Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 1 Meteorological Society Of New Zealand (Inc.) ISSN 0111-1736 NEWSLETTER 134 SEPTEMBER 2013
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 2 Meteorological Society Of New Zealand (Inc.) NEWSLETTER 134 SEPTEMBER 2013 PO Box 6523, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, New Zealand Please forward contributions to Bob McDavitt, bobmcdavitt@hotmail.com CONTENTS Page President s foreword 3 Conferences 4-5 Meetings around the Regions 5-6 UV Conference 6-7 Winter 2013 (NIWA + Ben Tichborne) 8-19 Winter 2013 pick of the clips 20-55 Your Committee until AGM President Sam Dean Immediate Past President Andrew Tait Auckland VP Jennifer Salmond Wellington VP James Renwick Christchurch VP Simon Parsons Dunedin VP Daniel Kingston Secretary Katrina Richards Treasurer Alan Porteous Circulation Manager Sylvia Nichol Journal Editor Brian Giles/Jennifer Salmond Newsletter Editor Bob McDavitt bobmcdavitt@hotmail.com Wed Editor James Sturman Hydro.Soc Liaison: Charles Pearson General Committee Mike Revell Gareth Renowden Duncan Ackerley Kim Dirks Views and endorsements expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors and advertisers, and not necessarily those of the Meteorological Society of New Zealand. The mention of specific companies or products does not imply that they
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 3 Foreword from our President Dear Members, We will soon be hosting our annual conference in November, this year in Palmerston North and held in partnership with the Hydrological Society. This conference represents a great opportunity to get to hear about the work of the countries meteorological and climate scientists. In particular I am looking forward to the talks by those scientists who led and made signi%icant contributions to the recently released report "Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis" the contribution of Working Group 1 to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This report concluded that is " extremely likely that more than half of the observed increase in global average surface temperature from 1951 to 2010 was caused by the anthropogenic increase in greenhouse gas concentrations and other anthropogenic forcings together. The best estimate of the human-induced contribution to warming is similar to the observed warming over this period." The New Zealand contributors to this report all play a signi%icant role in our own Meteorological Society. I also know that the hard work of the scientists involved has helped to create a document that will for many years to come inform us all about the consequences of our actions in emitting greenhouse gases into our shared global atmosphere. Here in New Zealand the weather this year has been as interesting as ever, with some of the biggest storms, the warmest winter, and one of the driest summers. Hopefully there will also be some active discussion of these events at the conference. I look forward to catching up with many of you at the meeting and sharing the committee's experiences with you at the AGM. Best wishes Sam Dean President of the Meteorological Society of New Zealand 2013.
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Of%icial notice to members for AGM 2013 You are invited to attend our 34th Annual General Meeting This is planned for around 5:30pm at the end of the second day of our Annual Conference at Seminar Room, Convention Centre, The Square, Palmerston North. on Wednesday20 Nov 2013. All %inancial members are allowed to attend and vote. Apologies may be emailed to bobmcdavitt@hotmail.com Items of business may be emailed to sam.dean@niwa.co.nz Agenda 1. Attendance 2. Apologies 3. Con%irmation of minutes of previous AGM 4. Matters Arising: 5. President s Report 6. Treasurer s Report 7. Appointment of Auditor 8. Subscription Rate 9. Election of Of%icers 10. Other Matters Around the Regions: Members were invited to the following seminars movies and talks -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Wellington: 29 May "Observations of Supercooled Liquid Water over the Southern Ocean" by Dr Steve Siems of Monash University 13 June: Bill McKibben, well-known environmental author and activist and founder of 350.org, spoke in Wellington as part of a nationwide tour. 1 August: The market for electric vehicles in New Zealand: using stated choice methods to evaluate the implications for electricity demand and carbon emissions to 2030 by Doug Clover, Environmental Studies, VUW SGEES 15 August : Climatological Research on Tropical Cyclones in the Southwest Paci%ic Ocean Basin by Howard Diamond, NOAA and Auckland University 5 September : Climate confusion: why the international climate change negotiations have unravelled, and what, if anything, can be done about it? by Professor Stephen Howes, Australian
National University Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 6 13th Sep : The glaciation of the Antarctic Peninsula: a journey through time by Prof Nancy Bertler, Antarctic Research Centre, VUW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Dunedin 12 June: Bill McKibben, Do the Maths well-known environmental author and activist and founder of 350.org, spoke in Dunedin as part of a nationwide tour. 24 July: Conversations on Climate Change Climate chabge, seromobility and addiction? Behavioural (non-) responses to the %lyers deliemma by Professor James Higham. A discussion on climatic concerns of tourism, looking at discretionary air travel. Are we too addicted to %lying? 31st July : Lost in the Clouds: Atmospheric controls on Brewster Glacier mass balance 21 Aug : Conversations on Climate Change Why Should We Think About Climate Change in Dunedin? by Jono Conway, PhD Candidate, Department of Geography, University of Otago, and hosted by the Otago Climate Change Network ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UV Radiation: Effects on Human Health and the Environment (2014) This is the third announcement regarding the upcoming UV Workshop, to be held at the Heritage Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand 15-17 April 2014. See https://www.niwa.co.nz/atmosphere/uv-ozone/uv-science-workshops/2014-uvworkshop for further details. On behalf of the organising committee, I invite you to now visit the above site to REGISTER. If you plan to SUBMIT A PAPER for presentation, please submit the title and, if possible, a short abstract on your registration form, to help us decide whether it should be an oral or poster presentation. The will be a maximum of one oral paper per registrant, and only papers that have relevance to Australia/New Zealand and the South Paci%ic region, including Antarctica, will be accepted for oral presentation. The CLOSING DATE for submission of papers is 15 December. Please note that there will be time for a maximum of about 36 oral presentations, and that early contributions will have a greater chance of acceptance. Authors of all papers that are accepted for presentation at the Workshop (oral or poster) will be expected to submit a 2-page extended abstract of their presentation (including %igures and references). These should be made available to the organising committee on arrival at the Workshop. Following the Workshop, pdfs of these extended abstracts will be collated and posted on the NIWA website in a similar fashion to those from previous workshops (see https://www.niwa.co.nz/our-services/online-services/uv-and-ozone/workshops/papers/ papersindex). The formatting style will be the same as in previous workshops, as shown in the attached example. We look forward to receiving your registration soon, and seeing you in Auckland next April. Richard McKenzie, Convenor (and co-convenors Barbara Hegan, Robert Scragg, Peter Gies, Robyn Lucas, and Michael Kimlin)
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Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 8 Met Society Photo Competition 2013 There are 16 entries this year and VOTING is allowed during the month of October (this involves liking our Facebook page). You only get ONE vote each, but you may share your voting amongst your Facebook friends and anyone is allowed to vote. VOTE NOW AT http://bit.ly/12ac9q8 THE PRIZES FIRST "Home in the Howling Wilderness" (reviewed in our next Journal) SECOND "The NZ Weather Book" THIRD "MetService Weather Calendar 2014" WINNERS are to be announced at the Met Society Conference and on our web sites in Nov 2013 and also in our newsletter in Dec 2013. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Winter 2013 Warmest winter on record for New Zealand. Temperature A very warm winter for most of the country, with record-high mean temperatures for winter occurring throughout the South Island. Mean temperatures well above average (more than 1.2 C above the winter average) throughout Southland, Otago (except South Otago), inland Canterbury, coastal Canterbury north of Ashburton, and isolated parts of the lower half of the North Island. The nation-wide mean temperature was 1.2 C above the winter average, based on NIWA s seven-station temperature series, making this the warmest winter on record since 1909. Rainfall A wet winter overall for parts of Central Otago, the east coast of the South Island from Dunedin to Christchurch, and southeastern parts of Marlborough and Hawke s Bay. Rainfall was well above normal (more than 150 percent of normal winter rainfall) for areas of eastern and Central Otago. In contrast, below normal rainfall (less than 80 percent of normal winter rainfall) occurred in parts of Manawatu, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Waikato. Soil Moisture As at 1 September 2013, most soils throughout New Zealand were at normal soil moisture levels for the time of year. In isolated parts of Central Otago, coastal North Otago and about Kaikoura, soils were wetter than normal for the time of year. Sunshine Winter sunshine hours were above normal (110-125 percent of winter normal) for parts of western Southland, Queenstown Lakes, southern Westland, southeastern Hawke s Bay and Gisborne. Sunshine was below normal (75-90 percent of winter normal) in parts of eastern Otago including Dunedin and Oamaru, Nelson, Marlborough, and along the southwestern coast of the North Island from Wellington to Taranaki. Overview Early winter 2013 was characterized by lower pressures than normal across New Zealand and to the north and northeast of the country, with persistent high pressure centres south and southeast of Tasmania. This resulted in an anomalous east-southeasterly %low over the South Island, which contributed to well above normal rainfall totals recorded throughout areas to
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 9 the east of the Southern Alps. Of particular note was the storm of 19-21 June, which brought the strongest sustained 10-minute winds that Wellington airport has seen since 1985. In addition, cold south-southeasterly winds associated with the storm resulted in a signi%icant snowfall event across the South Island. Mid-late winter was characterised by much higher than normal pressures to the east and south-east of the country, and lower than normal pressures to the north, west and south of New Zealand. This resulted in more northerly and northeasterly air%low than usual across the country. This pressure pattern caused largely settled conditions over New Zealand for much of July and August, resulting in high mean temperatures for the time of year in many locations, but particularly throughout the South Island. It was a very warm winter for most of the country, with mean temperatures well above average (more than 1.2 C above the winter average) throughout Southland, Otago (except South Otago), inland Canterbury, coastal Canterbury north of Ashburton, and isolated parts of the lower half of the North Island. Numerous locations across New Zealand (but especially across the South Island) recorded their highest mean temperature for winter on record. Near average mean temperatures (within 0.5 C of winter average) were recorded in areas of northern Taranaki, western Waikato, Coromandel, Auckland and Northland. Elsewhere, temperatures were above average (0.5-1.2 C above the winter average). The nation-wide average temperature in winter 2013 was 9.5 C (1.2 C above the 1971-2000 winter average, using NIWA s seven -station temperature series which begins in 1909). Based on this temperature series, winter 2013 was the warmest winter on record for New Zealand to date. Overall, it was a wet winter for parts of Central Otago, the east coast of the South Island from Dunedin to Christchurch, and southeastern parts of Marlborough and Hawke s Bay. Rainfall was above normal (more than 120 percent of normal winter rainfall) at most of these areas. The exception was areas of eastern and Central Otago, where rainfall was well above normal (more than 150 percent of normal winter rainfall). This was largely as a result of the record rainfall totals that were recorded in June at these locations. In contrast, below normal rainfall (less than 80 percent of normal winter rainfall) occurred in parts of Manawatu, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Waikato. Near normal rainfall was recorded elsewhere (between 80 and 120 percent of normal winter rainfall). As at 1 September 2013, most soils throughout New Zealand were at normal soil moisture levels for the time of year. In isolated parts of Central Otago, coastal North Otago and about Kaikoura, soils were wetter than normal for the time of year. Sunshine hours for winter were well above normal (more than 125 percent of winter normal) about northern Fiordland, and above normal (110-125 percent of winter normal) for parts of western Southland, Queenstown Lakes, southern Westland, southeastern Hawke s Bay and Gisborne. Sunshine was below normal (75-90 percent of winter normal) in parts of eastern Otago including Dunedin and Oamaru, Nelson, Marlborough, and along the southwestern coast of the North Island from Wellington to Taranaki. Near normal sunshine hours were experienced in remaining areas of the country (sunshine hours within 10 percent of winter normal). Further Highlights: The highest temperature was 22.1 C, recorded at Winchmore on 2 June and at Kaitaia on 13 August. The lowest temperature was -12.1 C, observed at Lake Tekapo on 28 June. The highest 1-day rainfall was 187 mm, recorded at Pigeon Creek, Tasman on 3 June. The highest wind gust was 202 km/hr, at Mt Kaukau, Wellington, on 20 June. Of the six main centres in winter 2013, Wellington was the wettest, Dunedin was the driest, Auckland was the warmest, Christchurch was the coolest, Tauranga was the sunniest and Hamilton was the cloudiest.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 10 NOTABLE WEATHER IN NZ - WINTER 2013 The real 'winter' weather this year occurred early in the season, including a major stormy spell of mid-june. By contrast, the latter half of winter was decidedly spring-like, especially during the record warm August. JUNE 1st - Heavy rain on South Island West Coast, and later in Southland. (27mm in Lumsden - a new June record). Unusually warm in Otago and Southland, with a 20C maximum in Dunedin and 16-17C in several other stations. 17C is a new June record 2nd - Heavy rain in Fiordland and about Southern Lakes, Central Otago, and Southland. June records are broken in Ranfurly (33mm) and Alexandra. (49mm) Queenstown and Tara Hills both record 66mm, with Wanaka receiving 62mm. with %looding on some roads, especially in Southland. Northwesterly gales in inland Canterbury and Central Otago, overturning vehicles and knocking down power lines. Part of SH8 between Fairlie and Twizel brie%- ly closed by the winds. New June record gusts of 106 km/hr and 78 km/hr recorded at Tara Hills and Wanaka respectively. Warm 22C maximums in Kaikoura and Motueka, 20C in Cheviot, and 18C at Tekapo. Unseasonable high minimums also in many places, with new June records broken in Paraparaumu (14C), Greymouth (13C), Culverden (15C, and Hanmer. (13C) 3rd - Flooding in Southland continues as a result of recent rain, closing some roads. More heavy rain on South Island West Coast and also northwest Nelson (187mm recorded at Pigeon Creek), with %looding on SH6 between Harihari and Makarora. 4th - Heavy rain in some parts of northern and central NZ, including downpours in Auckland. Flash %looding affects several suburbs, with damage to properties. Southerly gales about central NZ; power cuts in Tawa and Titahi Bay due to fallen trees damaging power lines, and some %lights cancelled at Wellington Airport. Gales also lashed Taranaki (100 km/hr in Hawera) and Buller/Westland. 