NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue

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ModerateAugust 2011 New Zealand Snowfall ( 2011-08-14 )

Widespread snow in both islands caused much disruption: many roads were closed, schools were closed, CBD work was suspended in Christchurch, and power was cut to thousands of homes.

New Zealand

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at New Zealand
Duration:   4  days - 14-17 August
Comments:

Affected LifelineRoads through the central North Island, the Napier-Taupo highway, the Rimutaka Hill Road, SH1 between Kaikoura and Christchurch, and numerous roads throughout Otago were closed; there were no mail deliveries in much of the lower North Island, Otago and Southland.

CommentLow pressure to the east and an anticyclone to the south of the Tasman Sea maintained a very cold southerly flow over most of New Zealand

Canterbury

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Christchurch
Map Location: -43.53112 172.636147
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMuch of Christchurch had 15-25 cm snow

CommentSchools and universities were closed

CommentElective surgery at Christchurch, Burwood and Ashburton hospitals was cancelled

Affected LifelineChristchurch airport was closed due to snow on the morning of 15th August, and the city buses were cancelled

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Banks Peninsula
Map Location: -43.73644 173.024672
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicClose to 1 m of snow across parts of Banks Peninsula

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Port Hills
Map Location: -43.58959 172.69493
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Port Hills had 50 cm snow

Otago

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Otago
Comments:

CommentNZ Post cancelled mail deliveries

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Queenstown
Map Location: -45.041441 168.645105
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMost suburbs had 20 cm snow

Affected LifelineMany roads were impassable, and the Queenstown Airport was closed

CommentSchools and banks were closed

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Dunedin
Map Location: -45.87911 170.502707
Comments:

CommentOutpatient clinics and elective surgery at Dunedin and Waikari hospitals

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Tekapo
Map Location: -43.961067 170.503138
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThere was 30 cm of snow

Wellington

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Wellington
Comments:

CommentWidespread snow was observed in the city, suburbs, and even down to sea-level.

Affected LifelineWainuiomata Hill Rd, Rimutaka Hill Rd, and several roads in Upper Hutt were closed; NZ bus cancelled bus services in the Wellington region; power was out to 11,000 homes in Lower Hutt, 800 homes in Whitemans Valley, and 2800 in Tawa for a few hours on 15 August. Mororists were urged to stay off the roads.

CasualtiesCapital Coast Health and Hutt Valley Health treated a few dozen people for injuries (mostly sprins and strains) sustained from slipping on snow/ice

CommentMany schools, particularly those in the western suburbs were closed on 15 and 16 August.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Wellington International Airport
Map Location: -41.329538 174.805351
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWellington Airport recorded its second coldest day (on 15 August) since the start of records in 1959

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Whitemans Valley
Map Location: -41.168118 175.085216
Comments:

Property DamageThe weight of snow brought down spouting on some houses in Whitemans Valley east of Upper Huttr.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Cook Strait
Map Location: -41.247772 174.473756
Comments:

CommentThe Cook Strait ferries were cancelled on 17 August due to high swells

Tasman-Nelson

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at St Arnaud
Map Location: -41.798181 172.846679
Comments:

Affected LifelineSt Arnaud was isolated with SH 63 closed. SH65 from O'Sullivans Bridge to Springs Junction was also closed

Auckland

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Auckland
Comments:

CommentSnow was observed in the central Auckland, and Clevedon, Flat Bush, Pukekohe, and the Waitakeres.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Auckland
Comments:

CommentStrong winds brought down trees and toppled power lines. Five people were treated in hospital for wind-related injuries.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Auckland Airport
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAuckland Airport recorded its coldest day (on 15 August)

Taranaki

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Taranaki
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe power was cut to 3300 homes in Taranaki

