cheapest)
Anyway snow was chucking down.time we were finished place was white.
By time we got home,15mins later ,it had started turning to slush
Kids were gutted.
I thought maybe because we are so near the beach,but asked friend further inland in Chch,and it had turned to slush also.
Good news for you though,hun I think Rangoria district gets it good,your heading for Oxford arent you?Well i think thats near Rangoria,so you might get the good playful stuff there.
We are really near the Port hills and they have some snow on them,but im too scared to go up hills in car
Still its early days,so hopefully my wee garden will catch a good dump
Still feels strange though snow in july.
July we are normally away camping holidays
Though the way summers were in Glasgow,i was still wearing flanellette pjs then in the tent.
Dawn this island must be colder,ive got flanell pjs and furry slipper boots Nicole nearly pissed hersel when she saw them,but i bet she will be gagging for a pair soon

[MotherBear]

Severe frosts forecast across NZ
Page 1 of 2 .......Updated 1:19PM Monday July 07, 2008
By James Ihaka, David Eames and NZPA

After a week of serious snowfalls across the country, clearing skies will mean some of the toughest frosts of the winter so far, MetService warned today.

Spokesman Bob McDavitt said a slow-moving anticyclone was nudging in, bringing with it clear nights and light winds.

"The scene is being set for several nights in a row with severe frosts and roads with black ice", he said.

"It'll be great for skiing but hazardous for driving."

Some inland valleys were still shaded from the low winter sun and air that had been chilled by recent snowfalls would be trapped until the northerly winds returned on Thursday, Mr McDavitt said.

More here.