109 km/hr gust recorded in Westport - a new June record, resulting in uprooted trees which damage properties and disrupt road travel. Cold southerly brings heavy snow to high country of Canterbury and southern Marlborough. The snow (up to 50cm deep) traps several vehicles at Burkes Pass. Several other high country roads require chains to use and are closed to towing vehicles 5th/6th - Southeasterly gales in Bay of Plenty, with some trees downed in Rotorua. 8th - Unusually warm 20C maximum at Leigh. 9th - Heavy rain in Bay of Plenty and Nelson regions. (water supplies contaminated in some areas near Nelson due to the rain) 11th - Heavy downpour causes some surface %looding in Hastings, with over%lowing drains. 12th/13th - Unseasonably warm in some North Island areas, e.g. 20C maximum in Whakatane (new June record) and 18C in Turangi on 12th. Warmth ironically occurs during a southerly %low, but the air originates from warmer latitudes coming around a low to the east of the North Island. Motu also records a record June high of 16C on 13th. 14th - Fog causes disruption at Hamilton Airport. 15th-23rd - Stormy period with heavy rain, gales and snow. (see details below) 24th and 26th - Heavy fog again causes problems for Hamilton Airport. 28th - Severe frosts in inland South Island, e.g. -12C minimum in Tekapo. JULY 1st/2nd - Northwesterly gales in exposed southern and eastern areas of South Island, with power-lines downed causing power cuts around Fairlie. High gusts include 150 km/hr at Puysegur Point, 83 km/hr at Tara Hills, 109 km/hr in Gore, and 80 km/hr at Lauder. (all on 2nd) Southwest cape, Stewart Island records 167 km/hr on 1st. (new July record) Heavy rain in Fiordland and South Westland, and later Southland and South Otago.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 11 (Combination of snow-melt and rain causes %looding in latter areas). 20C maximum at Christchurch Airport. 3rd - Heavy rain in Northland, e.g. 92mm in Kerikeri. (new July record) Flooding continues in Southland, though rain clears there. Northwesterly gales overnight in North Otago and inland Canterbury, with power cuts in places and vehicles blown over. 76 km/hr gust in Oamaru. Gales also lash Wellington region 4th - Heavy overnight rain in Northland. 5th - Heavy rain developing about and west of the Southern Alps, e.g. 145mm at Mt Cook 5th/6th - Severe northwesterly gales in parts of Canterbury and Kaikoura Coast/ Marlborough overnight and early morning 6th. About 10,000 homes lose power around Christchurch area, and downed power-lines cause scrub %ires inland. The roof is lifted off a house in Kaikoura. Thunderstorms in Fiordland. 21C maximums in Napier, Hastings, and Wairoa. 6th - Thunderstorms about and west of the Southern Alps. 7th - A small tornado damages some property and trees at Himatangi Beach, Manawatu. 7th/8th - Snow on southern South Island high country, heavy enough in Fiordland to close SH94. (reopened on 9th) Some thunder and hail in North Canterbury. Silent 'heat' lightning observed in south of North Island, due to interaction of cold trough moving onto warmer waters off Wairarapa Coast. 9th - Snow on South Island high country, with chains essential on Arthurs Pass. Greymouth only reaches 7C maximum under cold, wet airmass. 10th - Heavy snow on North Island high country, closing Desert Road by evening. Care needed on SH2 between Gisborne and Opotiki due to snow at Traffords Hill. 136mm rain and snow recorded in Ohakune. Some more snow on Canterbury high country. Thunder and hail in some northern North Island places, including hail in parts of Auckland. 11th- Heavy rain in Hawkes Bay, %looding and slips closing some roads. 60mm recorded at Waione, southern Hawkes Bay 12th - Heavy rain in lower North Island. Flooding in Manawatu and Wellington areas, closing SH56 near Palmerston North and the train line between Central Wellington and Petone. Flooded Manawatu River forces %loodgates to be opened at Moutoa Bridge. Snow reported in some inland parts of North Canterbury, e.g. Hanmer. By contrast, %ine and very frosty in inland and western South Island. -12C minimum at Mt Cook; -4C in Hokitika. Only 2C maximum in Reefton, as cloud cover follows frosty -4C minimum. 14th - Another southerly storm. (see details below) 16th - Widespread frosts in wake in departed southerly. New record July low maximum of 8C in Tauranga. 17th - Much warmer west to northwest %low replaces cold air over NZ. 19C maximum in Oamaru, plus 16C at Tara Hills (new July record) and Gore. Extensive areas of fog in northern and central North Island. 18th - Unusually warm 19C maximum in Takaka. 19th - Unseasonably high 16C maximum in Reefton. 20th - Leigh breaks new July record with a 20C maximum. 21st - Southwest Cape (Stewart Island) records its highest July minimum (11C) thanks to cloud cover in a northerly %low. Same air%low results in Tiwai Point's highest recorded July maximum of 16C. 22nd - Unseasonably warm in many parts of South Island. 19C maximums in Waiau and Cheviot, 17C in Alexandra, and 15C in Ranfurly and Southwest Cape. This comes after an unusually mild night, with new August record high minimums recorded in Wanaka (9C) and Puysegur Point. (13C) Persistent fog in Auckland and Hamilton causes problems at both cities airports. 23rd - Some more fog areas in north of North Island. Record July maximum of 17C at Motu. 25th - Snow showers above about 500m in south of South Island in a southwesterly %low. Chains needed on SH94 to Milford Sound. Even further south, the cold southwesterly
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 12 brings a new July record low maximum of -1C at sub Antarctic Campbell Island. 30th - Fog again causes problems at Hamilton and Auckland airports. 31st - Fog in Christchurch disrupts its airport operations. AUGUST 2nd - 18C maximums in Westport and Hokianga. Some heavy rain in Northland. Easterly gales in some northern North Island areas, with 85 km/hr gust recorded in Paeroa. 3rd - Unseasonably warm in western areas, e.g. 20C maximum at Port Taharoa (new August record), 19C in Westport (equal to August record)and New Plymouth, and 17C in Stratford. 4th - Record August high of 20C recorded at Leigh. 5th - Unseasonably warm spell continues, e.g. 20C maximum in Kerikeri, and 18C maximums in Whangarei, Whakatane, and Whanganui. Morning fog in Christchurch disrupts %lights at airport. 6th - 20C maximums in Whangarei and Hastings. 7th - Northwesterly gales about South Island high country and Wairarapa. 21C maximum in Whangarei. Waterspout just off coast near New Plymouth. 8th - 22C maximum in Hastings. Unusually warm overnight in lower North Island, with new high August minimum (13C) recorded in New Plymouth. 155mm recorded at North Egmont. 10th - Record August warmth in Nelson region with records broken in Motueka, Appleby (both 20C), and Nelson. (18C) 10th/11th - Heavy rain causes %looding and slips in Gisborne region, closing some roads. Heavy rain also in central North Island on 11th, with record August total of 152mm recorded in Ohakune. 13th - Record August high 22C maximum in Kaitaia. 13th-15th - Gales in central NZ and lower/central North Island, with gusts of 102 km/hr in Westport (14th) and 62 km/hr in Turangi. (15th) A pine tree falls on a house in New Plymouth. (13th) 14th - Chains required due to snow on SH94 to Milford Sound. 17th - Heavy rain in Marlborough, causes disruption to areas affected by signi%icant earthquake the day before. (slips closing several roads) Some thunderstorms in Wairarapa and the north of the North Island, with associated hailstorms near Pongaroa, and northeast of Rotorua. (latter hailstorm makes driving hazardous on SH30) Foehn easterly %low results in an unseasonably warm day on South Island West Coast, e.g. a 19C maximum at Secretary Island and 18C in Reefton. (latter being a new record August high) 18th - Warm 20C maximum in Kawerau. 18th/19th - Heavy rain in Hawkes Bay, with a large slip blocking one lane of the Napier-Taupo highway on the 19th. 19th - Unseasonably warm 19C maximum in Invercargill; 18C in Hokitika, Greymouth, and Whanganui. 22nd - Thunderstorms in Bay of Plenty. Heavy falls of rain cause slips on Kaimai range and Coromandel Peninsula. 23rd - Heavy fog in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, disrupting Hamilton, Rotorua, and Whakatane airports. Northwesterly gales in some inland Canterbury areas for a time. (85 km/hr gust in Winchmore) 25th - Thunderstorms with downpours cause localized %looding in Auckland during the early hours. Lightning strikes a house in Helensville 26th - Heavy fog in Auckland and Waikato disrupts %lights at Auckland and Hamilton airports. 28th - Northwesterly gales in far south, e.g. 154 km/hr gust at Southwest Cape, Stewart Island. 28th-29th - Cold southerly (%irst since mid-july) spreads over lower South Island late on 28th and rest of NZ by end of next day. Snow to as low as about 200m in some inland areas of Otago and Canterbury and chains required on several high country highways. Snow also on hills above Nelson, but only light snow showers in central North Island. Strong winds dam-
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 13 age scaffolding in central Auckland, forcing closure of Queen Street for a time. 29th-31st - Frosty conditions in many areas in wake of southerly outbreak, in sharp contrast to unusually mild conditions during most of the month. -8C minimum recorded at Lake Tekapo on 29th. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- MAJOR EVENTS 15th-23rd June- Stormy period with heavy rain, gales and snow This period of stormy weather was comprised of two separate weather events, but both were the result of one large low pressure system which slowly moved from the Tasman Sea to the east of NZ during this period. Initially there was heavy %lood causing rain in several areas, but even more severe weather followed from the 19th when a southerly storm brought heavy falls of rain and snow, plus severe gales to many areas. The worst effects of the storm were very heavy snow in inland South Island areas and severe southerly gales about Wellington. A large depression had already developed over NSW, and moved into the Tasman Sea from the 13th. During the 14th, the system extended to cover most of NZ and the Tasman Sea. It began to impact of NZ weather from the 15th, with a northerly %low increasing over the country and rain developing on the South Island West Coast. The low moved only slowly eastwards during the 16th, due to high pressure to the south and east. Rain was now heavy in northern and central NZ, as front brought very moist air from the north. Torrential falls affected many parts of Nelson and Marlborough, with widespread %looding and slips. A large slip near Tapawera stranded motorists and isolated residents, while another slip near Kaiteriteri destroyed a house, killing a woman inside. The highest of%icially recorded rainfall total was 141mm in Motueka, but there were unof%icial estimates of 200-300mm in the western Nelson ranges. Heavy rain also affected many eastern areas of the South Island on the 16th/17th, as the %low there was onshore east to northeast. Slips and %looding occurred here too. Water supplies were disrupted in and near Akaroa, and there was surface %looding in Christchurch and Kaiapoi. (where Christchurch Airport recorded 56mm) Many roads in Otago were closed due to %looding, including several sections of SH1 between Dunedin and Oamaru. The bridge over the Ashley River near Rangiora was closed due to the threat from the river. Cold undercutting air brought snow to the inland high country, with chains needed on some roads, especially SH80 from Pukaki to Mt Cook. Conditions remained unsettled in many areas on the 18th as the Tasman centre moved only slowly towards the South Island, while the eastern low moved southwards. A thunderstorm downpour in Hamilton caused %looding in the city, with high winds during the storm also causing some damage. The whole system gradually moved to the southeast on the 19th, but left an unstable trough over most of NZ. (A tornado was reported at Ohaupo, near Hamilton) Meanwhile very cold air from high latitudes, which had already begun to push into the Tasman from later on the 18th, started to affect the lower South Island with snow to low levels by evening there. The complex trough persisted over the North Island during the 20th, with lows forming to the southeast of Cook Strait and a smaller one developing later to the west of Taranaki. A very strong and very cold south to southeast %low covered most of the South Island, with snow to low levels in the east. About the coast, precipitation was mostly rain and sleet, but heavy snow
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 14 accumulated in higher areas inland. Most high country roads were closed, as well as schools. Power was cut to several places, including Midddlemarch and Fairlie. Flooding was again widespread in coastal areas, especially in the Lake Ellesmere/Leeston area where thousands of hectares of farmland were %looded and some homes having to be evacuated. Slips caused problems in Dunedin and Lyttelton. In the North Island, conditions were unsettled as well, with thunderstorms lashing some areas exposed to the north and west. Lightning strikes caused problems in West Auckland, with heavy rain and hail reported in parts of Auckland. (hail accumulations made several roads treacherous) Colder air moved onto the island during the day with snow showers developing about the central high country, closing the Desert Road by evening. Chilly 11C maximums were recorded in several Northland stations. Late in the day, as the weather system moved a little to the east, the %low turned southerly about Cook Strait with an intense gradient. This resulted in severe gale to hurricane force winds. The Wellington region was badly affected by these winds, which were accompanied by heavy, driving rain and much damage ensued. Surface %looding was widespread, but it was the hurricane force winds and associated swells that caused the most damage. Some 30,000 homes lost power, many due to the numerous trees that were knocked over. The storm forced the cancellation of all %lights, trains, and ferries. Even in dock, the Interislander ferry Kaitaki was blown off its moorings. An unusually high ('king') tide compounding the damage caused by swells to roads and properties (including some houses) on coastal areas exposed to the south. New record June gusts were recorded on Mt Kaukau (202 km/hr) and Wellington Airport. (143 km/hr) On the other side of Cook Strait, Cape Campbell's 150 km/hr gust was also a June record. During the 21st, the low pressure system remained very deep and slow moving to the east of central NZ, and weakened only slowly during the 22nd. This maintained the strong, very cold air%low over NZ, south to southeast over southern and central areas and southwesterly in the north of the North Island. Gales continued to lash several exposed areas, including Cook Strait. (though much less severe than before) High gusts included 156 km/hr at Cape Reinga and 106 km/hr at Mahia. Heavy snow continued in many inland South Island areas, while a lighter coating fell in Christchurch during the morning of the 21st. Accumulations of more than 30cm occurred in places, with unof%icial depths of 60cm recorded in Tekapo, the Hakataramea Valley, and Clarks Junction. At Mt Hutt, there was 2.8 metres of snow, with drifts over 6 metres. Many roads remained closed through the inland South Island; while the highways around Mt Ruapehu were closed by snow overnight 20th/21st. The South Island West Coast was sheltered from the rain and snow, but foehn gales caused some damage. Some very low maximums were recorded on the 22nd, including 5C in Motueka and Blenheim (both new June records), 0C in Hanmer, and 3C in Cheviot. The low moved away %inally on the 23rd, allowing conditions to quickly ease over NZ, under a much lighter south to southwest %low. However, the effects of the stormy weather were to linger, with much work needed to clear storm damage about Wellington (insurance costs estimated to be $33 million) and the deep snow in the South Island, including digging out stranded livestock in the high country. Some heavy frosts were recorded (-9C in Ranfurly), with ice adding to the hazards in the snow affected areas. Mean sea-level analyses for midday NZST 14th June to midday NZST 23rd June in 12 hour steps are shown here.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 15
