NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
August 1997 Eastern New Zealand Snow
(
1997-08-21
)
50 years
New Zealand
Snow / Ice
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - The weather event lasted from the 21st to the 23rd of August 1997.
A significant cold snap brought snow to low levels in eastern districts, causing havoc on the roads.
The worst affected areas were Banks Peninsula and parts of Canterbury and Northern Hawkes Bay.
On the 21st a low southwest of Chathams which was blocked by a high further to the east, moved back westwards towards the South Island, to maintain the strong, cold southerly flow and snow showers began falling to sea level in Canterbury. On the 22nd New Zealand was dominanted by a low near East Cape. The low remained slow moving with the strong, cold southerly flow continuing to affect the east coast on the 23rd.
Hawke's Bay
Snow / Ice
at
Hawke's Bay
In the northern Hawkes Bay, heavy rain and snow set-in on the 22nd and settled to unusually low levels (around 150 m) on hills and farms near Wairoa.
There were large stock losses.
Lighter snow falls were even noted to sea level.
It was the heaviest snowstorm for 50 years.
Multi Hazard
Most roads east of Ohakune were closed by snow, ice and by slips caused by heavy rain.
The Napier-Taihape road was closed.
Flooding and power cuts also affected northern Hawke's Bay settlements.
Heavy Rain
at
Mahia Peninsula
Mahia Peninsula recorded 54.6 mm (5.46 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
Napier recorded 39.2 mm (3.92 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Pukeorapa homstead
Pukeorapa recorded 245 mm (24.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
The Desert Road was closed by snow on the 22nd.
Canterbury
Snow / Ice
at
Canterbury
Snow fell to sea level in Canterbury.
Snow / Ice
at
Christchurch
Many roads were closed especially on Banks Peninsula and Christchurch.
There were power cuts in some areas.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Dunedin
The northern motorway at Dunedin was closed.
Further snow fall occurred on the 22nd.
References
- www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz
August 1997 Eastern New Zealand Snow
(
1997-08-21
)
50 years
New Zealand
Snow / Ice
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - The weather event lasted from the 21st to the 23rd of August 1997.
A significant cold snap brought snow to low levels in eastern districts, causing havoc on the roads.
The worst affected areas were Banks Peninsula and parts of Canterbury and Northern Hawkes Bay.
On the 21st a low southwest of Chathams which was blocked by a high further to the east, moved back westwards towards the South Island, to maintain the strong, cold southerly flow and snow showers began falling to sea level in Canterbury. On the 22nd New Zealand was dominanted by a low near East Cape. The low remained slow moving with the strong, cold southerly flow continuing to affect the east coast on the 23rd.
Hawke's Bay
Snow / Ice
at
Hawke's Bay
In the northern Hawkes Bay, heavy rain and snow set-in on the 22nd and settled to unusually low levels (around 150 m) on hills and farms near Wairoa.
There were large stock losses.
Lighter snow falls were even noted to sea level.
It was the heaviest snowstorm for 50 years.
Multi Hazard
Most roads east of Ohakune were closed by snow, ice and by slips caused by heavy rain.
The Napier-Taihape road was closed.
Flooding and power cuts also affected northern Hawke's Bay settlements.
Heavy Rain
at
Mahia Peninsula
Mahia Peninsula recorded 54.6 mm (5.46 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
Napier recorded 39.2 mm (3.92 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Pukeorapa homstead
Pukeorapa recorded 245 mm (24.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
The Desert Road was closed by snow on the 22nd.
Canterbury
Snow / Ice
at
Canterbury
Snow fell to sea level in Canterbury.
Snow / Ice
at
Christchurch
Many roads were closed especially on Banks Peninsula and Christchurch.
There were power cuts in some areas.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Dunedin
The northern motorway at Dunedin was closed.
Further snow fall occurred on the 22nd.
References
- www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz