Wild weather forecast for Waitangi

1:00PM Monday February 05, 2007

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10422514

Waitangi Day celebrations in the Far North tomorrow are set to be marred by thunderstorms, heavy rain and possible flooding.

Heavy rain isolates Far North   TVNZ (with video)

 7 Feb 2007  http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/981019

The Far North has been cut off from the rest of New Zealand after heavy rain and flooding damaged road access. Flood waters have caused cracks in the Mitimiti Bridge on State Highway One north of Te Kao, isolating the top 30 kilometres of the North Island.

 

Motorists are trapped north of the bridge as the road is the only access to and from Cape Reinga. Far North District Council spokeswoman Alison Lees says the only other way to get through is along 90 Mile Beach and many light vehicles would not cope.

This has left residents in the small community of Waitiki Landing, just 20 kilometres south of Cape Reinga, wondering when they will be reconnected to the rest of the country.

UK And NZ Boost Weather and Climate Monitoring In The Pacific

Wednesday, 7 February 2007, 4:29 pm Press Release: MetService

The British High Commission, MetService NZ and the UK Met Office today announced the launch of the Rescue-Pac project aimed at rescuing the deteriorating state of weather and climate observational equipment in the Pacific.

The Rescue-Pac project comes at a critical time for many Pacific Island weather services as recent figures released by the World Bank show weather-related disasters in the Pacific have increased dramatically since the 1950s.

Figures show that during that time more than 3.4 million people have been affected and over 1700 have died. Economic losses topped more than $2.8 billion in the 1990s alone.

The Rescue-Pac project aims to ensure that key observations are taken and communicated globally for use in weather and climate monitoring and forecasting as part of the Global Climate Observing System.

Commenting at the signing of the Rescue-Pac agreement in Wellington, Dr. Mike Cherrett, Deputy British High Commissioner, said, "The upgrading of weather observation stations in the Pacific is essential in ensuring that meteorological services in Pacific Island states are able to provide services for the safety of their citizens."

"The upgrades will greatly improve forecasting in the region providing better severe weather warnings and preparedness during the cyclone season.
They will also assist in providing more accurate forecasts for airlines operating through the Pacific and with aviation playing such a vital role in Island economies the project will provide major benefits."

John Lumsden, Chief Executive of MetService, said "Governments in the Pacific are extremely concerned about the long term effects of climate change and sea level rise but many lack even the most basic weather observation equipment. With our long-established partnership with the UK Met Office and this additional funding we are now able to do something about that."

Steve Palmer, Met Office UK Technical Co-operation Manager said, "The Met Office UK and MetService New Zealand have a good partnership in providing support to the small island states in the South Pacific. The Rescue-Pac project builds on that and should lead to better understanding of the impacts of climate change and variability on these vulnerable communities."

The British High Commission has contributed $128,000 to purchase equipment while MetService NZ and the UK Met Office provide an additional $456,000 in long-term support for upper air observation at a number of key sites throughout the Pacific including Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Penrhyn in the Cook Islands.

Far North cut off for second night

TVNZ with video.  8 February 2007

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/981684

The northern tip of New Zealand is cut off for a second night after heavy rain wrecked a bridge on the only road in.

Torrential rain caused a section of road on State Highway One north of Te Kao to flood, cutting off people in the top 30-kilometres of New Zealand. Soaked with a 140mm of rain in 24 hours, around 500 residents and tourists north of the bridge were left stranded.

Far North District Council chief executive Clive Manley was optimistic around 66 people would be able to get out by a forest road on Friday night but Transit New Zealand has said that is not possible.

Flooding cuts off Far North,

TV3 Wed, 07 Feb 2007 6:03pm with video

http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/NationalNews/tabid/184/articleID/20592/Default.aspx

Sunny start may give Tauranga its day in the sun

12.02.2007 Bay of Plenty Times  by Lauren Owens

http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3721418&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

 

Watch out Nelson _ Tauranga is coming after your title as the sunshine capital of New Zealand.

 

PICTURE: JIMMY JOE: Tanya Geraghty, Chanelle Kennedy, Aneke Bower and Amelia Scott enjoy the sun at the Mount.