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 16
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 17 14th/15th July - Another southerly storm This very cold southerly outbreak was less severe than the one in June, but the winds were still strong enough to cause damage, especially about Cook Strait and Taranaki. A cold front swept up over the country, beginning in the far south in the early hours of the 14th. This brought a strong, very cold southerly change to the South Island, with hail and snow showers to low levels in the east, plus a few thunderstorms (lightning strikes cut power to some homes near Leeston) Chilly maximums included only 3C in Queenstown and 5C in Cheviot. As the change reached the North Island later in the day, a low formed on it to the east, helped by low pressure already over the island. This strengthened the air%low, resulting in severe southerly gales about Cook Strait and Taranaki. Flights in and out of Wellington and New Plymouth Airports were disrupted, and properties were damaged in New Plymouth. In Wellington, the storm compounded the damage from the June storm, even though it was less severe. Heavy swells (up to seven metres) again forced the cancellation of Interislander ferries. Lesser damage also occurred in several other central and southern North Island areas. High gusts included new June records being broken at Cape Campbell (154 km/hr), Baring Head (150 km/hr), Wanganui (107 km/hr), and Turangi. (98 km/hr) The highest record gust was 170 km/hr at Brothers Island. By the early hours of the 15th, the very cold air%low was over all NZ, with snow showers now also over the central North Island high country and hills further south. North of Wellington, SH2 was closed on the Rimutaka Hill as was the Akatarawa Road between Upper Hutt and the Kapiti Coast. The Napier-Taihape and Desert Roads were closed, and caution was needed due
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 18 to snow on SH2 between Wairoa and Gisborne and several South Island roads. (black ice widespread in Otago and Southland) The southerly %low only gradually eased during the 15th, but the weather had cleared in most places by the start of the 16th. Mean sea-level analyses for midday NZST 13th July to midday NZST 15th July in 12 hour steps are shown here.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 19 MONTHLY WEATHER NOTES FOR CHRISTCHURCH WINTER 2013 Ben Tichborne JUNE This month's weather was dominated by the stormy, wet conditions of mid-month, with two occurrences of heavy rain, plus snow to low levels on the second occasion. Rain began during the 15th, lightly at %irst, but persistent until the evening of the 17th with heavy falls overnight 16th/17th. This was caused by a large and complex low pressure system moving in from the Tasman Sea and pushing an onshore (surface southerly about Christchurch) %low onto Canterbury. The rain resulted in surface %looding in many parts of the city and also in Akaroa. There was a temporary lull in conditions with a dry day on the 18th, but as the low moved further east on the 19th, colder southerlies brought more rain. From the 20th-22nd, as low pressure persisted to the east and very cold air pushed in from high latitudes, a strong (up to gale on the 20th) and very cold southerly prevailed with heavy snow to low levels in inland Canterbury, moderate snowfalls on Banks Peninsula, but mostly rain and sleet in Christchurch. However, there was a period of snow which settled in many parts of the city during the morning of the 21st. Conditions %inally cleared during the early hours of the 23rd, with a %ine, frosty spell through to the 26th. The only other weather event of any note was a less signi%icant cold, damp southerly spell earlier on the 3rd and 4th, though this brought some heavy snow to the inland high country for a time. The month was as a whole cloudier and (not surprisingly) much wetter than normal, with near average temperatures due to more cloud keeping days cold but night milder than normal. JULY This month was more settled than June, with well above normal temperatures and sunshine, and less rainfall than usual. The %irst week and the second half of the month saw a predominance of west or northwest %lows and mild daytime temperatures. However, it was colder and wetter from the 9th-15th, with a low over the North Island pushing moist onshore air onto Canterbury followed by a strong cold southerly outbreak on the 14th/15th.. Snow fell on higher hills of Banks Peninsula on the 10th and to lower levels on the 14th, with some hail and sleet in the city brought by the strong southerlies on the latter occasion. AUGUST This month felt more like spring than winter, with temperatures again well above normal. Northeasterly %lows were common (resulting in below average sunshine), with some spells of mild north or northwest %low. Disturbances in these %lows only managed to bring some light falls of rain or drizzle to the city. There was a notable absence of cold southerlies until late in the month, when one brought a spell of cold, showery weather from the 28th-30th with snow on higher Banks Peninsula hills and the upper plains and foothills.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 20 W i n t e r t o b e a l i t t l e w a r m e r t h a n u s u a l By Nigel Benson on Sat, 1 Jun 2013 http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/259378/winter-be-little-warmer-usual A mild winter is being forecast for Otago and Southland. The Niwa seasonal climate outlook for June to August released yesterday predicted neutral conditions were likely throughout the country over the next three months. Higher-than-normal pressures were being forecast for the south and southeast of the country, while lower-than-normal pressures were expected to the west and north of New Zealand, Niwa climate variability and change principal scientist Brett Mullan said. ''It will be about half a degree to a degree warmer than usual. Winter is typically 10degC colder than summer, so people won't be going to the beach in Dunedin,'' Dr Mullan said. (Abridged) L e a d i n g s c i e n t i s t s g a t h e r t o d i s c u s s c l i m a t e c h a n g e 3 June 2013 https://www.niwa.co.nz/news/leading-scientists-gather-to-discuss-climate-change This month in the northern hemisphere carbon dioxide (CO2) levels reached 400 parts per million (ppm) a signi:icant milestone. The last time the concentration of Earth's main greenhouse gas reached this mark, is thought to be about 3 million years ago. NIWA's Principal Scientist, Atmospheric Emissions, Mike Harvey says it will not be long before New Zealand also reaches this mark. Air monitoring at Baring Head in Wellington shows CO2 levels are rising at a rate of 2 ppm per year, we are likely to reach 400 ppm in about 4 years time. Tomorrow leading New Zealand and international scientists are coming together at the New Zealand Climate Change Centre Conference to discuss the results of their latest research. Dr Harvey's presentation will look at the 40 years of data recorded at Baring Head and what it may mean for the future. "It is important for New Zealander's to know what in:luence climate change could be having on our weather and how it could affect rural and urban living. We need to know what changes we might have to make to ensure our resilience and that our infrastructure can cope." Other NIWA presentations include: Principal Scientist Dr Andrew Tait presenting research on how climate change is likely to impact on :looding in New Zealand towns and cities, using Westport as an example, so Councils can plan better for the potential effects that climate change may bring. Marine chemist Dr Kim Currie who is looking at how the ocean uptakes atmospheric CO2 which causes more acidity in the marine environment with possible impacts on our local shell:ish. Modeller Dr Sam Dean who will use the Golden Bay deluge in December 2011 as an example of the impact that climate change may have on extreme weather events in New Zealand. Coastal specialist Dr Rob Bell discussing the latest science on sea level rise and how projections for New Zealand can be used in managing coastal development. The New Zealand Climate Change Conference is held on June 4 5 in Palmerston North. Brace for deluge, heavy snow Met- Service Monday June 03, 2013 ONE News http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/brace-deluge-heavysnow-metservice-5454549 Burkes Pass closes due to snow - Source: Bethany Rentoul
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 21 MetService has issued severe weather watches for parts of the country. Westland, Buller, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Wellington, Wairarapa, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua are among the regions set to face heavy rain and wild weather over the next 24 hours. Pictures sent to ONE News show heavy snow has been causing disruptions for motorists on the last day of the long weekend. Vehicles with chains waited for hours this afternoon for roads to open in Burkes Pass, just north of Tekapo. (Abridged) R a i n % l o o d s h o m e s i n w e s t A u c k l a n d Tuesday 04 Jun 2013 3 News http://www.3news.co.nz/rain-:loods-homes-in-west-auckland/tabid/423/articleid/300216/default.aspx Flooding was particularly bad in west Auckland (Philip Duncan/Twitter) Several homes in west Auckland have been :looded following heavy rain across the region this afternoon. "Many trees in Auckland are only just peaking with Autumn leaves," says WeatherWatch's Philip Duncan. "This is also helping block drains and cause more serious :looding on highways across the city." WeatherWatch says about 25mm per hour of rain has fallen across the city this afternoon. Further south, a southerly gale has reached the capital, with heavy rain and snow predicted for central New Zealand. "This weather system will have a bit of everything from heavy rain, severe gales and even snow to lower levels before it clears away by midweek," MetService meteorologist Daniel Corbett said. (Abridged) N I W A e x p e c t s g o o d w e a t h e r d u r i n g F i e l d a y s Friday, 7 June, 2013 Business http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/niwa-expects-good-weather-during-:ieldays/5/157687 Weather is no longer the concern it once was for Mystery Creek Events Centre (MCEC) thanks to top notch technology that landed at the site two months ago. The weather station which has now had time to learn the micro-climatic condition of the Mystery Creek site - just in time for Fieldays - allows Richard Ferdinands, Operations Manager at MCEC to strengthen the operational and logistical elements involved in such a large scale event. "It takes out the what ifs when it comes to the weather. If we can foretell whether it s going to rain or not, we can pre-empt any negative impact on our exhibitors and visitors by putting our contingency plans in place ahead of time. New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays will be held 12-15 June 2013 at Mystery Creek Events Centre, 10 minutes south of Hamilton. Fieldays is proudly supported by strategic partners - ANZ and the University of Waikato. (Abridged)
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 22 Powder hounds get ready JOHN EDENS IN QUEENSTOWN 07/06/2013 Southland Times http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/business/8768621/powder-hounds-get-ready Jamie Dalziel, of Queenstown, and K2 Snowboards, warming up before opening day at Coronet Peak. Coronet Peak opens tomorrow with some of the best early-june conditions for years. The ski:ield is the :irst to open in Australasia and has an excellent base, with 30cm on the lower slopes and 40cm at the top. More snow is forecast for Sunday, according to the MetService. The Remarkables is scheduled to open on June 22, Treble Cone on June 27 and Cardrona Alpine Resort on June 21. Tourism New Zealand expect at least 100,000 people to visit the country this winter to ski and board. - Fairfax NZ News (Abridged) Burst of heavy rain for Bay Sunday 09th Jun, 2013 By Zoe Hunter Sun Live http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/46007-burst-of-heavy-rainbay.html A burst of heavy rain is forecast to hit the central North Island today, with a severe weather warning in place for Bay of Plenty. A burst of heavy rain is forecast for Bay of Plenty. The heavy rain is part of a "complex trough" which is expected to move across central New Zealand this morning and then across the northern part of the island this afternoon. A frontal rain band embedded in the trough is expected to move across the Bay of Plenty this afternoon and become slow moving over Gisborne towards the evening, reports MetService. (Abridged) Hastings hammered but rain to clear Bay By Sam Hurley NZ Herald Wednesday Jun 12, 2013 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11101849 A heavy deluge caused surface :looding and over:lowing drains in parts of Hastings yesterday. Between 8am and 10am, MetService recorded 18.2mm of rain. (Abridged) N I W A l a u n c h e s n e w s u b s c r i p t i o n S a t u r d a y 1 5 t h J u n, 2 0 1 3 B y L e t i t i a A t k i n s o n S u n L i v e http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/46523-niwa-launches-new-subscription.html A new weather and environmental forecasting service is being launched at the Mystery Creek Fieldays and will provide farmers with tailored information about weather conditions on their farm. The web-based weather forecasting information service called NIWA forecast aims to help farmers and growers identify the right time to carry out weather-dependent operations like irrigation, spraying and harvesting.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 23 Dr Jochen Schmidt presents NIWA forecast at Fieldays 2013. NIWA Chief Scientist, Atmosphere, Dr Murray Poulter says this new service takes forecasting to another level because different forecasts can now be created for properties as little as 12km apart. Information and forecasts incorporate data from the NIWA weather station that best represents climatic conditions on a property. Murray says the service is backed by modelling and the capabilities of one of the most powerful supercomputers of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The forecast can be set to give information about rainfall, temperature, wind, soil temperature and frost. Alerts can be set up that trigger email or text warning messages to nominated recipients whenever the speci:ied alert conditions are forecast instantly identifying windows of opportunity or periods of risk. (Abridged0 C a n t e r b u r y c o u l d g e t ' w o r s t s n o w f a l l i n 2 0 y e a r s ' NICOLE MATHEWSON 17/06/2013 The Press http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/your-weather/8804244/canterbury-could-get-worst-snowfall-in-20-years Canterbury could be hit by the worst snowfall in 20 years this week, weather forecasters are warning. Blue Skies weather forecaster Tony Trewinnard said up to 20 centimetres of snow could fall to sea level in Canterbury on Thursday and Friday, with up to 40cm above 200 metres and up to 60cm above 400m. The ground will not have a chance to dry out before more rain hits the region on Wednesday, turning to snow about dawn on Thursday and with ''frequent showers of periods of snow'' continuing through to Friday night. ''We're not so unused to have snow in Christchurch... but it usually only lasts for six hours or so,'' Trewinnard said. ''To have it potentially last two days is quite unusual and could potentially become quite hazardous.'' Air:low coming from the Ross Sea is expected to cross New Zealand on Wednesday night, combining with a low pressure system moving across the North Island. The conditions bring the potential for heavy snow, severe wind chills and bitterly cold temperatures on Thursday and Friday. ''Potentially we're talking about a very signi:icant weather event, possibly the worst I've seen in 20 years.'' Trewinnard said the weather patterns being predicted were the same as those experienced during Canterbury's infamous snowfall of 1992. (Abridged) W i l d w e a t h e r : T o r n a d o r e p o r t e d i n W a i k a t o Wednesday Jun 19, 2013 NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10891654
