NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue

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March 1998 Southern NZ Ex-tropical Cyclone Yali ( 1998-03-28 )

Ex-tropical cyclone Yali brought high winds, heavy rain, high seas and some flooding to all regions in the South Island as well as Wellington. One person was drowned in the sea in Taranaki.

New Zealand

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at New Zealand
Duration:   2  days - From the 28th till the 29th of March.
Comments:

CauseA deep depression, former tropical cyclone "Yali", moved from the Tasman Sea across the South Island, deepening rapidly. On the 28th, Yali accelerated southeast over the central Tasman, entrained in the northwesterly "steering" flow ahead of an approaching trough over Tasmania.

CommentThe storm's main impact was gale force winds, with heavy rain a less important factor.

CommentDue to Yali's fast movement, the worst of the gales and heavy rain was confined to a period of less than 12 hours.

North Island

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at North Island
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Tararuas recorded rainfall totals exceeding 100 mm (10 cm).

South Island

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at South Island
Comments:

Affected LifelineFour Lynx ferry sailings were cancelled.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Affected LifelineTrees blown over by gales closed a major route between Nelson and Picton.

Taranaki

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at New Plymouth
Map Location: -39.051214 174.06972
Comments:

CasualtiesNear New Plymouth, a youth was washed into the sea and drowned.

Wellington

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Wellington
Comments:

Property DamageNortherly gales lifted house roofs.

Affected LifelinePower was cut in some places.

DamageA car was hit by a flying billboard, trees were felled and windows were blown in.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Castlepoint
Map Location: -40.89976 176.221927
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedCastlepoint recorded a peak wind gust of 156 km/hr.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Hataitai
Map Location: -41.301742 174.797423
Comments:

Property DamageThe wind blew roofing off Badminton Hall.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Mt Kaukau
Map Location: -41.231345 174.77761
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedMt Kaukau recorded a peak wind gust of 165 km/hr.

Physical CharacteristicMt Kaukau recorded an average wind speed of 130 km/hr.

FloodingFlooding at Paraparaumu
Map Location: -40.912244 174.986353
Comments:

ImpactIn Paraparaumu house basements were flooded after a sudden deluge of rain.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Seatoun
Map Location: -41.324634 174.830903
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedBeacon Hill, Seatoun, recorded a peak wind gust of 139 km/hr.

FloodingFlooding at Waikanae
Comments:

ImpactIn Waikanae house basements were flooded after a sudden deluge of rain.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Wellington International Airport
Map Location: -41.329538 174.805351
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe high winds disrupted flights at Wellington Airport. Some aircraft were diverted from a dangerous landing in the airport and flights out of Wellington were delayed on the 29th.

Marlborough

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Marlborough
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred in Marlborough.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Raupara
Map Location: -41.472095 173.892695
Comments:

Affected LifelineRapaura Road was closed after trees were blown over by the winds.

Tasman-Nelson

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tasman-Nelson
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicNorthwest Nelson recorded rainfall totals exceeding 100 mm (10 cm).

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred in Nelson.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Ruby Bay
Map Location: -41.2364 173.089628
Comments:

CommentRough seas and a high tide caused sea flooding at Ruby Bay.

West Coast

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at West Coast
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred along the West Coast.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe West Coast recorded rainfall totals exceeding 100 mm (10 cm).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Cropp River
Map Location: -43.078492 171.000521
Comments:

Peak RainfallCropp recorded 267 mm (26.7 cm) of rain - the heaviest rainfall for this event.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Hokitika
Map Location: -42.717176 170.960959
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicHokitika recorded an average wind speed of 65 km/hr - only the second gale averaging 34 knots (63 km/hr) or more in six years.

Peak Wind SpeedHokitika recorded a peak gust of 102 km/hr.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Westport
Map Location: -41.750212 171.582563
Comments:

CommentWestport suffered sea flooding.

Canterbury

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Canterbury
Comments:

Affected LifelineMany inland roads became treacherous for driving.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Banks Peninsula
Map Location: -43.73644 173.024672
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred in Banks Peninsula.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Christchurch
Map Location: -43.53112 172.636147
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred in Christchurch.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Mount Cook Aerodrome
Map Location: -43.76512 170.133516
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedMt Cook Aerodrome recorded a wind gust of 156 km/hr.

Otago

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Dunedin
Map Location: -45.87911 170.502707
Comments:

DamageThe winds whipped up sea waves, which damaged the esplanade in Dunedin.