 

The January figures for sunshine hours have revealed that Tauranga outshone Nelson by more than 63 hours last month and was 11 hours ahead of the other traditional sunspot, Blenheim.  Nelson registered a meager 180.6 sunshine hours compared to Blenheim's 232 and Tauranga's 243.6.  However, Tauranga was pushed into second place in the national picture by Kaitaia where 263 hours of sunshine were recorded in January by National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

Brian Monks, MetService weather presentation specialist, said Tauranga managed to avoid a large cloud cover during January.  "The flow during the month of January was more westerly and south-westerly which kept Nelson cloudy but up north managed to keep fine," he said.

Mediator For State Climate Agencies    

16 Feb 2007

http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=359012&catid=16

Canty scorches on hottest day

The Press | Tuesday, 27 February 2007

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/3974995a6530.html

It may have taken until two days before the start of autumn, but summer has finally arrived, with Canterbury recording its highest temperatures of the season yesterday.

 

CATCHING THE SUN: backpackers Matthew Scholes, right, of England, Jamie Munro, of Canada, and Englishmen Rob Sowden and Paul Buttle, obscured, soaked up the heat on the banks of the Avon near Worcester Street yesterday.
DEAN KOZANIC

 

Continuing hot weather prompts fire ban in south

By JARED MORGAN - The Southland Times | Wednesday, 28 February 2007

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/southlandtimes/3976290a6011.html

A total fire ban for Southland and parts of the Clutha district comes into force from 8am today as warm weather and strong winds increase the risk of fire.

BARRY HARCOURT/Southland Times/Image ID 100728 HOT TOPIC: Southland District Council principal fire officer Mike Grant changing the fire danger sign at Lorneville. A complete fire ban comes into force for Southland today.

 

Southern Rural Fire District principal rural fire officer Mike Grant, of Invercargill, said this meant no fires were allowed to be lit in the open. Continued hot and dry conditions throughout the region meant the fire risk was high to very high throughout almost all Southland and similar conditions were forecast to continue pushing the fire danger into the extreme range, Mr Grant said.

Auckland could use a big drink

5:00AM Wednesday February 28, 2007

By Martha McKenzie-Minifie  NZ Herald

 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10426209

Auckland has been hit by drought conditions with just half the normal rainfall levels expected in February, forcing vegetable growers to adopt emergency measures to save their crops. MetService figures show Auckland - which usually has around 80mm of rain in February - has had just 35mm so far.

 

Tinder-dry farms near Muriwai Beach in West Auckland have seen little rain over the summer. Photo / Dean Purcell

 

 

Whangaparaoa Peninsula was the country's driest area during past weeks, with no rain at all since February 7.  Central parts of the North Island were rain-free since February 8.  In the South Island, Nelson Airport topped the list of dry zones, with no rain since February 12. The driest February on record for Auckland was in 2000 when just 8mm of rain was recorded. The wettest February was in 1967 with 232mm of rain.

Autumn rears blustery head

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/1019753

12 March 2007 TVNZ with video

The country looks set to take a hammering this week with MetService warning it may be the windiest so far this year. MetService says rain will move across New Zealand on Monday night and Tuesday, and will be followed by a cold southerly, south-westerly outbreak.

Wind, cold temperatures and further showers are expected to follow for the rest of the working week, bringing an end to the warm sunny weather NZ has enjoyed over the past few days.

Forecast rain not enough to prevent drought

The Dominion Post | Tuesday, 13 March 2007 http://www.stuff.co.nz/3990654a10.html

It began with the coldest December on record - now, after an unusually dry start to the year, it threatens to become the summer of drought.

MIKE HEYDON/Dominion Post

BATH TIME: For Carterton mayor Gary McPhee, the water shortage on his rural property means a walk to the river for a wash. Forecasters say predicted rain will not be enough to cure water shortages in parts of the country.

 

 

MetService issued a forecast yesterday of rain for the whole country. But the heaviest falls were predicted for Bay of Plenty and the West Coast of the South Island - not the arid areas crying out for rain.

Forecasters say the rain predicted for this week will do little to ease the conditions that have led to water restrictions and the prediction of trouble for farmers.

MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said the coming rain would provide "a bit of an interruption" and should pull the Auckland region out of its lengthy dry spell.  But it would not bring much relief to areas such as Wairarapa, where conditions were close to drought levels.

In Wairarapa, where there has been no significant rain since December 8, water tanker companies have received SOS calls day and night from lifestyle-block owners and hobby farmers.  From Waikato as far south as inland Otago, sheep and cattle trying to graze on parched paddocks were being fed limited supplies of silage and hay.