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 24 The picture was taken at Paterangi, just south of Hamilton. A tornado reportedly touched down in Waikato for about 10 minutes this afternoon, with a local farmer sending a photograph to forecaster WeatherWatch.co.nz. It was at the lowest end of the scale but was still capable of lifting pieces of roo:ing iron and breaking branches. (Abridged) W e l l i n g t o n i n d a r k a s s t o r m s l a m s c a p i t a l STACEY KIRK, MICHELLE DUFF AND MICHAEL FORBES 20/06/2013 Dominion Post http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8818363/drivers-rescued-as-cold-snap-hit KIRSTY FARRANT A falling tree took out a power pole and lines, blocking Warwick St in the Wellington suburb of Wilton. Power is out to more than 30,000 homes across Wellington, all :lights in and out of the city are cancelled and a ferry has broken loose from its moorings as one of the worst storms in decades batters the region. Civil Defence emergency operation centres in Wellington, Porirua and Lower Hutt were opened late in the evening as the southerly storm got progressively worse. Ohariu Valley, north of Wellington, had also been cut off from the city by fallen trees, which were completely blocking Ohariu Valley Rd. Swells of up to 10 metres had also been reported in Cook Strait, and with high tide expected at about 1am, there were concerns about possible damage to property and roads along Wellington's south coast. SNOW, RAIN: Rakaia Huts 9looding Emergency services were battling horizontal rain with the highest gust of 200kmh recorded at Mount Kaukau, with about 140kmh in the city, a Metservice severe weather forecaster said. A spokesman for the NZ Transport Agency said fallen trees and debris were also partially blocking the northbound lanes of State Highway 2 between Ngauranga and Petone. "We're advising people to just stay at home if they can and only travel if it's absolutely necessary." Region-wide power outages and the threat of trees falling on rail lines had also forced all Tranz Metro train services across the region to be cancelled for the night. Transpower chief executive Patrick Strange said a number of lines were out of service on both sides
of the Cook Strait. Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 25 MetService Forecast weather distribution "Our big concern is the AC links - in the south, it would seem those ones are out due to heavy snow and wind, and obviously in Wellington they're out due to extreme wind." Those links feed power through the Cook Strait Cable, primarily supplying the North Island with electricity. Strange said overhead lines stretching from Benmore in Canterbury to Haywards Substation in Lower Hutt were most likely out because they were clashing together in high winds. MetService severe weather forecaster Heath Gullery said the potentially damaging winds were just getting started. "Rain and severe gales are setting in, the highest recorded so far has hit 140kmh in both Kelburn and Wellington Airport." "This will continue throughout tonight and it won't be until tomorrow afternoon that we see it ease, although winds will still be strong." According to MetService, the low pressure system off the coast of Kaikoura was expected to bring heavy winds overnight. In the south, it was the rural areas of New Zealand that were the worst hit. For inland parts of north Canterbury, it was predicted about 50cm to 100cm of snow would fall during the storm. Many places saw that fall today, although it was expected to continue into tomorrow. Naseby in Central Otago was reportedly cut off, as was Middlemarch, which also had power outages. Fairlie in Canterbury was also cut off and reportedly without power. Up to 60cm of snow was reported in Tekapo. - Fairfax NZ News (Abridged) NIWA s Citizen Snow Project: How deep is the snow at your place? Waiology Jun 20 By Daniel Collins http://sciblogs.co.nz/waiology/2013/06/20/niwas-citizen-snow-project-how-deep-is-the-snow-at-your-place/ With the current storm crossing the country this week, NIWA has kicked off its Citizen Snow Project. The project seeks assistance from public at large to contribute to New Zealand s snow science research by gathering snow measurements at home, in their neighborhood, or wherever they may be. The new data will go alongside data collected by NIWA and other organisations, and will help build up a better picture of how much snow falls during severe storms, particularly at low elevations. The
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 26 information would be used to plan emergency responses in the future and to help gauge the risk of traf:ic disruptions, infrastructure damage and agricultural losses. Members of the public are asked to make measurements of snow depth and snow density, using a ruler, a small saucepan, and their stove. The data will be uploaded to the NIWA website and pooled with other people s measurements. (Abridged) Snow measurements at NIWA s Tekapo 9ield of9ice, morning of 20 June, 2013. (Credit: H. McDermott) O n l y i n N e w Z e a l a n d : M i r a c l e s h e e p s u r v i v e s n o w p o c a - l y p s e by Anthony Sharwood 21 June 2013 http://www.news.com.au/travel/holiday-ideas/only-in-new-zealand-miracle-sheep-survive-snowpocalypse/story-e6frfqdr-1226667298452 Lunch tables at Treble Cone. While Australian ski resorts struggle to kick start the season due to lack of snow, Kiwi ski:ields are struggling to open because there's too much snow to clear. At Treble Cone ski resort, just above Lake Wanaka, there's been so much snow this week, ski patrollers have been doing extra "control" work. Three patrollers at the top of Treble Cone's Saddle Basin spotted a small mound in the snow. On closer inspection, the mound was a sheep and the sheep is alive. Even more astonishingly, two more sheep mounds are discovered. Treble Cone marketing manager Nick Noble has no doubt the patrollers found the sheep just in time.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 27 piece of positive news from this storm. Sheesh, it's a sheepish sheep asleep in a sled "The sheep had particularly long coats and looked like they hadn't been shorn," Nick Noble said. "A lot of sheep spend summer up here munching alpine pastures. Looks like these ones might have been missing for 18 months." As wild weather sweeps New Zealand with hurricane-force winds, :looding, and snow falling to sea level, it's good to hear one W i l d w i n t e r s t o r m s m a s h e s W e l l i n g t o n, d u m p s s n o w i n O t a g o News Limited Network June 21, 2013 9:38AM http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/travel-news/wild-winter-storm-smashes-wellington-dumps-snow-in-otago/story-fni0bieo-1226667311059 Wild storms have lashed parts of New Zealand while a 20 hour snow dump has blanketed other areas. Courtesy ONE News NEW Zealand's capital, Wellington, continues to be battered by the :iercest storm in years, which has ripped up roads, toppled trees, damaged houses, crippled public transport and cut power to some 28,000 customers. Massive seas on the city's south coast have damaged a sea wall at Island Bay in multiple places, The New Zealand Herald reports. Winds gusts reached 140km/h in the capital overnight and 200km/h on Mt Kaukau near Khandallah, while sea swells in the Cook Strait rose to at least 10m. Many schools in the region were forced to close for the day as a result of the widespread power outages. "A lot of sections of roof have blown off, carports have col-
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 28 lapsed and we've got a trampoline on a roof," an emergency services spokesman said. Wellington's main highways had reopened but the rail network was nearly crippled and there were signi:icant delays on public buses. The polar storm has left farmers on the South Island confronting the biggest snowfalls in 60 years. It's the worst I've ever seen. We're 60cm deep in places and we've got 54cm on the back door step," said Otago sheep farmer David Crutchley.. N I W A s s t o r m i n f o r m a t i o n u p d a t e Friday, 21 June 2013, http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/sc1306/s00057/niwas-storm-information-update.htm NIWA has been measuring wave height from a buoy two kilometres off Baring Head, Wellington, since 1995. Last night s waves are the largest seen in that record. The highest waves measured around midnight last night were typically 15 metres from peak to trough. Anecdotal information records the wave height at the time of the Wahine disaster at 12 to 14 metres. Long term wind measurements have been taken at Wellington Airport since 1960, making it a reliable site to gauge the force of southerly storms as it is exposed directly to the southerly wind. Graph courtesy of Dr Murray Poulter from NIWA. The maximum 10 minute average, sustained wind reading, recorded at the airport during this storm was 101km/hour, with individual gusts typically up to 130-140 km/hour. During the Wahine disaster (10 April 1968), the maximum 10 minute average, sustained wind reading was measured at 144 km/hour and stand out by far as the strongest in the 50 years of the record. The largest snow depth on record in the central South Island was 610mm registered in 1973. Snow depth recorded by NIWA staff at Methven yesterday was 99mm. At Lake Tekapo, a snow depth of 600mm was measured yesterday; similar to the 670mm measured in 1973. The snow depth recorded on the inland road near Waiau yesterday was 229mm, slightly more than the 161mm recorded last year. W i l d w e a t h e r w r e a k s h a v o c Fri, 21 Jun 2013 Otago Daily times http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/261866/wild-weather-wreaks-havoc Dunedin was cut off from the north after authorities closed the Kilmog Hill between Evansdale and Waikouaiti because of ice but the route reopened about 11.30am. About 30 roads around the city remain closed because of slips and :looding. State Highway 8 between Alexandra and Roxburgh was closed this morning after six vehicles, including a grit truck, slid off the road near Fruitlands. Motorists throughout much of Central Otago are being advised to postpone travel if they can. A landslip block State Highway 1 south of the Karitane turn-off this afternoon. Photo by Stephen
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 29 Jaquiery Yesterday, Mt Cook had about 700mm of snow, while between 600mm and 700mmfell in Tekapo, and more than 1 metre was dumped on the top of Burkes Pass. Snow has fallen overnight in North Otago, which has impacted the road condition in the district. Civil Defence is urging residents not to undertake any non-essential travel. Driving conditions remain treacherous in many parts of the Clutha District following more rain, and snow in high areas overnight. Widespread snow, ice and wet conditions are affecting travel in most areas. Black ice is also prevalent. (Abridged) S n o w b o a r d i n g i n N i g h t c a p s NEIL RATLEY Southland Times 21/06/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/ news/8824381/ice-snow-and-surface-:looding Southern roads are still taking a battering from the weather, with ice, snow and surface 9looding around the region. Some :lights out of Invercargill and Queenstown were cancelled or delayed this morning, newspaper deliveries have been disrupted, many schools and roads throughout the region are closed and some areas are still without power. Police are urging extreme caution in the ''treacherous'' conditions across parts of Southland and Otago today.it was still snowing heavily in northern Southland. - Fairfax NZ News (Abridged) Storm 'twice in a lifetime event' 22 June 2013 RADIO NEW ZEA- LAND http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/ national/138243/storm-%27twice-in-alifetime-event%27 A climate scientist says the extreme weather gripping New Zealand is probably a twice in a lifetime event. James Renwick from Victoria University in Wellington said on Friday the southerly :low that has engulfed both islands came from unu-
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 30 sually far south - almost as far as the ice cap - which partially explains why the winds were so cold and powerful. He said climate change means powerful storms would become more common in future, but even in 100 years' time this week's weather would be considered particularly bad. Severe winds uprooted trees in Wellington including in the suburb of Island Bay. W e a t h e r i n s u r a n c e c l a i m s % l o o d i n STACEY KIRK, MICHAEL DALY AND MICHAEL FORBES Dominion Post 22/06/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8827797/weather-insurance-claims-:lood-in Wild weather across the country has seen insurance companies :looded with hundreds of claims and calls for assistance. Insurers AMI and State said most claims in Wellington after Thursday night's storm were for wind, tree and water damage to houses, roo:ing and fences. Thursday's storm could potentially be the biggest weather event, insurance wise, in the lower North Island since :loods devastated the region in 2004, he said. - Fairfax NZ News (Abridged) W e a t h e r w a r n i n g : b r a c e f o r a d e l u g e o f w o r d s ROB KIDD 23/06/2013 The Press http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/your-weather/8830342/weather-warning-brace-for-a-deluge-of-words It was a "once-in-50-year storm", it was "the most snow in a generation", it was the "strongest wind for years". Was it perhaps also "the most overblown weather language in a lifetime"? Days before the :irst snow:lake hit the country last week, there were already reports of the magnitude of the coming storm - and the hyperbole began falling as heavy and long as the forecast rain. WeatherWatch.com head weather analyst Philip Duncan admitted the language of weather was a curious thing, and the public could be bombarded with grandiose descriptions of weather that in reality was not signi:icantly worse than it had been in previous years. MetService spokeswoman Jacqui Bridges said they would only make comparisons with the past when the storm had gone, and even then it was dif:icult to make sweeping statements. - Fairfax NZ News (Abridged) Comment: Peculiar that... I cut, pasted and sent Wednesday evenings MetService warning to my boss as we were planned to travel from Welly to Auckland for a day trip on Thursday. He failed to heed it and the upshot was our plane being turned back to AKL somewhere over Taupo, a night in a hotel and all of Friday in a hire car heading back to Wellington.The MetService called it absolutely spot on and work picks up the costs for failing to heed the warning. H e a v y s n o w f a l l b l a n k e t s N e w Z e a l a n d s k i a r e a s S k i c l u b 2 4 J u n e 2 0 1 3 http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/story.aspx?storyid=8927#.ujhewd-ancw A snowstorm has left New Zealand ski areas with plenty of snow as well as causing damage to lifts
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 31 Over 3 metres of snow fell at Mt Hutt. Some resort staff have even been 'snowed in', spending nights on the mountain with access roads becoming inaccessible. Mt Hutt received a whopping 3 metres of snow during last week's stormy weather, giving them an exceptional snow base for this early in the season. However the amount of snow has created a challenge for patrollers, who have carried out avalanche control work from the safety of a helicopter. One controlled slide caused damage to the bottom station of the Towers Triple Chair. (Abridged) A m e r i c a n s V a n i s h a t S e a i n N e w Z e a l a n d A f t e r W e a t h e r T u r n s N a s t y By Associated Press June 27, 2013 http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/135732-americans-vanish-at-sea-in-new-zealand-after-weather-turns-nasty/ In this undated photo provided by Maritime New Zealand the yacht Nina is tied at dock at a unidenti9ied location.(ap Photo/Maritime New Zealand) WELLINGTON, New Zealand A New Zealand meteorologist took the last known calls from the seven people aboard an American schooner: The weather s turned nasty, how do we get away from it? Meteorologist Bob McDavitt said he took a satellite phone call from the boat on June 3. Evi asked how to get away from the weather. He said to call back in 30 minutes after he d studied a forecast. She did. She was quite controlled in her voice, it sounded like everything was under control, McDavitt said, adding that the call itself indicated she was concerned about the conditions. McDavitt said he spoke only brie:ly to Evi, advising her to head south and to brace for a storm with strong winds and high seas. The next day he got a text, the last known communication from the boat: ANY UPDATE 4 NINA? EVI McDavitt said he advised the crew to stay put and ride out the storm another day. He continued sending messages the next few days but didn t hear back. Friends of the crew got in touch with McDavitt
