NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
January 2008 Lower North Island Ex-tropical Cyclone Funa ( 2008-01-20 )
The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Funa brought high winds and heavy rain to the North Island, particularly the lower North Island, and also the northern South Island. Power cuts occurred and the combination of gales and high temperatures caused multiple scrub fires in the lower North Island.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 20th to the 22nd of January.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 12:03 pm 21-Jan-2008: Potentially damaging winds over central parts of New Zealand on the 22nd. Winds have the potential to cause damage to trees and powerlines, lift roofs and make drving hazardous. Includes STRONG WIND WARNING for: Taranaki, Hawkes Bay south of Hastings, Kapiti Coast, Nelson and Canterbury north of Waipara.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:26 am 22-Jan-2008: Hawkes Bay south of Hastings, Wairarapa including Tararua and Nelson: Gusts up to 120k/h now expected.
MetService STRONG WIND WARNINGS lifted at 6:29pm on 22nd for: Taranaki, Nelson and North Canterbury.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:59 pm 22-Jan-2008: Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa south of Hastings to about Castle Point: Gusts up to 130k/h now expected.
MetService STRONG WIND WARNINGS lifted at 8:59pm on 22nd for: Kapitit Coast, Wellington and outer sounds.
MetService STRONG WIND WARNINGS lifted at 7:07am on 23rd for: Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa south of Hastings to about Castle Point.
The tail-end of Tropical Cyclone Funa. On the 20th, the cyclone began to affect the Far North, as an easterly flow increased over North Island. On the 21st, Funa moved south-west into the north Tasman Sea, resulting in a north to north-east flow spreading over New Zealand. Heavy rain and gales continued to lash the Far North and rain spread to other areas exposed to the north. During the 22nd, the low moved onto the South Island and combined with a cold front moving onto the island. The focus moved onto central New Zealand, with heavy rain in some exposed areas and gale northerlies. The low moved to the south-east by evening on the 22nd and conditions eased.
North Island
High Wind / Gust
at
North Island
Severe winds were experienced on the 22nd.
Power was cut to 16,000 lower North Island homes and businesses (in Taranaki, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and Wairarapa) during the day on the 22nd. Most of the powercuts were caused by trees or broken branches falling on powerlines. That night about 5,000 PowerCo customers in Taranaki, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and Wairarapa were still affected. 500 consumers were still without power on the morning of the 23rd.
Roofs were lifted.
Gales combined with high temperatures to fell powerlines and trees and fuel scrub fires.
Many fires were caused by collapsed or damaged powerlines igniting scrub. Fire services had about 150 calls about fallen powerlines sparking fires.
South Island
Heavy Rain
at
South Island
Heavy rain lashed the northern South Island and areas about and west of the Southern Alps on the 22nd.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
Rain became heavy in Northland on the 20th.
High Wind / Gust
Gales were experienced in exposed places.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles recorded 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain from the 20th to the 22nd.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Haparapara River
Haparapara recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain from the 20th to the 22nd.
Hawke's Bay
High Wind / Gust
at
Hawke's Bay
High winds damaged power lines on the 22nd, causing power outages to 3691 customers in parts of Poukawa, Paki Paki, Patoka, Frimley, Pakowhai, Whirinaki, Tangoio and Awapawanui.
From midday, fire crews throughout region attended a handful of roadside fires believed to have been caused by fallen power lines. Many of the fires could have been spread by hot embers blowing in wind.
Gusts of up to 130 km/hr hit Hawke's Bay on the 22nd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Napier
Napier airport recorded severe north-west gales of up to 96 km/hr between 5pm and 6pm on the 22nd.
A small fire broke out on Kennedy Road, Napier, at 5.45pm but was quickly brought under control.
Multi Hazard
A maximum day temperature of 32C was recorded.
High Wind / Gust
at
Pakipaki
At Pakipaki, a 20m by 5m fire was caused by a large poplar tree coming down at 12.22pm, taking out powerlines and a power pole.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wanstead
A fire started along Porangahau Road by Wanstead at 1pm, and spread to 250m^2.
Taranaki
High Wind / Gust
at
New Plymouth
New Plymouth recorded wind gusts of up to 41 knots (76 km/hr) on the 22nd.
Manawatu-Wanganui
High Wind / Gust
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
Fire were started in Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe and Fielding.
High Wind / Gust
at
Bulls
A scrub fire at Bulls started at 3pm and was spread into a pine plantation on Brandon Hall Road by a burning hay bale blown by the wind. The fire also burnt a barn. 40 firefighters and four helicopters were involved in fighting the fire, and were still at the fire on the morning of the 23rd. This was the largest fire that occurred.
High Wind / Gust
at
Palmerston North
There was a fire on Titirangi Drive in Palmerston North. Firefighters were still at the fire the next morning.
Palmerston North recorded wind gusts of up to 46 knots (85 km/hr) on the 22nd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waiouru
South of Waiouru, power lines came down at about 1:20pm, setting a four-hectare pine plantation alight near State Highway 1.
Wellington
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington
In the Wairarapa three scrub fires started.
Gusts of up to 130 km/hr hit Wairarapa on the 22nd.
There were reports of trampolines blowing around and trees falling down.