Greater Wellington regional council Wairarapa hydrologist Mike Gordon said river levels were low and restrictions had been imposed for those who siphoned water out to maintain or irrigate their own properties.  A total fire ban has been imposed in Wairarapa and Tararua and fire permits in both regions were now on hold.  As Waikanae River levels continue to fall while consumption remains high, Kapiti Coast District Council has introduced bore water to the town supply for Paraparaumu, Raumati and Waikanae.

Thunderstorms rip through North Island

11:15AM Wednesday March 14, 2007 By Martha McKenzie-Minifie  NZ Herald

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10428697

Four-year-old Elisha Sabin and her home educator, Amanda Logan, get rained on in Hamilton. Photo / Sarah Ivey

 

 

The cleanup is underway across much of the North Island after thunderstorms and squalls ripped through many regions.

Auckland was the hardest hit, with thunder, lightning and squalls in many areas. Winds up to 120 kilometres an hour were recorded in the Hauraki Gulf last night. The Fire Service was called out to lifting roofs in North Shore and Waitakere cities.

But the windy weather is not over yet.  Metservice has warned of widespread gales across the North Island and heavy rain for Buller, northwest Nelson and the lower North Island.

The Whangaparaoa Peninsula was doused with 20mm of rain overnight to Tuesday - 10 times the amount that fell during all of last month.  But locals were still crying out for more.  Silverdale's Anytime Water Supply part-owner Steve Ross said deliveries were still fully booked.

MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said the heaviest overnight rain fell in Taupo, with 29.4mm in the hour to 3am on Tuesday morning. Heavy rain also fell in Hamilton yesterday. Mr McDavitt said 58mm fell at Auckland International Airport overnight to Tuesday, with 49mm at Henderson and 20mm at Whangaparaoa.

Wild weather charges north

TVNZ 15 March 2007 with video

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/1022071

Much of the North Island is being wracked by gale force winds as a front charges its way up New Zealand. Roofs have lifted off homes in the Wellington region and in Porirua gale force winds flattened a two-storey building frame.

Some streets around Petone and Tawa were flooded and at least one roof was damaged in Hawera in Taranaki.  Further up the country a falling tree in Hamilton left a woman with critical head injuries.  Near Tokoroa a stock truck rolled killing several animals.

Wind gusts reportedly hit speeds of 140 kilometres an hour at Manukau Heads near Auckland - and on the other side of the city two container terminals at the Port of Auckland were forced to close due to safety concerns. In the South Island snow fell down to 300 metres near Milford and at least 10 flights in and out of Queenstown Airport were diverted on Wednesday, affecting the travel plans of some 700 people.

The wind follows a night of wild weather on Tuesday when thunderstorms and squalls ripped through many regions in the North Island. Auckland was hardest hit with thunder, lightning and high winds sweeping through the city.

SUMMER'S OVER:

KENT BLECHYNDEN/Dominion Post Thu 15 March 2007

Wellington pedestrians fight the wind and rain while crossing Featherston St yesterday.

 

 

Hamilton couple feel storm's zap

By TIMES REPORTERS - Waikato Times | Wednesday, 14 March 2007

http://www.stuff.co.nz/3992688a6579.html

Temple View residents Crystal and Sam Mann got uncomfortably close to nature last night.  A lightning storm ripped through the area, waking the couple with a huge cracking

"This is the first significant blast of wind this year and may come as a bit of shock," a MetService spokesperson said.

 

PETER DRURY/Waikto Times

Student critical after being crushed by tree in Hamilton

By ANDREW McALLEY - Waikato Times | Thursday, 15 March 2007.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/3993927a10.html

Westport mops up after deluge

NZPA Sunday March 18, 06:32 AM

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/070317/3/6jv.html

Householders in Westport were mopping up after 12 hours of heavy rain caused chaos in the West Coast town ship. Westport fire chief Pat O'Dea said the fire service had a hectic day, pumping out water from houses and preventing it from entering others.

Weather pounds Christchurch

NZPA Sunday March 18, 03:15 PM

By Bruce Russell   http://nz.news.yahoo.com/070318/2/6l6.html

Thunderstorms around Christchurch have caused power outages in several outlying areas this afternoon. A heavy southerly storm swept across the area shortly after 1pm bringing with it heavy rain, thunder, lightning, and in some places hail.