Southland

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Southland
Comments:

CommentSouthland was hit by severe winds and driving rain on the 29th.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was cut to some areas.

DamageSome roofs were lifted.

Physical CharacteristicWinds averaged between 67 km/hr and 80 km/hr on the afternoon of the 29th, but eased to between 40 km/hr and 55 km/hr by the evening.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentThere was minor flooding in places.

CommentRivers through the region were high but not extreme.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

Physical Characteristic31 mm (3.1 cm) of rain fell in 13 hours from 3am to 11am on the 29th.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Bluff
Map Location: -46.606468 168.332724
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOn the 29th, the sea level at Bluff was 1.65 m above mean sea level.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Gorge Road
Map Location: -46.472166 168.702394
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was lost in Gorge Road at about 1:15pm after trees fell on to power lines.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Invercargill
Map Location: -46.436318 168.35975
Comments:

CommentWaters threatened to top the estuary stopbank, being level with the top of the stopbank at about 3pm. The high water level was caused by a combination of a high spring tide, wind and rain.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal
Comments:

ImpactPaddocks on one farm were flooded as water spilled over low areas of the stopbank and water also gushed through a shed on the stopbank.

Physical CharacteristicOn the 29th, the Invercargill estuary at the Stead Street Bridge recorded a level of 2.51 m above mean sea level. This was the highest level recorded between 1992 and 2002 and was within 0.06 m of the record level. This had an annual return period of 11.2 years.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedInvercargill recorded a peak gust of 111 km/hr on the 29th.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Kennington
Map Location: -46.394023 168.454367
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was lost in Kennington at about 1:15pm after trees fell on to power lines.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Te Peka
Map Location: -46.516234 168.866084
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was lost in Te Peku at about 1:15pm after trees fell on to power lines.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Waituna
Map Location: -46.403863 168.632664
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was lost in Waituna at about 1:15pm after trees fell on to power lines.

References

Bradley, D. (2002). Storm surge and marine inundation. Environment Southland, Invercargill.
Headline: Gales disrupt travel in region.
The Evening Post, March 30 1998.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 73, June 1998.
www.metservice/notable weather events.govt.nz
Headline: Southland feels sting in tropical cyclone's tail.
The Southland Times, 30 March 1998.

March 1998 Southern NZ Ex-tropical Cyclone Yali ( 1998-03-28 )

Ex-tropical cyclone Yali brought high winds, heavy rain, high seas and some flooding to all regions in the South Island as well as Wellington. One person was drowned in the sea in Taranaki.

New Zealand

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at New Zealand
Duration:   2  days - From the 28th till the 29th of March.
Comments:

CauseA deep depression, former tropical cyclone "Yali", moved from the Tasman Sea across the South Island, deepening rapidly. On the 28th, Yali accelerated southeast over the central Tasman, entrained in the northwesterly "steering" flow ahead of an approaching trough over Tasmania.

CommentThe storm's main impact was gale force winds, with heavy rain a less important factor.

CommentDue to Yali's fast movement, the worst of the gales and heavy rain was confined to a period of less than 12 hours.

North Island

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at North Island
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Tararuas recorded rainfall totals exceeding 100 mm (10 cm).

South Island

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at South Island
Comments:

Affected LifelineFour Lynx ferry sailings were cancelled.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Affected LifelineTrees blown over by gales closed a major route between Nelson and Picton.

Taranaki

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at New Plymouth
Map Location: -39.051214 174.06972
Comments:

CasualtiesNear New Plymouth, a youth was washed into the sea and drowned.

Wellington

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Wellington
Comments:

Property DamageNortherly gales lifted house roofs.

Affected LifelinePower was cut in some places.

DamageA car was hit by a flying billboard, trees were felled and windows were blown in.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Castlepoint
Map Location: -40.89976 176.221927
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedCastlepoint recorded a peak wind gust of 156 km/hr.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Hataitai
Map Location: -41.301742 174.797423
Comments:

Property DamageThe wind blew roofing off Badminton Hall.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Mt Kaukau
Map Location: -41.231345 174.77761
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedMt Kaukau recorded a peak wind gust of 165 km/hr.

Physical CharacteristicMt Kaukau recorded an average wind speed of 130 km/hr.

FloodingFlooding at Paraparaumu
Map Location: -40.912244 174.986353
Comments:

ImpactIn Paraparaumu house basements were flooded after a sudden deluge of rain.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Seatoun
Map Location: -41.324634 174.830903
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedBeacon Hill, Seatoun, recorded a peak wind gust of 139 km/hr.