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 32 soon after that, and then alerted authorities on June 14. Kevin Banaghan, who is spearheading search efforts by Maritime New Zealand s Rescue Coordination Centre, said rescuers weren t worried at :irst because there had been no distress call from the boat and its emergency locator beacon had not been activated. He said rescuers on June 14 initiated a communications search, in which they tried contacting the boat over various radio frequencies as well as contacting other vessels in the area to see if they d spotted the Nina. This week, he said, rescuers escalated their efforts. An air force plane on Tuesday searched the area where the boat went missing. A second search by the plane on Wednesday went as far as the Australian coast but again turned up nothing. (Abridged) The weather man unveiled AMY JACKMAN 01/07/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8863778/the-weather-man-unveiled AMY JACKMAN / The Wellingtonian Dan Corbett, pictured on the Metservice roof with the polar-orbiting weather satellite. "The UK has its own unique weather, but it tends to be day drizzle and another day of drizzle, more drizzle." Metservice's Daniel Corbett talks about living in New York, killer tornadoes and presenting the weather. You grew up in Britain and New York. I was born in London and lived in Essex until I was 8. Dad worked for newspapers and got a job in New York, so we moved there. I went to high school and university in New York. I also got my :irst weather job there, doing private forecasts for pilots, gas companies and oil rigs. Was is hard being British in the States? You do stick out. When you're at school, they will make fun of you. It was as simple as me saying tomato differently. When I was living in Alabama and Texas, everything I said was different. I did learn to say: "How y'all doin?" It was hard to break into television because of my accent. My :irst television job was in small- town Alabama. To them the English accent was unique and a hit. I don't think they understood me most of the time, though. Why weather? I like telling stories and have always been interested in the atmosphere and the environment. I went to university and studied engineering, but it didn't :it with me. One day I was watching this chap present the weather and he was just standing there waving his hand about. I thought I could do that. I mean he was doing a rubbish job. Are there differences in British and US weather? Everything is massive in the States. You have the big east coast snow storms and huge tornadoes in the south. I have been through several hurricanes, although I tried very hard to avoid them. The UK has its own unique weather, but it tends to be a day of drizzle and another day of drizzle, more drizzle. Is weather hard to predict? You never get it perfect. Some days mother nature will just say: "Ha ha. Sorry. I'm actually going to do this instead."
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 33 What was forecasting in Tornado Alley like? You take it very seriously. They get tornadoes half a mile wide there. We would stand in the storms using the radar to cut through the storm clouds. When a tornado was coming we would interrupt the programming to tell people. When I was there we had one of the biggest tornadoes you can get, an F5, come through. How bad was the Jarrell tornado in 1997? It was quite dramatic and about 28 people were killed. It's one thing seeing it from afar, but another thing being involved in it. We had :ive that day, but that was the biggest. With those storms it's not a case of people not heeding the warnings, but more a case of where can they hide. I remember going out afterwards and going over a hill into the valley where it touched down. It was spring and everything was lovely and green. There was a brown swath of dirt :ive miles long and a mile wide. I got to the edge of the road and that was gone as well. Everything had been sucked up - grass, trees, houses, everything. It was awesome and frightening. You did the BBC forecasts for Wimbledon as well. It was one of the joys of the summer. We got to spend two weeks at Wimbledon. The :irst day was always the best. There was such a buzz. All the players were there and the BBC programming would start - "da-da-dah" - and then cross straight to me somewhere around the ground. Whenever there was a shower they would cross straight back to me and I would have to say how long it would last. On the sunny days it was very quiet, so you got to sit there and watch the tennis. Why did you move to New Zealand? My wife and I were looking for a lifestyle change. We both had very busy jobs. I was essentially the Jim Hickey of the UK. We had been here on holiday and thought it was a nice place, so decided to move here. Where do your great weather metaphors come from? I love telling stories and communicating the weather. You have to do it in a way that makes sense and gets the message across. If you say: "We have a broad complex low with lots of upper-level troughs rotating around the centre", no-one has a clue that means it's going to be windy, wet, just yucky. I also don't like how people's eyes glaze over when it comes to the weather, then at the end ask: "Is it going to rain tomorrow?" If you can create a picture that conveys the message, like: "It's not picnic-basket weather in the north" or "You'll need your snow shovels in the south", they get it. What do you do to relax? My wife and I like to go for walks and have nice quiet evenings. It's really great because in the UK we were in the media spotlight. I'd have to go to premieres and shows, so it's nice to be able to do our own thing. - The Wellingtonian N i w a t e s t h i s t o r i c w h a r f t o i n s t a l l s t a t i o n By Annette Lambly Monday Jul 1, 2013 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11103469 Divers from Northland Underwater Technical Services have tested timber and pilings on the historic Tikinui wharf on behalf of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Niwa are considering installing a monitoring station to record tidal information such as current :lows and water levels of the Northern Wairoa River which :lows into the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere - the Kaipara. A spokesperson for Niwa said if given the green light to install a station, the information collected would be used to gain a better understanding of the health of the Kaipara Harbour. NIWA forecasts better info DELWYN DICKEY 02/07/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/8863185/niwa-forecasts-better-info Banana palms have :lourished in the heat of a summer that has been hellish for farmers.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 34 BANANA BOOM: The summer brought anxious times for farmers, But Frank Belk of Red Beach is still feasting on a resulting bumper crop of bananas. As the weather patterns return to normal, more certainty all-year -round may be on the cards for farmers and growers needing more localised forecasting. At the Mystery Creek Fieldays the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) launched a new internet service for rural folk to give more localised information. Strong winds cause crashes, cut power 03/07/2013 The Press http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/your-weather/8871837/strong-winds-blowtree-onto-car Dean Kozanic STRONG WINDS: A Sorbus tree lays across the footpath on Peterborough Street. A police spokesman said a caravan rolled off the road and into a paddock near Castle Hill on State Highway 73, between Arthurs Pass and Shef:ield, just before 2pm today. A truck and trailer unit also rolled off the road :ive minutes later and only 26km away at Lake Pearson. It was likely strong winds in the area contributed to both crashes, he said. MetService forecaster Gerard Barrow said winds of such strength had the potential to damage trees and power lines and move any unsecured objects. Driving conditions could be hazardous for those with motorcycles and high-sided vehicles, such as campervans. The wind has forced Mt Lyford ski:ield to close for the day, while Mt Hutt was closed this morning. (Abridged0 Country hit by heavy rain, winds 03/07/2013 Southland Times http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/national-news/8872070/country-hit-by-heavy-rain-winds Heavy rain is expected for parts of Northland from this afternoon, while severe gales in parts of Canterbury, Wellington and Wairarapa should ease, the MetService says. In the 16 hours to 8am tomorrow, up to 110mm of rain was expected in Northland, particularly about the eastern hills and Far North. Rainfall intensities could reach 20mm an hour, specially early tomorrow morning. Streams and rivers may rise rapidly and surface :looding was possible, MetService said. Northwest gales gusting up to 130kmh in inland Canterbury were expected to ease around 3pm today. The winds have cut power to hundreds of homes and brought down trees. Fairfax NZ News (Abridged)
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 35 MYTCHALL BRANSGROVE/ Fairfax NZ WIND DAMAGE: Strong winds in the Mackenzie District. Powerful gusts wreak havoc in Wellington 03/07/2013 Dominion post http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ news/wellington-weather/8870254/ Powerful-gusts-wreak-havoc Gusts reaching 120kmh have taken down a billboard and lifted a roof in Wellington today. Police con:irmed this afternoon a billboard on Featherston St in central Wellington had blown down and roo:ing from Samuel Marsden Collegiate School in Karori had blown off and landed in a :ield. MetService forecaster Dan Corbett said gusts around Wellington were reaching 120kmh this afternoon, with the peak coming about 3pm or 4pm. MetService forecaster Rochelle Fleming said strong gusts also hit Wellington between midnight and 2am. It is almost two weeks since Wellington was lashed by a once-in-a-generation storm, which caused millions of dollars of damage. On June 20 Mt Kaukau had a gust of 202kmh and Wellington Airport had a gust of 143kmh. The Mt Kaukau gust was the highest recorded nationwide in June. (Abridged) Snowmelt pushing Otago rivers to high levels Wednesday, 3 July, 2013 -VOXY http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/snowmelt-pushing-otago-rivers-high-levels/5/160221 Warm northwest conditions continue to prevail across Otago with snowmelt pushing up the Manuherikia, Clutha, Taieri, and Kakanui rivers to high levels. (Abridged) Trees 'going all over the place' as strong winds hit Canterbury Wednesday July 03, 2013 Source: ONE News http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/trees-going-all-over-place-strong-winds-hit-canterbury-5486070 Strong winds overturned vehicles and brought down powerlines in Canterbury today. A severe weather warning was put in place earlier today for Canterbury, Wellington and Wairarapa. South Canterbury Resident Rodney Holden told ONE News that "there's trees going all over the place". "Big old gum trees that were 8 foot across have all fallen over," he said. Record rain in Central Otago no surprise to farmers 4 July 2013 Radio NZ http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/ rural/213650/record-rain-in-central-otago-no-surprise-to-farmers According to NIWA, it was the wettest June on record across Central Otago and coastal areas of Can-
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 36 terbury. Parts of North Otago, and South and mid-canterbury received more than four times their normal June rainfall, and more than double the normal rainfall was recorded in parts of South and Central Otago, Mackenzie Country, North Canterbury and Marlborough. Dunedin hydrological consultant Dave Stewart of Rain Effects said the Otago rainfall :igures are a stunning contrast to the dry summer, when irrigation restrictions were common. Mr Stewart said Otago farmers are telling him that this week's norwesterly winds are helping to dry out the sodden ground after the heavy rain and snow. Tokelau Met Service aided by NZ 04 July, 2013 UTC Radio New Zealand http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=77296 A plea from Tokelau for weather stations on its three islands has been answered, with New Zealand offering to help out. PACNEWS reports that the head of Tokelau s environment services, Kelemeni Tavuto, was overwhelmed with the positive responses from donors at this week s Paci:ic Meteorological Council meeting in Nadi. He says he is grateful for New Zealand meeting one of the urgent needs of the atolls Met Service. He says being at the regional meeting has solved some of the immediate needs of Tokelau s Met Service, which comes under Environment Services. End of golden weather forecast for state service MATT STEWART 06/07/2013 Dominion Post http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8885530/end-of-golden-weather-forecast-for-state-service The weather wars are on again as two publicly funded forecasters go head to head in a battle that some say could kill one of them off. MetService and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research have clashed before, with observers saying there is no justi:ication for funding both of them. The latest clash began last month when Niwa, which has traditionally focused on long-range climate research, launched a rural web service for subscribers, as well as Niwa Weather - a free public forecasting website for urban centres. Philip Duncan, head analyst of rival private forecasting company WeatherWatch, said the move spelled the end of MetService. "Niwa are :ive times bigger than MetService - the writing's on the wall. In the long run, Niwa will absorb MetService, and that's what should happen. Merge them as one and we'll save money and have better forecasts." Victoria University climate scientist James Renwick, who has worked for both organisations, said it was in the national interest for the services - which had been kept separate since Niwa was formed in 1992 - to join forces. It was "crazy, inef:icient and possibly destructive" for such a small country to have two taxpayerfunded enterprises competing in public forecasting. "It does seem like a really poor use of taxpayers' money. It just seems really bizarre." In 2006, government concerns that a lack of co-operation between the two organisations was harming weather forecasting prompted a recommendation that they should merge. In 2007, they agreed to work more closely on forecasting weather, climate and severe events such as snowstorms and :loods. Climate scientist Jim Salinger said the latest antagonism was worse than in 2006. "Now it's going off the tracks again - unless they're together it'll just keep happening." Both organisations were doubling up by vying to provide the same services, he said. Niwa's satellite receiver in the Wellington suburb of Maupuia had been duplicated by MetService, which earlier this year installed a very similar one at its Kelburn headquarters. Niwa chief scientist Murray Poulter said there was no con:lict, and the two agencies were moving in different directions.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 37 MetService communications general manager Jacqui Bridges said it could not comment on questions of inef:iciency. MetService worked closely with Niwa at a "collegial level on the global science scene". "It's not like we're at daggers with them. We're competing around the world in forecasting, so we're used to competition." Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce said he understood Niwa and MetService had "largely different customers and different approaches to their provision of forecasting... "MetService provides general weather forecasting to many users on a commercial basis, while Niwa's new system is much more localised, providing services to individual properties or areas such as vineyards and farms." STATE OF WAR NIWA A Crown Research Institute, it gets core annual government funding of $40 million, with $60m coming from commercial enterprises. Must return a dividend. METSERVICE A pro:it-driven, state-owned enterprise, funded through commercial contracts with government and revenue from other commercial activities. In 2012, its operating revenue was $42m. Winds forecast to return 06/07/2013 The Press http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/your-weather/8887336/winds-forecast-to-return David Hallett Linesmen work to restore power lines on Johns Road after they were brought down in strong winds that hit Canterbury Around 1800 Christchurch homes are still without power after last night's violent winds caused havoc across Canterbury with the MetService warning that the wind could pick (Abridged) V o l a t i l e w e a t h e r ' t h e n e w n o r m a l ' SIMON DAY Stuff 07/07/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8888033/volatile-weather-the-new-normal Get used to it. That "once in 20 years" freak storm is forecast to happen again sooner than you think. Experts say the wild weather of recent months - heavy snowstorms and :looding in the South Island, and stormy winds in Wellington - is the new normal, and the country needs to prepare for more temperamental weather as the climate warms. Based on median predictions for temperature increases over the next century, New Zealand's climate will get drier in some regions, wetter in others, and higher winds and more cyclones will occur, Niwa says. "We might expect to see, not every year, but on average another couple of weeks of drought each year," said David Wratt, Niwa chief scientist. Wratt warned the wisest thing to do for New Zealand was to was "plan accordingly". (Abridged)