Three outages were reported at quarter to two by power lines company Orion, affecting Hoon Hay, Springston and Rolleston areas. Power is expected to return by 3.45.

Mt Ruapehu lahar heads to the sea

Sunday March 18, 03:33 PM

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/070318/3/6l1.html

A moderate lahar, or mudflow, from Mt Ruapehu's crater lake has gone past the village of Tangiwai and is now on its way to the sea.

The lahar was following the route of the Whangaehu River and had passed the Marae Bridge and was now following the river's path through farmland, he said.

Increased Understanding of Polar Weather

Press release MetService 22 March 2007

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0703/S00055.htm

Meteorologists around the world celebrate 23 March as World Meteorological Day. This marks the anniversary date of the formation of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as part of the United Nations in 1950. This year the theme is "Polar meteorology-understanding Global Impacts" in recognition of the importance of this International Polar Year (IPY) from March 2007 to March 2009, which is cosponsored by WMO and the International Council for Science.

WMO is marking World Meteorological Day with the release of a special brochure.

"The fundamental concept of IPY is an intensive burst of internationally coordinated, interdisciplinary scientific research and observations focused on the Earth's Polar Regions and their far-reaching global effects", commented Mr. Michel Jarraud, the Secretary-General of WMO, in an introduction to this brochure.

The first IPY was held in 1882-1883 and the second in 1932-1933. Fifty years ago (1957-1958) another IPY was combined with an International Geophysical Year and an ozone monitoring network was set up. In the mid 1970s observations from this network showed a growing ozone hole. Subsequent to the ban on emissions of ozone-depleting gases put into effect by the Montreal protocol of 1987, the growth of this hole has been checked. Even so, the ozone hole reached its biggest ever dimensions in September 2006 and, for a few days, ozone-depleted air reached New Zealand bringing us higher than normal UV.

During the last few decades significant changes, such as shrinking sea ice, have been detected in the polar environment. It is hoped that the observations taken during the current IPY will assist scientists and policy makers in meeting the challenges of climate change.

Recently, MetService expanded its existing drifting buoy programme by adding barometers to four buoys deployed in the Southern Ocean, south of 55 south. "This is part of a cooperative venture with the US Global Drifter Centre to seed the Southern Ocean with large numbers of oceanographic weather buoys", commented Paul Reid, Chief Executive of MetService. "These buoys will primarily support a planned upcoming extension to MetService's oceanic forecast area, and also be a contribution to the International Programme for Antarctic buoys and the IPY."

According to Mr. Jarraud, "Meteorology has long been recognized as a paradigm of science without frontiers and polar meteorology is perhaps the ultimate example of this principle."

MORE RAIN TO COME

29-Mar-2007  http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0703/S00069.htm

MetService meteorologists have updated the heavy rain warning for Northland, Auckland and Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty, north Gisborne and for northwest Nelson, and maintain a weather watch on the Mount Taranaki area.

"The reason this rain has lasted so long is because of the large anticyclone over Chatham Islands", commented MetService weather ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "This stationary high-pressure centre is what we call a blocking high. Northern New Zealand is now in the region where subtropical moisture flows down from the northeast."

McDavitt added that in the 24 hours ending 9am Thursday Kaikohe measured 150mm of rain and Kerikeri 268mm. "In these places the average March rainfall is around 100 mm, so they've had much more rain than needed to green the grass."

"Mixed in with the steadier rain we are forecasting some short intense bursts. The heaviest falls are likely to be over the Coromandel and Kaimai ranges tonight and around the Bay of Plenty and north Gisborne area during Friday. Some heavy rain is also expected on the ranges of northwest Nelson through to early Friday morning."

This sort of rain makes driving hazardous because of the water on the road and poor visibility. It is also causing rivers and streams in Northland to rise rapidly.

Floods sweep houses, people away

Thursday, 29 March 2007

By RICHARD EDMONDSON and MICHAEL FIELD - Fairfax Media  http://www.stuff.co.nz/4009894a10.html

Several people and houses have reportedly been swept away in floodwaters, a motel has been buried in a landslide and parts of Whangarei have been evacuated as torrential rain hammers the Far North.

RICHARD EDMONDSON/Northern News RAGING RIVER: Water pours over the bridge near the Kerikeri Stone Store.