CommentSnow was observed in Stratford and Hawera

References

Headline: Worst over but snow could hit hills.
www.stuff.co.nz, 16 August 2011, 8:33am .
Headline: Snow blows in.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 14 August 2011, 4:56pm .
Headline: Wellingtons once in a lifetime polar blast.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 15 August 2011, 7:56pm.
Headline: Another three days of snow for Wellington.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 15 August 2011, 9:53am.
Headline: Snow forces Wellington schools to close.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 15 August 2011, 12:27pm.
Headline: Wellingtons second coldest day.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 16 August 2011, 3:04pm.
Headline: Snow Latest key information Tuesday.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 16 August 2011, 7:13pm.
Headline: Wellington snow most severe since 1976.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 16 August 2011, 5:00am.
Headline: Fourth day of snow.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 17 August 2011, 5:00am.
Headline: From big chill to big thaw.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Manawatu Standard, 16 August 2011, 8:25am.
Headline: Snow in Square temperature drops.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Manawatu Standard, 16 August 2011, 12:00pm.
Headline: Country blasted by super cold snap.
www.stuff.co.nz, 15 August 2011, 00:18am.
Headline: Major weather disruption around NZ.
www.stuff.co.nz, 15 August 2011, 7:51pm.
Headline: Snow What you need to know.
www.stuff.co.nz, 15 August 2011, 5:12pm.
Headline: Black ice a risk as weather eases.
www.stuff.co.nz, 17 August 2011, 5:58pm.
Headline: Snow closes Nelson roads.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Nelson Mail, 15 August 2011, 5:05pm.
Headline: Warnings as polar blast hits country.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Southland Times, 13 August 2011, 5:00am.
Headline: South gets snowed under.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Southland Times, 16 August 2011, 5:00am.
Headline: Taranaki under snow.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 2011, 8:01am.
Headline: Snow showers will ease tomorrow.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 16 August 2011, 2:58pm.
Headline: Ice likely as snowfalls go inland.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 17 August 2011, 12:41pm.
Headline: Tekapo buried in snow.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Timaru Herald, 16 August 2011, 10:27am.

ModerateAugust 2011 New Zealand Snowfall ( 2011-08-14 )

Widespread snow in both islands caused much disruption: many roads were closed, schools were closed, CBD work was suspended in Christchurch, and power was cut to thousands of homes.

New Zealand

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at New Zealand
Duration:   4  days - 14-17 August
Comments:

Affected LifelineRoads through the central North Island, the Napier-Taupo highway, the Rimutaka Hill Road, SH1 between Kaikoura and Christchurch, and numerous roads throughout Otago were closed; there were no mail deliveries in much of the lower North Island, Otago and Southland.

CommentLow pressure to the east and an anticyclone to the south of the Tasman Sea maintained a very cold southerly flow over most of New Zealand

Canterbury

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Christchurch
Map Location: -43.53112 172.636147
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMuch of Christchurch had 15-25 cm snow

CommentSchools and universities were closed

CommentElective surgery at Christchurch, Burwood and Ashburton hospitals was cancelled

Affected LifelineChristchurch airport was closed due to snow on the morning of 15th August, and the city buses were cancelled

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Banks Peninsula
Map Location: -43.73644 173.024672
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicClose to 1 m of snow across parts of Banks Peninsula

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Port Hills
Map Location: -43.58959 172.69493
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Port Hills had 50 cm snow

Otago

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Otago
Comments:

CommentNZ Post cancelled mail deliveries

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Queenstown
Map Location: -45.041441 168.645105
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMost suburbs had 20 cm snow

Affected LifelineMany roads were impassable, and the Queenstown Airport was closed

CommentSchools and banks were closed

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Dunedin
Map Location: -45.87911 170.502707
Comments:

CommentOutpatient clinics and elective surgery at Dunedin and Waikari hospitals

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Tekapo
Map Location: -43.961067 170.503138
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThere was 30 cm of snow

Wellington

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Wellington
Comments:

CommentWidespread snow was observed in the city, suburbs, and even down to sea-level.