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 38 Tornado lifts roof in Himatangi TALIA SHADWELL 08/07/2013 Manawatu Standard http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/8888925/weather-lifts-roof-cuts-power WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ David Thomson, linesman with Tenix in Palmerston North, removes a sheet of corrugated iron blown by a tornado onto power lines. A tornado collected fences and roofs as it tore a path from Himatangi Beach down State Highway 1 to Oroua Downs, sending debris :lying and cutting off power. Startled residents described the funnel as being the width of a street, and was as loud as a freight train. It touched down for a brief yet destructive few minutes on Manawatu's south-west coast about 3pm yesterday. MetService forecaster Paul Mallinson had been watching the radar screens yesterday afternoon and said it was possible the small tornado had formed from the thunderstorm weather cell that had passed through the area. ''The storm that has come up the coast is more suggestive of thunder and gusty winds but you can never really rule out a tornado, they can be very small.''- Fairfax NZ News (Abridged) N S W h a v e e n j o y e d p e r f e c t s n o w a n d b e a c h w e a t h e r 8 J u l y 2 0 1 3 - H e r a l d S u n http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/ holidaymakers-across-nsw-have-enjoyedperfect-snow-and-beach-weather/storyfnii5s3y-1226675608048 deep snow while beachgoers basked under blue skies. The NSW ski 9ields are packed following an abundance of snow. Picture: Steve Cuff HOLIDAYMAKERS have been blessed with weather conditions to suit almost everyone, with skiers making the most of
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 39 More than 50cm of snow has fallen since Friday as the rest of the state has enjoyed unseasonal warm weather. Bureau of Meteorology spokesman Francois Geffroy attributed the contrasting weather to separate high and low pressure systems across the state. "There's a complex low pressure system that moved across the southern Tasman Sea and is currently off New Zealand with quite a few frontal systems attached to that," he said. - Fairfax NZ News Motorists warned of black ice Monday 08th Jul, 2013 Sun Live http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/48242-motorists-warned-of-black-ice.html There have been two separate crashes on the road between Gisborne and Wairoa this morning, say police. MetService is predicting a complex low to bring cooler weather over the country this week. From Wednesday to Friday a strong moist southeast :low is expected to cover most of the North Island. Police are warning of black ice on SH2 from Gisborne to Napier. Snow closes Desert Road Wednesday 10th Jul, 2013 Sun Live http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/48343-snow-closes-desert-road.html Snow has closed the Desert Road overnight as an active weather system moves up the country. The MetService issued a snow warning for the Desert Road yesterday afternoon. Snow is expected to return this afternoon and then turn to sleet tomorrow morning, the weather organisation reports. (Abridged) A detour is available via State Highway 46, 47, 4 and 49. Coldest weather of the year: White -out conditions By Matthew Theunissen Wednesday Jul 10, 2013 NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ news/article.cfm? c_id=1&objectid=10896206 White-out conditions have closed the Desert Rd in the central North Island and eastern regions are experiencing the coldest weather of the year.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 40 Weather: Southerly change coming By Rebecca Quilliam Wednesday Jul 10, 2013 NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10896445 "Really heavy'' show is on the way next week, followed by a sunny, calm spell. Temperatures will get much colder by this weekend, MetService meteorologist Sarah Garlick said, with a heavy snow warning in place above 900 metres for the Central Plateau. Snow in parts of the South Island next week would be "really heavy'', Ms Garlick said. (Abtridged) Odd temperatures recorded at airport PAUL GORMAN 11/07/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8903504/variable-readings-confound Winters in Christchurch just ain't what they used to be. That's if you believe some of the readings being taken at Christchurch Airport. MetService will investigate whether a thermometer at the airport is making our winter seem milder than it really is, after keen weather watchers and some MetService staff noticed recent frosts at the airport were nowhere near as heavy as they once were. Temperatures measured just a few centimetres above the ground by a grass minimum thermometer or automatic probe are generally several degrees Celsius below the air minimum temperature, recorded by a thermometer in the same location but at a height of about 1.5m. Typically, an average Christchurch frost with a minimum of about -3C would have a grass minimum of about -6C. A very heavy frost with a minimum of -5C could be accompanied by a grass minimum of -8C or less. However, the difference between Christchurch Airport's two automated temperature probes on frosty mornings now is sometimes just 10ths of a degree rather than whole degrees. In the heaviest frost last month, on the 29th, the minimum at the airport was -4.2C and the grass minimum -4.7C. But at the Botanic Gardens, the :igures were -2.0C and -7.5C. MetService Christchurch Airport of:ice manager Tony Hawkins said the anomaly appeared to be reasonably consistent. "It could be a technical issue or there could be something else going on at the site." The instruments are located on the opposite side of the airport's main runway to the terminal. A MetService engineering team was scheduled to check the site and the instruments next week. Snow forces Desert Road closure again 11 July 2013 NZ City http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=170045&cat=986&fm=newsmain%2cnarts Parts of the North Island have been hammered with rain and snow overnight, again forcing the closure of Desert Road. About 20cm of snow was expected to settle on Desert Road around the summit on Wednesday night, with the main road again closed after reopening for a period on Wednesday. MetService says snow showers in the area should turn into sleet on Thursday. (Abridged) Contractors work to clear snow-covered roads Thursday July 11, 2013 Source: ONE News http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/ contractors-work-clear-snow-coveredroads-5505147 Snow around the country has today closed schools and caused headaches for drivers.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 41 While :lurries eased this afternoon, the North Island's Desert Road remained closed following a heavy dumping. Contractors worked to clear the road all day, but the NZTA said "white-out conditions" were making it a dif:icult job. (Abridged) J i m S a l i n g e r : W e a t h e r t e a m s w a s t i n g r e s o u r c e s Thursday Jul 11, 2013 NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10896408 New Zealand Rivers respond extremely rapidly to heavy rainfall, so any delay with weather forecasts is a threat to life and property. Photo / Brett Phibbs The regional councils have to pick up the heavy rainfall forecasts, with a time delay and plug into their own hydrological models... New Zealand's weather and climate research services are increasingly duplicating the same work, at the expense of the taxpayer. The start of this month marked 21 years since the introduction of our science reforms, making them "come of age". They were instituted by the Minister of Science, Simon Upton. His vision, to combine "like with like" in science, succeeded in getting scientists that should work together to do so. For example, he combined agricultural research - which was previously dispersed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Department of Scienti:ic and Industrial Research (DSIR) after a fallout between senior civil servants several decades before. Weather, climate, hydrological and atmospheric activities were, at the time, spread between the New Zealand Meteorological Services, DSIR and the Ministry of Works and Development. Under Mr Upton's blueprint all these activities were all supposed to be carried out by National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa). Unfortunately, even before Niwa formed, the plan was thwarted by a self-interested Wellington mandarin who convinced a then acting Minister of Transport that weather forecasting was a revenuegenerating exercise and should not be consolidated with Niwa. So in 1992 the NZ Met Service was kept separate from Niwa and, despite a couple of subsequent reviews recommending the two Crownowned companies merge, they haven't done so. This has been to the cost of taxpayers both monetarily and in services provided. Given they were both largely funded by government-sourced money, one would expect co-operation. Instead, the two entities began competing to provide New Zealanders with the same services. The developing cold front between Niwa and the Met Service culminated in 2007 when the Government appointed a mediator to sort out their behind-closed-doors dispute. The mediation followed concerns that a lack of co-operation was damaging the country's overall weather forecasting capacity, and a review in 2006 called for the two organisations to merge. The review recommended the introduction of new national weather objectives, including improved forecasting of severe events such as :loods and snowstorms. At the eye of the storm was New Zealand's :irst weather supercomputer, bought in 1999 to further Niwa's scienti:ic work and boosted in 2004 to four times its original capacity. It was christened Kupe to recognise the spirit of scienti:ic discovery in which it was purchased. Niwa scientists developed their new weather forecasting model on that computer, one which some say enables faster, more reliable warning of extreme weather events. The trouble is, under an ironclad contract with the Ministry of Transport, that's Met Service's job - and they could not access the
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 42 Niwa information. Niwa's former head Paul Hargreaves said the dispute had resulted in new early :lood-warning technology going unused. The Met Service then said it was the role of regional councils to predict :loods, then questioned the technology's ef:icacy. The regional councils only have access to the Niwa information if they pay for it. Some can afford to, some cannot. At that time, the late weather forecaster Augie Auer accused Niwa - whom he criticised for "stretching its boundaries" - of planning to grab the lucrative government contract for severe weather and marine forecasting and said the Met Service would naturally resist. Mr Auer argued that it was all driven by the need to make pro:its and Niwa would be seeking to recover some of the costs of developing its detailed computer models. He wondered if the Met Service might also be under pressure from Treasury to account for its performance, suspecting slipping standards and hinted at some "interesting personalities" in the two organisations. The subsequent 2007 government strategic review concluded the two organisations should endeavour to optimise bene:its in the national good and public interest of New Zealand. Both agreed that these were: Enhanced safety and well-being of New Zealanders, protection of property and infrastructure, and economic bene:it to the nation, through reliable forecasting of weather, climate and associated environmental events and impacts. This was agreed and signed off by the Met Service and Niwa boards. They were to work towards enhancing the bene:it to New Zealand Inc of their activities. And in November 2007 then Science Minister Pete Hodgson announced Met Service and Niwa had signed an of:icial agreement to work more closely together on forecasting New Zealand's weather, climate and associated environmental events. "Accurate information about our weather and environment is vital to New Zealanders, especially given that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our generation," he said. In Australia, the United States and France, weather, climate and hydrological research and services are in one government agency. When severe weather is forecast, the heavy rainfall predictions from the numerical weather prediction models are used directly by the hydrological models to predict :loods in the river catchments. Unfortunately in New Zealand, the regional councils have to pick up the heavy rainfall forecasts, with a time delay and plug into their own hydrological models, which vary in quality, depending on what they can afford. All of this when they could be using models provided by the combined might of Niwa and the Met Service. Our rivers respond extremely rapidly to heavy rainfall, so any delay is a threat to life and property. Now this year, at a time when weather, climate and hydrological research and services are totally integrated in many other countries for the public good, relationships appear to be breaking down yet again. Niwa has a satellite receiver in eastern Wellington and the Met Service has recently duplicated this with another, almost identical satellite receiver at Kelburn - all from public monies. Both institutions run numerical weather prediction models they both separately purchased from the UK Meteorological Of:ice, and Niwa is advertising for meteorologists in Auckland. These are both examples of a service they could provide jointly. Niwa provided a state-of-the-art weather forecasting service for the Fieldays at Mystery Creek in June, an activity that Met Service should be doing. Now Niwa has started a new web-based weather forecasting and information subscription service. And both companies collect weather and climate data funded by the public purse through separate networks, which is not all shared. Universities are also :inding that access to weather and climate data for sound research is being restricted. Unfortunately this silliness continues at a time when the Government is combining like with like, and at a time when there is pressure on the public purse. This anomaly perpetuated by self-interest should be called to a halt. I propose that the Government seriously consider combining the two organisations - as was suggested in the original blueprint 21 years ago. This would allow the nonsense to stop and prediction of weather and climate extreme events such as