FloodingFlooding at Waikanae
Comments:

ImpactIn Waikanae house basements were flooded after a sudden deluge of rain.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Wellington International Airport
Map Location: -41.329538 174.805351
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe high winds disrupted flights at Wellington Airport. Some aircraft were diverted from a dangerous landing in the airport and flights out of Wellington were delayed on the 29th.

Marlborough

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Marlborough
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred in Marlborough.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Raupara
Map Location: -41.472095 173.892695
Comments:

Affected LifelineRapaura Road was closed after trees were blown over by the winds.

Tasman-Nelson

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tasman-Nelson
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicNorthwest Nelson recorded rainfall totals exceeding 100 mm (10 cm).

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred in Nelson.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Ruby Bay
Map Location: -41.2364 173.089628
Comments:

CommentRough seas and a high tide caused sea flooding at Ruby Bay.

West Coast

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at West Coast
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred along the West Coast.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe West Coast recorded rainfall totals exceeding 100 mm (10 cm).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Cropp River
Map Location: -43.078492 171.000521
Comments:

Peak RainfallCropp recorded 267 mm (26.7 cm) of rain - the heaviest rainfall for this event.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Hokitika
Map Location: -42.717176 170.960959
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicHokitika recorded an average wind speed of 65 km/hr - only the second gale averaging 34 knots (63 km/hr) or more in six years.

Peak Wind SpeedHokitika recorded a peak gust of 102 km/hr.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Westport
Map Location: -41.750212 171.582563
Comments:

CommentWestport suffered sea flooding.

Canterbury

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Canterbury
Comments:

Affected LifelineMany inland roads became treacherous for driving.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Banks Peninsula
Map Location: -43.73644 173.024672
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred in Banks Peninsula.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Christchurch
Map Location: -43.53112 172.636147
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower cuts caused by fallen power lines occurred in Christchurch.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Mount Cook Aerodrome
Map Location: -43.76512 170.133516
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedMt Cook Aerodrome recorded a wind gust of 156 km/hr.

Otago

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Dunedin
Map Location: -45.87911 170.502707
Comments:

DamageThe winds whipped up sea waves, which damaged the esplanade in Dunedin.

Southland

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Southland
Comments:

CommentSouthland was hit by severe winds and driving rain on the 29th.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was cut to some areas.

DamageSome roofs were lifted.

Physical CharacteristicWinds averaged between 67 km/hr and 80 km/hr on the afternoon of the 29th, but eased to between 40 km/hr and 55 km/hr by the evening.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentThere was minor flooding in places.

CommentRivers through the region were high but not extreme.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

Physical Characteristic31 mm (3.1 cm) of rain fell in 13 hours from 3am to 11am on the 29th.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Bluff
Map Location: -46.606468 168.332724
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOn the 29th, the sea level at Bluff was 1.65 m above mean sea level.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Gorge Road
Map Location: -46.472166 168.702394
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was lost in Gorge Road at about 1:15pm after trees fell on to power lines.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Invercargill
Map Location: -46.436318 168.35975
Comments:

CommentWaters threatened to top the estuary stopbank, being level with the top of the stopbank at about 3pm. The high water level was caused by a combination of a high spring tide, wind and rain.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal
Comments:

ImpactPaddocks on one farm were flooded as water spilled over low areas of the stopbank and water also gushed through a shed on the stopbank.

Physical CharacteristicOn the 29th, the Invercargill estuary at the Stead Street Bridge recorded a level of 2.51 m above mean sea level. This was the highest level recorded between 1992 and 2002 and was within 0.06 m of the record level. This had an annual return period of 11.2 years.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedInvercargill recorded a peak gust of 111 km/hr on the 29th.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Kennington
Map Location: -46.394023 168.454367
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was lost in Kennington at about 1:15pm after trees fell on to power lines.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Te Peka
Map Location: -46.516234 168.866084
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was lost in Te Peku at about 1:15pm after trees fell on to power lines.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Waituna
Map Location: -46.403863 168.632664
Comments:

Affected LifelinePower was lost in Waituna at about 1:15pm after trees fell on to power lines.

References

Bradley, D. (2002). Storm surge and marine inundation. Environment Southland, Invercargill.
Headline: Gales disrupt travel in region.
The Evening Post, March 30 1998.
Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 73, June 1998.
www.metservice/notable weather events.govt.nz
Headline: Southland feels sting in tropical cyclone's tail.
The Southland Times, 30 March 1998.