Affected LifelineWainuiomata Hill Rd, Rimutaka Hill Rd, and several roads in Upper Hutt were closed; NZ bus cancelled bus services in the Wellington region; power was out to 11,000 homes in Lower Hutt, 800 homes in Whitemans Valley, and 2800 in Tawa for a few hours on 15 August. Mororists were urged to stay off the roads.

CasualtiesCapital Coast Health and Hutt Valley Health treated a few dozen people for injuries (mostly sprins and strains) sustained from slipping on snow/ice

CommentMany schools, particularly those in the western suburbs were closed on 15 and 16 August.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Wellington International Airport
Map Location: -41.329538 174.805351
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWellington Airport recorded its second coldest day (on 15 August) since the start of records in 1959

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Whitemans Valley
Map Location: -41.168118 175.085216
Comments:

Property DamageThe weight of snow brought down spouting on some houses in Whitemans Valley east of Upper Huttr.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Cook Strait
Map Location: -41.247772 174.473756
Comments:

CommentThe Cook Strait ferries were cancelled on 17 August due to high swells

Tasman-Nelson

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at St Arnaud
Map Location: -41.798181 172.846679
Comments:

Affected LifelineSt Arnaud was isolated with SH 63 closed. SH65 from O'Sullivans Bridge to Springs Junction was also closed

Auckland

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Auckland
Comments:

CommentSnow was observed in the central Auckland, and Clevedon, Flat Bush, Pukekohe, and the Waitakeres.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Auckland
Comments:

CommentStrong winds brought down trees and toppled power lines. Five people were treated in hospital for wind-related injuries.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Auckland Airport
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAuckland Airport recorded its coldest day (on 15 August)

Taranaki

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Taranaki
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe power was cut to 3300 homes in Taranaki

CommentSnow was observed in Stratford and Hawera

References

Headline: Worst over but snow could hit hills.
www.stuff.co.nz, 16 August 2011, 8:33am .
Headline: Snow blows in.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 14 August 2011, 4:56pm .
Headline: Wellingtons once in a lifetime polar blast.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 15 August 2011, 7:56pm.
Headline: Another three days of snow for Wellington.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 15 August 2011, 9:53am.
Headline: Snow forces Wellington schools to close.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 15 August 2011, 12:27pm.
Headline: Wellingtons second coldest day.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 16 August 2011, 3:04pm.
Headline: Snow Latest key information Tuesday.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 16 August 2011, 7:13pm.
Headline: Wellington snow most severe since 1976.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 16 August 2011, 5:00am.
Headline: Fourth day of snow.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 17 August 2011, 5:00am.
Headline: From big chill to big thaw.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Manawatu Standard, 16 August 2011, 8:25am.
Headline: Snow in Square temperature drops.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Manawatu Standard, 16 August 2011, 12:00pm.
Headline: Country blasted by super cold snap.
www.stuff.co.nz, 15 August 2011, 00:18am.
Headline: Major weather disruption around NZ.
www.stuff.co.nz, 15 August 2011, 7:51pm.
Headline: Snow What you need to know.
www.stuff.co.nz, 15 August 2011, 5:12pm.
Headline: Black ice a risk as weather eases.
www.stuff.co.nz, 17 August 2011, 5:58pm.
Headline: Snow closes Nelson roads.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Nelson Mail, 15 August 2011, 5:05pm.
Headline: Warnings as polar blast hits country.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Southland Times, 13 August 2011, 5:00am.
Headline: South gets snowed under.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Southland Times, 16 August 2011, 5:00am.
Headline: Taranaki under snow.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 2011, 8:01am.
Headline: Snow showers will ease tomorrow.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 16 August 2011, 2:58pm.
Headline: Ice likely as snowfalls go inland.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 17 August 2011, 12:41pm.
Headline: Tekapo buried in snow.
www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Timaru Herald, 16 August 2011, 10:27am.