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 43 heatwaves, freezes, severe snowstorms, :loods and droughts and other natural weather and climate disasters to improve, at a lower cost to the taxpayer. New Zealand is a small country and we can ill afford the ridiculous duplication of some expensive resources across two Crown-owned entities that are competing. Jim Salinger is an Auckland Climate Scientist and 2012 Lorrey Lokey Visiting Professor, Stanford University. H a r s h w e a t h e r d r i v e s p r i c e s u p CATHERINE HARRIS AND JAZIAL CROSSLEY Business12/07/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/8908915/harshweather-drives-prices-up KENT BLECHYNDEN/ Fairfax NZ JOY OF FOOD: Ti Kouka Cafe chef Shepherd Elliot. The drought and recent wild weather have taken their toll on the supply of salad vegetables, pushing up the cost of food last month. - Fairfax NZ News (Abridged) Heavy rain to cause holiday hassles OLIVIA WANNAN 12/07/2013 Dominion Post http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ news/wellington-weather/8911247/ Heavy-rain-to-cause-holiday-hassles South Wairarapa District Council ROAD CLOSURES: Flooding on White Rock Rd at Tuturumuri in Wairarapa has forced the closure of the road. (Abridged) Holiday makers urged to take care on roads Friday July 12, 2013 Source: ONE News http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/holiday-makers-urged-take-care-roads-5506372 Holiday makers heading off on the school holidays are still being warned to take care when driving, despite roads in the central North Island reopening after a big snow storm. The storm closed the Desert Road this week, but also delivered a huge dumping to the regions ski :ields in time for the busy winter holidays. (Abridged)
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 44 Weather eases, but travel still affected Friday 12 Jul 2013 3 News http://www.3news.co.nz/weather-eases-but-travel-still-affected/tabid/423/articleid/304693/default.aspx Snow and rain has eased across the North Island but the wild weather is still affecting transport, with roads still closed due to :looding and ice. Severe weather warnings, which have been in place for parts of the North Island over the past two days, have been lifted, but Met- Service says heavy rain is still expected in Hawke's Bay on Saturday. Commuters still face blockages on the Desert Road with snow keeping it closed for a third day, though the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says it expects it will reopen around 1pm. (Abridged0 Flights cancelled as 130km/h winds hit Wellington Sunday July 14, 2013 Source: ONE News http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/:lights-cancelled-130km-h-winds-hit-wellington-5508294 Spray on Wellington seafront - Source: Alex Judd Hundreds of passengers :lying in and out of Wellington have been affected by 130km/h winds that have hit the capital. Dozens of :lights into and out of Wellington have been cancelled, though some, according to the Air New Zealand website remain as scheduled. State Highway 63 in the Wairau Valley was blocked earlier this afternoon after trees fell onto the road, while on the Desert Road, snow is expected at times through to Monday night. (Abridged) Slips, high winds, heavy rain and power cuts Flights cancelled amid 130kmh gales ALEX FENSOME 14/07/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8916931/slipshigh-winds-heavy-rain-and-power-cuts STOMACH CHURNER: The Arahura leaves on a freight-only sailing on Sunday afternoon. V MetService duty forecaster Liz Walsh said a southerly front was sitting in the Cook Strait, and could cause some damage, with wind gusts expected to hit 130kmh. The front is not as deep or as strong as last month s storm but the winds could lift roofs or unsecured property, she said. Anridged I c y, ' b l i z z a r d ' c o n d i t i o n s i n s o u t h 14/07/2013 The Press http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/your-weather/8917013/ice-warning-for-southern-motorists Residents in parts of north Canterbury woke this morning with paddocks covered in a thin layer of
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 45 Casey Macaulay Little Angus Macaulay plays in Oxford's snow. snow. MetService forecaster Elke Louw said most parts of the region would experience snow down to 200m. Heavy falls were expected above 400m, north of the Rakaia River, until tomorrow morning, Louw said. Conditions in parts of Southland and Central Otago this morning are described as "extreme". Police say there is ice and black ice on the main highways and there have been reports of 10 minor ice related crashes where cars have hit ice and slid off the road. Abridged Severe weather cuts power and disrupts travel 14 July 2013 Radio NZ http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/214448/severe-weather-cuts-power-and-disrupts-travel Extreme weather hitting much of the country has cut power to thousands of homes in Taranaki and caused the cancellation of :lights and ferries in and out of Wellington. Electricity provider Powerco says strong winds brought down trees over power lines in Taranaki, cutting power to 11,000 homes. It says about 8000 homes are likely to have no power until Monday morning. MetService meteorologist Tristan Oakley says overnight temperatures across most of the country will reach low single-:igures on Sunday night. He says motorists should be careful of black ice, particularly in the South Island. Snow is forecast above 500 metres for the South Island, and heavy snow warnings are in place for North Canterbury and Kaikoura above 400 metres. Wellington Airport's 9light information board. W i n d s t e a r u p r e g i o n MATT RILKOFF AND HANNAH FLEMING Taranaki Daily News 15/07/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8918155/winds-tear-up-region Clean-up efforts are in motion across the city in the wake of last night's storm. The airport has reopened and Powerco is working to restore power to the 6000 homes which were still without electricity this morning. New Plymouth airport duty controller Graeme Snell said the airport had suffered some damage with
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 46 winds reaching 135 kilometres an hour, but the runways were clear and planes have already been taking off and landing this morning. Abridged Taranaki Wind damage 2 0 1 3 d r o u g h t w a s w o r s t s i n c e 1 9 4 5 - s t u d y Thursday Jul 25, 2013 Business http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10903236 This year's drought was one of New Zealand's most extreme and the worst in nearly 70 years, a study has revealed. The comparative study, commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and undertaken by Niwa, found the drought was the worst since that of 1945-46. It was also one of the most widespread, with only the 1972-73 drought in Wairarapa, Tasman, Otago and Southland coming close in terms of geographical spread. The study found the cause of the drought was not the prevalent El Nino system, but slow-moving or 'blocking' high pressure systems over the Tasman Sea and New Zealand over summer. The study found the most affected areas in this year's drought were southern Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, the central North Island, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and parts of the north and west of the South Island. Niwa principal scientist Brett Mullan said the PED (Potential Evaotranspiration de:icit) data from last July to May this year was the worst since 1972 for more than one third of the North Island. Mr Anderson, a Policy manager for MPI, said the adverse event declaration would remain in place until September 30, which would allow rural communities to get through winter and into early spring. An adverse event declaration allows the Government to provide extra funding through rural support trusts, as well as tax relief and hardship payments for eligible farmers. Abridged Auckland and Chch car occupants exposed to poorest air quality Monday, 29 July, 2013 VOXY http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/auckland-and-chch-car-occupants-exposed -poorest-air-quality/5/162597
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 47 Professor Simon Kingham While New Zealand s major cities have less congestion and lower volumes of traf:ic than other cities elsewhere in the world they still produce high commuter exposure to :iner particles, University of Canterbury (UC) transport expert Professor Simon Kingham says. He has led a major project with other researchers from the University of Auckland and NIWA, collecting data in Christchurch and Auckland. This was the :irst study ever done in New Zealand. The results show that, compared to other countries, the air that commuters breathe while travelling is cleaner for carbon monoxide, but similar for :ine particulates for some of the world s biggest cities. The air inside motor cars is generally more polluted that the air in buses, trains and for cyclists. People cycling on the road experience signi:icantly worse quality air than people cycling on routes away from roads. Abridged M o u n t a i n f o r e c a s t s c o u l d s a v e l i v e s TESSA JOHNSTONE Dominion Post 31/07/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8986534/mountain-forecasts-could-save-lives PHIL REID/Fairfax NZ WATCHING THE WEATHER: Conservation Minister Nick Smith, left, checks out the mobile version of MetService's new mountain forecasts with project manager Douglas Jones, centre, and public weather service manager Ramon Oosterkamp. Trampers in the Tararua Ranges will be able to get :ive-day forecasts for the huts they are walking to for the :irst time, potentially saving lives. MetService has announced a new mountain range forecast system, which will give more detailed information for 24 national park locations, including three huts in Tararua Forest Park. A contract with the Conservation Department has more than doubled from $106,000 to $226,500 a year, allowing MetService to put a new computer modelling system in place which gives more detailed forecasts. The forecasts will include wind, wind chill, precipitation, free air freezing level and "feels like" information and will be available online and via the MetService mobile app. Conservation Minister Nick Smith, who of:icially launched the service today, said about six people a year die in New Zealand's mountain ranges and better weather information would reduce the risk to trampers. Metservice meteorologist and Wellington Land Search and Rescue volunteer Nicole Ranger said giving park users better information would help them make better choices. ''It should cut back on weather-related incidents and bad decisions related to weather.'' (Abridged)
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 48 Expect another polar blast - MetService Thursday August 01, 2013 Source: ONE News http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/expect-another-polar-blast-metservice-5524540 It might be nearing the end of winter, but forecasters are warning there could be more icy blasts to come. Official figures for July temperatures and rainfall will be released in a few days, but the last month has seen at least two wintry blasts hit New Zealand, Met- Service says. Meteorologist Dan Corbett told TV ONE's Breakfast that the weather is like a circus in that "it's not over until the fat lady sings". "We've had some lovely high pressure over the last few weeks so we have seen very mild temperatures, but one more little cold blast might work its way up and possibly even a couple more as well before we clear winter out the back door," he said. Mr Corbett said when it comes to weather, expect the unexpected. (Abridged) Spring weather to kick in soon ASHLEIGH STEWART 01/08/2013 The Press http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8991457/spring-weather-to-kick-in-... SNOW NO MORE: Canterbury's winter snows will be a thing of the past if spring temperatures kick in earlier than usual. After a wet and stormy winter, the South Island looks set for a balmy early start to spring. Abridged Climate report grim reading MATT BOWEN 02/08/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/8993242/climate-report-grim-reading Rising sea levels, hotter temperatures and extreme weather, they're all in store for the Waikato region, according to the latest report from the Government's top scientist. NZ's Changing Climate and Oceans by the prime minister's chief science adviser, Sir Peter Gluckman, predicts chemical changes in the ocean, doomed ski fields, floods and wildfires, as well as rising temperatures and sea levels.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 49 The evidence that the Earth's climate is changing is unequivocal, the report says, and there is strong scientific agreement that man-made greenhouse gases are largely to blame. By the end of the century, New Zealand is expected to be at least 2 degrees Celsius warmer than it was back in 1990. The extremes will have shifted too. There's likely to be fewer frosts, more scorching hot days and lengthy droughts. Rainfall patterns are expected to be less predictable, with more frequent heavy rains and dry spells. For Federated Farmers Waikato president James Houghton, it may mean more investment in water storage infrastructure to see farmers through the dry times. "I suppose it can inspire and motivate people to build infrastructure for the future," he said. Abridged AT RISK: Warmer seas and lower ph will make mollusc shells weaker and more vulnerable to predators. Cost of storm sign of things to come - Greens Friday, 2 August, 2013 -VOXY http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/cost-storm-sign-things-come-greens/5/163221fuseworks Media New figures estimating the cost of the June storm to the country are even more concerning given the increase in extreme weather events that we face, the Green Party said today. The Insurance Council of New Zealand has today released preliminary figures estimating the cost of the June storm to be at least $33 million. "The Government s climate change report released yesterday signalled that we will face a lot more extreme storms like the June one," Green Party climate change spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham said today. "We know a changing climate means more extreme weather events. The June storm was used as an example in the report as an example of the types of events we can expect in the future. "The Government needs to do more both to reduce our emissions, and adapt to climate change." said Dr Graham. Heavy rain expected to hit North Island Friday August 02, 2013 Source: ONE News / Fairfax http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/heavy-rain-expected-hit-north-island-5525559 Flooding on the outskirts of Kaikohe - Karen Doidge Heavy rain and severe gales are forecast to hit the North Island over the next 24 hours. MetService has issued a severe weather warning for Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Gisborne. Meteorologists said that a slow moving front is directing a strong moist easterly flow onto the north and east of the North Island. Karen Doidge told ONE News that heavy rain has caused flooding in some parts of Kaikohe today. "A rude awakening for new lambs calves and foals which are starting to appear," she said. "It is still raining but thankfully the wind has dropped." Abridged