 

Up to 450mm of rain - the equivalent of three months worth - fell in just 36 hours over Northland causing chaos and shutting off much of the region through the day.  Hundreds of motorists are stranded by rising water and dozens of others have abandoned their homes to take refuge on higher ground. Police are dealing with a large number of emergency calls throughout Northland but the widespread flooding is hampering rescue efforts.

 

 

 

RICHARD EDMONDSON/Northern News FLOOD DANGER: The historic Kerikeri Stone Store surrounded by water after 245mm of rain - nearly two months' worth - fell in one day in Northland.

 

 

 

Police said several people were reported to have been rescued after being swept up in floodwaters but there was no suggestion of deaths or serious injuries.  Several houses had been inundated by flood waters and police had reports some were swept away.

The Haruru Falls Resort motel, on the banks of the Waitangi River, was one of the worst casualties, hit by both landslides and flooding. Owner Henry Gerritsen said four two-bedroom units were buried under mudslides while several others were filling with water.

Several businesses in Whangarei's Commerce St were evacuated by the Fire Service.  About 100 people have been taken from school buses and tourist buses in the Lemon Hill area near Kawakawa have been taken into the St Johns Ambulance centre in the town due to floods and slips around the road.

 

 FAR NORTH MOPS UP

  http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411365/1042883

30 March 2007   TVNZ with SIX videos

Anxious wait as floodwaters creep up on home

5:00AM Saturday March 31, 2007

By Simon O'Rourke   NZ Herald

  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10431840

 

Carol Brocket woke up to find the stream, normally about 100m away, creeping steadily towards her house. Photo / Sarah Ivey

 

 

Homes, roads, bridges and power throughout the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty survived the latest deluge largely unscathed yesterday, but it was a close call for one Tauranga woman.

Carol Brocket's property at the bottom of Opoti Rd was threatened by a swollen stream, with water spilling over several paddocks toward her home during the day. She woke up to find the stream, normally about 100m away, creeping steadily towards the house. She immediately moved five horses from the farmland. Later in the day the waters were just 20m away from her backyard fence.

Cooling off

The Dominion Post Saturday, 31 March 2007

 htp://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/4011467a6479.html

Summer has staged a late comeback, bathing the Wellington region in unseasonably hot weather.

Temperatures in Upper Hutt soared to 30.3 degrees Celsius yesterday. In Wellington, that Friday evening beer was looking good as the mercury hit 26.3C, compared with an average March temperature of 19.7C.  On the Kapiti Coast, Otaki reached 28.7C while, further north, Wanganui touched 28.4C.

MetService duty forecaster Mads Naeraa said the warm weather was due to a large high, which followed on the tail of the wet front that brought chaos to the upper North Island this week.  He described yesterday in Wellington as perfect. "We don't get weather like this very often, so when we do, we can't complain."

 

IN THE SWIM: Victoria University students, from left, Morgan Coulton, Elle Simms and Sophie Moskowitz take a dip in Wellington Harbour

PHOTO COMPETITION

We are pleased to announce another photo competition.  It is really a way of having fun by seeking examples of wonderful weather shots and sharing them with other enthusiasts.

Conditions Of Entry:

Entry is open to all individuals resident in NZ  (but not the photo judging committee or their immediate family).

SNAP WHAT YOU SEE. Note date and place of the image. Email it to bobmcd@... or post to: "Met Soc competition, unit 5, 53 Hamilton Road, Herne Bay Auckland".

The deadline for entries is 30 June 2008. There is no entry fee.  No more than ten entries accepted per entrant. In return for entering your image for consideration, Met Society reserves the right to put your image (adequately acknowledged) on the http://metsoc.rsnz.org web site.  This means that we ask that you do not transfer publication rights for your entry to any third party until after the competition is finished.  All other rights remain with the contributor.

Have fun and keep checking our web site to see the new entries as they arrive during the four seasons !

Image Content :  

Photos/ images are to be taken in NZ between now and June 2008. Image must be a true reproduction of what the viewer could see in a single frame and not blended, modified or enhanced in any way. Cropping is allowed. If any identifiable people appear in the photos their written permission to submit must be included.   Nothing illegal. 

This time around there are no categories and no theme, but if it isn't related to the weather it will not go far with our judges.

Judging And Prizes

No more than one prize per entrant.
First prize is three years free subscription to Met. Society (value $75).  Second prize is two years subscription (value $50) and third prize one year subscription (value $25). Images will be voted on by a panel of judges consisting of our photo subcommittee plus an independent expert with a professional eye.