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 50 When Niwa's a party pooper, popular lore prevails Mon, 5 Aug 2013 Otago Daily Times http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/267384/when-niwas-party-pooper-popular-lore-prevails Bryon Wells, of Wanaka, competes in the Winter Games men's qualifying halfpipe last year. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery. So Niwa is still being seen as the National Institute of Party Poopers in our house, with its prediction for a warm winter. For a while, we decided instead to go with Moon Man Ken Ring's highly scientific predictions, but the large dumps forecast for the middle and the end of July are yet to materialise here. Atmospheric tide tables, don't you know. Tricky things to interpret. There's something about the lengthy language of meteorology that causes panic and confusion in my mind: perhaps it's the threat of beards and global warming theories hiding behind the pressure maps. Far more memory-friendly are the lovely little ditties that let us know what we're in for each year. Everyone knows they're true. Like this from Mt Hutt/Mt Shut (see, it rhymes already!): It snows. It blows. It goes. (The meteorological explanation is all about nor'westers but they're harder to rhyme.) Further south, there's more poetic wisdom than you can shake your ski poles at. Snow in May never stays, snow in June comes too soon but snow in July, on that you can rely. Liz Breslin is a writer from Lake Hawea. Abridged MetService buy to boost export potential 06/08/2013 Business http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9007259/metservice-buy-to-boost-export-potential MetService has bought a 49 per cent share in an New Zealand oceanographic consultancy it says will open new markets, rejecting suggestions the move puts it at odds with Niwa. The $3 million purchase of MetOcean Solutions would allow the weather bureau to boost its export potential, MetService chief executive Peter Lennox said. Joining forces with MetOcean helps us accelerate our development in the energy sector, and springboards us into the rapidly-growing marine sector a potential market of over $10M with established products and world-class expertise, said Mr Lennox. MetOcean does customised oceanographic forecasting and consultancy, work which complements Met- Service's research and development. The deal comes as questions have been raised about the need for both the MetService and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa), which lists aquatic resources and coastal environments as central to its work Climate scientist Jim Salinger has long criticised the separation of the agencies. With their combined resources, including two multimillion-dollar supercomputers, a merged agency could provide the same services as MetOcean, he said. "They could do the same thing or do it better," Salinger said. Lennox told Fairfax Media the future of the two government-owned commercial organisations was not under scrutiny, and criticisms came from a small group. Nor were they at odds, with he and Niwa chief executive John Morgan meeting regularly, he said. "There is no problem between Niwa and ourselves, there is no issue," Lennox said. "We're not butting heads, we've got a very good relationship." The issue had detracted from what he saw as a positive development. "Our international brand MetraWeather is already delivering New Zealand's meteorological expertise globally to the media and energy industries," Lennox said. Joining forces with MetOcean "springboards us into the rapidly growing marine sector - a potential market of over $10m", Lennox said. Last month MetraWeather renewed its weather presentation services contract, worth more than $2m, with global broadcaster BBC. It also has Asian deals including one with Phoenix TV, the world's largest Mandarin-language broadcaster, and the installation of its Weatherscape XT graphics system at Hong Kong's TVB.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 51 "We aren't graphics people who tried their hand at weather; we're weather experts who know what's needed from the graphics," Lennox said. MetOcean chief executive Peter McComb saw working with MetService as a natural fit for the company, which has offices in New Plymouth and Raglan. MetService's weather intelligence, international sales and marketing expertise would open its access to global markets. Salinger said the acquisition was a "direct overlap" into Niwa's ocean modelling brief and the ongoing clash between the competing agencies was "loopy" "It appears to be bureaucrats fighting bureaucrats at the expense of science and the national interest." Niwa chief scientist Murray Poulter would not comment on the matter because of its commercial nature. - Fairfax NZ News More snow down under as Winter Games NZ welcomes international athletes 08 August 2013 Ski club http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/story.aspx?storyid=8947#.ujud_hcancw The Saddle Basin at Treble Cone looking good after fresh snowfall. The internationally renowned snow park at Cardrona will host World Cup Freestyle and Snowboard events. New Zealand ski areas had an incredible start their winter, with heavy snowfalls giving the majority of resorts a solid snow base which has held up well, despite the recent dry spell which has lasted 2-3 weeks. Unsettled weather has brought a dusting of fresh snow to ski areas across the south of New Zealand, with the most notable snowfall at Wanaka's Treble Cone, where 10-15cm of new snow on their upper slopes on 8 August. The return of more wintry weather is good news for local skiers and boarders of course, but also for the international field of competitors who've headed south for top-level competition. Abridged Gardeners risk cold ambush MICHELLE ROBINSON 11/08/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/9028240/ Gardeners-risk-cold-ambush BEN CURRAN/Fairfax NZ Bloomin busy: Bruce Sanson, of The Plant Place, with sprouting tomatoes, roses and a kowhai tree, all selling well because of warm weather. It's been dubbed "sprinter" - the winter that feels more like spring, but those with green fingers should think twice before rushing into the garden. The days are getting longer and warmer, and already magnolia trees and daffodils are in bloom, but a sudden cold snap would spell disaster for unprotected baby crops, NZ Gardener editor Jo McCarroll warns. "It's very tempting to get planting but you just can't beat mother nature, you never know what's going to be in store," McCarroll said. "You can see an unseasonal blossom in the garden but if there's a cold spell that will be knocked right off." Abridged
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 52 Avalanche claims one of NZ's greatest By: Jacob Brown, and Newstalk ZB Staff, New Zealand News Tuesday August 13 2013 http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/1461325292-risk-of-more-avalanches-after-climber-killed The area around Lake Alta had a history of avalanches (NZ Herald) Strong winds, fresh snow, and an icy surface are thought to have contributed to the deadly avalanche on The Remarkables. Jamie Vinton-Boot, who was 30 years old and one of New Zealand's greatest climbers, lost his life when the avalanche swept him 500-metres down the western face of The Remarkables mountain range. The fragile nature of some South Island mountains is being highlighted following the death of a climber in an avalanche. WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan says there's a range of things that can lead to a sudden avalanche. "You have different layers at different sort of depths that's frozen. "At other levels might get some melting and things can start to slide around, so any noise or movement by people can absolutely lead to these, or be the trigger for these, avalanches." Philip Duncan says strong winds also play a big part in the risk of mountain avalanches. Abridged Weather system forecasts fire Fri, 16 Aug 2013 Otago Daily Times http://www.odt.co.nz/news/farming/268886/weather-system-forecasts-fire The new Fire Weather System will provide rural firefighters with the information they need when they need it, members of the Forest and Rural Fire Association of New Zealand (FRFANZ) heard earlier this month. The system, a collaboration between Niwa and the New Zealand Fire Service, was expected to go live next week and would replace the previous system which had operated for the past 15 years, New Zealand Fire Service Fire Weather System project manager Tim Pardy said at the FRFANZ conference in Queenstown earlier this month. - by Timothy Brown Abridged Tim Pardy Warmest-ever winter -climate scientist Sunday August 25, 2013 Source: ONE News http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/warmest-ever-winter-climate-scientist-5543663 Eyre mountains over Lake Wakatipu - Source: Supplied by Chris Prudden A climate scientist says New Zealand is likely to have its warmest-ever winter. With only a few days to go, climate scientist Jim Salinger says the country has so far experienced its warmest winter since reliable records began in the 1860s. And Mr Salinger says the door to cold spells from the Southern Oceans is well and truly closed at the moment with September-like temperatures already occurring throughout August. The mean winter temperature, with 7 days to go, for the 7 indicator stations that NIWA uses has been a record 9.5C, a full 1.2C above the 1971-2000 winter normal of 8.3C.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 53 The previous warmest winter occurred in 1998 with a mean temperature of 9.3C, 1.0C above normal. Reliable records in New Zealand date back to the late 1860s when precision instruments were installed. Mr Salinger says the clearest climate warming signal is seen in winter, where temperatures are now 1.1C warmer than they were around 1870. He says the warming trends have been very consistent, especially since the 1950s, since when frosts days have decreased dramatically across the country. Abridged Auckland fog affects flights Monday Aug 26, 2013 NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11114412 The Sky Tower is barely visible through the fog this morning. Photo / Paul Harper Fog restrictions have been lifted at Auckland Airport after dozens of domestic flights were disrupted this morning. Fifty-nine flights were delayed or cancelled, 35 arrivals and 24 departures. - APNZ Abridged Sting in the tail of warm winter STACEY KIRK Stuff 26/08/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9087095/sting-in-the-tail-of-warm-winter It's been one of the warmest winters in some time, but the season is not about to let us move to spring without one final bite. According to MetService, the past three months have been "unseasonably warm". Meteorologist Daniel Corbett said the mean average temperatures have been at least a degree warmer in many parts of New Zealand, compared with this time last year. "We have had a few weak fronts, but largely it's been anticyclones and fronts coming in from the north and west, which are typically warmer than the south and east fronts we're used to at this time of the year." Corbett said the last "real southerly" New Zealand felt was mid July. But "Mother Nature still has one final trick in her bag", before spring, Corbett said. A "disturbed westerly flow" was due to bring in showers about western areas and snow for lower parts of the South Island and possibly the Central Plateau. MetService said a trough followed by colder southerlies was expected to move over the South Island later on Wednesday, then over the North Island on Thursday, bringing snow to low levels in the south east of the South Island and about the top of the Desert Road. Abridged North Island's fifth consecutive weekend low Tuesday, 27 August, 2013 -VOXY http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/north-islands-fifth-consecutive-weekend-l... The fifth weekend low pressure system to affect the North Island this month is expected to develop on Friday, then hover around north eastern New Zealand well into the first week of September predicts Weather- Watch.co.nz. Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says like the previous four weekends this one will be again be a mixture of warm sunny weather and cloudy, wet, weather. "This new low will form after a cooler southerly change arrives on Thursday. This low may not deliver a lot of rain for the northern most regions, instead it may be more focused on Gisborne, East Cape and Hawkes Bay". Mr Duncan says the low will deepen over the weekend again fuelling blustery south easterlies for some areas "South easterlies can be a fairly dry wind direction for many of the North Island's main centres but gusty
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 54 winds could affect eastern coastal areas of the entire island at times from Friday through until mid next week". Abridged Cold snap to grip the country Tuesday August 27, 2013 Source: Fairfax http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cold-snap-grip-country-5545258 Car drives in snow - Source: Thinkstock Snow down to 200 metres is expected in the lower South Island tomorrow, with most of the country expected to feel some impact from a change to a cold southerly wind in the next day or two. Snow showers were also expected about the top of the Desert Road, MetService said, and the road over the Rimutaka Range, between Wellington and Wairarapa, could be affected by snow on Thursday. "This could cause a significant issue for farmers with young livestock and for people wishing to use some of the higher mountain roads," MetService spokesman Daniel Corbett said today. Snow was expected down to 500m in Canterbury from tomorrow evening, with some falling Thursday morning. There was a low risk that more than 10 centimetres of snow could accumulate about inland Canterbury tomorrow night. MetService expected the Milford Road would be the only major route that might be affected by snow today, with the possibility that up to 1cm of snow about the Homer Tunnel. Abridged Late polar blast moves north Thursday August 29, 2013 Source: ONE News http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/late-polar-blast-moves-north-5547328 A winter polar blast has brought snow to ground level in many Mid-Canterbury farming communities. Farmers said they were well prepared for the sudden dip in the temperature, which could have been particularly dangerous for new lambs and calves. Andy Fraser from 45 Weather South said snow had fallen down to 400m and there was six inches of the white stuff in Fairlie. But he said it was the cold winds and rain that caused the most problem for farmers with young livestock overnight. The temperatures quickly moved up into double digits in Christchurch as the warmest winter on record continues. Farmers say the warmth has helped them stay ahead before the seasons change. "It's been a great morale booster for farmers cause June was exceptionally cold with the snow event that we had then," Chris Allen from Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers said. "We weren't sure if we would have adequate feed supplies coming through after a hard autumn but it's just been an ideal set up for spring."
Meteorological Society of New Zealand Newsletter #134 Sep 2013 - Page 55 Southern snow moves north MICHAEL DALY 29/08/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9101123/southern-snow-moves-north KIRK HARGREAVES/Fairfax NZ FRESH DUMP: An southerly brings snow to the Torlesse area of the Southern Alps. Snow, high winds and heavy rain are expected in some parts of the country as a trough followed by strong cold southerlies moves over the North Island. The wintry blast is moving north after snow fell to as low as 500 metres in the South Island overnight. Southeast winds were expected to rise to gale force in Taranaki, reaching severe gales for a time in some exposed areas, particularly north of Mt Taranaki, MetService said. Winds should ease overnight. Some heavy rainfall was expected in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne this afternoon, with the heaviest rain from this evening until early tomorrow in the area north of Wairoa. Snow was expected down to about 800m in the central North Island high country. Higher routes such as the Desert Road could be affected this afternoon and evening. Between 3pm and 11pm, up to 10 centimetres could accumulate near the top of the road. "People are advised that cold temperatures, with significant wind chill in areas exposed to the strong southerlies, may cause stress to vulnerable stock," MetService said. Overnight snow had fallen in the South Island above about 500m to 600m, with about 1cm falling at Naseby in Central Otago, about 600m above sea level, MetService meteorologist Richard Finnie said. Abridged - Fairfax NZ News Late winter blast to bring perfect skiing conditions Thursday Aug 29, 2013 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11116489 Photo / Sarah Ivey The late winter blast has brought a perfect weekend for skiers, with most ski fields receiving a good dumping of snow, and the weather set to clear by Saturday. MetService spokesman Dan Corbett said the cold snap had brought good levels of snow to South Island ski fields over the past 12 to 19 hours. Snow has fallen down to 300m through parts of Otago, Southland and Canterbury. Ohau ski field received 40cm of snow, Craigieburn 27cm, Cardrona 20cm, and Coronet Peak 8cm. In the North Island, Turoa and Whakapapa have also had fresh snowfalls, and could expect more tonight. "This is a perfect weekend for the skiers, they've got some fresh powder, fine conditions and they'll be in pretty good shape," Mr Corbett said. Weather would clear on Friday, after some leftover showers in the morning, Mr Corbett said. Weather for Saturday and Sunday would be "lovely, after some coolish nights." "I think by the weekend we'll all get what we're looking for whether it's to be out in the garden and do our jobs or whether it's just to get some decent weather." Abridged