High Wind / Gust
at
Castlepoint
Castlepoint recorded a wind speed of 158 km/hr from the westerly quarter on the 22nd. This was the highest gust for the month.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaitoke
North of Kaitoke (Upper Hutt) a fire started in manuka forest.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mt Kaukau
Mt Kaukau recorded a wind speed of 143 km/hr from the westerly quarter on the 22nd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington City
At Aotea Quay, a pane of glass blew out of a warehouse, narrowly missing nearby cars.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington International Airport
At Wellington Airport, a flight from Auckland had to be diverted to Christchurch and two flights were cancelled on the 22nd because of high winds.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
at
Little Devil River
Little Devil recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain from the 20th to the 22nd
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
Waiho River
Waiho recorded 227 mm (22.7 cm) of rain from the 20th to the 22nd.
References
- Headline: Cyclone Funa's thrashing tail hits bay.
- www.hbtoday.co.nz, 23 January 2008.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 112, March 2008.
- Headline: Cyclone's last gasp cuts power to thousands.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 23 January 2008.
- Headline: Fading cyclone leaves trail of damage.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Dominion Post, 23 January 2008.
- Headline: Power being restored after gales.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 23 January 2008.
- MetService Email Lists
January 2008 Lower North Island Ex-tropical Cyclone Funa ( 2008-01-20 )
The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Funa brought high winds and heavy rain to the North Island, particularly the lower North Island, and also the northern South Island. Power cuts occurred and the combination of gales and high temperatures caused multiple scrub fires in the lower North Island.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 20th to the 22nd of January.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 12:03 pm 21-Jan-2008: Potentially damaging winds over central parts of New Zealand on the 22nd. Winds have the potential to cause damage to trees and powerlines, lift roofs and make drving hazardous. Includes STRONG WIND WARNING for: Taranaki, Hawkes Bay south of Hastings, Kapiti Coast, Nelson and Canterbury north of Waipara.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:26 am 22-Jan-2008: Hawkes Bay south of Hastings, Wairarapa including Tararua and Nelson: Gusts up to 120k/h now expected.
MetService STRONG WIND WARNINGS lifted at 6:29pm on 22nd for: Taranaki, Nelson and North Canterbury.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:59 pm 22-Jan-2008: Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa south of Hastings to about Castle Point: Gusts up to 130k/h now expected.
MetService STRONG WIND WARNINGS lifted at 8:59pm on 22nd for: Kapitit Coast, Wellington and outer sounds.
MetService STRONG WIND WARNINGS lifted at 7:07am on 23rd for: Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa south of Hastings to about Castle Point.
The tail-end of Tropical Cyclone Funa. On the 20th, the cyclone began to affect the Far North, as an easterly flow increased over North Island. On the 21st, Funa moved south-west into the north Tasman Sea, resulting in a north to north-east flow spreading over New Zealand. Heavy rain and gales continued to lash the Far North and rain spread to other areas exposed to the north. During the 22nd, the low moved onto the South Island and combined with a cold front moving onto the island. The focus moved onto central New Zealand, with heavy rain in some exposed areas and gale northerlies. The low moved to the south-east by evening on the 22nd and conditions eased.
North Island
High Wind / Gust
at
North Island
Severe winds were experienced on the 22nd.
Power was cut to 16,000 lower North Island homes and businesses (in Taranaki, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and Wairarapa) during the day on the 22nd. Most of the powercuts were caused by trees or broken branches falling on powerlines. That night about 5,000 PowerCo customers in Taranaki, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and Wairarapa were still affected. 500 consumers were still without power on the morning of the 23rd.
Roofs were lifted.
Gales combined with high temperatures to fell powerlines and trees and fuel scrub fires.
Many fires were caused by collapsed or damaged powerlines igniting scrub. Fire services had about 150 calls about fallen powerlines sparking fires.
South Island
Heavy Rain
at
South Island
Heavy rain lashed the northern South Island and areas about and west of the Southern Alps on the 22nd.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
Rain became heavy in Northland on the 20th.
High Wind / Gust
Gales were experienced in exposed places.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles recorded 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain from the 20th to the 22nd.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Haparapara River
Haparapara recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain from the 20th to the 22nd.
Hawke's Bay
High Wind / Gust
at
Hawke's Bay
High winds damaged power lines on the 22nd, causing power outages to 3691 customers in parts of Poukawa, Paki Paki, Patoka, Frimley, Pakowhai, Whirinaki, Tangoio and Awapawanui.
From midday, fire crews throughout region attended a handful of roadside fires believed to have been caused by fallen power lines. Many of the fires could have been spread by hot embers blowing in wind.
Gusts of up to 130 km/hr hit Hawke's Bay on the 22nd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Napier
Napier airport recorded severe north-west gales of up to 96 km/hr between 5pm and 6pm on the 22nd.
A small fire broke out on Kennedy Road, Napier, at 5.45pm but was quickly brought under control.
Multi Hazard
A maximum day temperature of 32C was recorded.
High Wind / Gust
at
Pakipaki
At Pakipaki, a 20m by 5m fire was caused by a large poplar tree coming down at 12.22pm, taking out powerlines and a power pole.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wanstead
A fire started along Porangahau Road by Wanstead at 1pm, and spread to 250m^2.
Taranaki
High Wind / Gust
at
New Plymouth
New Plymouth recorded wind gusts of up to 41 knots (76 km/hr) on the 22nd.
Manawatu-Wanganui
High Wind / Gust
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
Fire were started in Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe and Fielding.
High Wind / Gust
at
Bulls
A scrub fire at Bulls started at 3pm and was spread into a pine plantation on Brandon Hall Road by a burning hay bale blown by the wind. The fire also burnt a barn. 40 firefighters and four helicopters were involved in fighting the fire, and were still at the fire on the morning of the 23rd. This was the largest fire that occurred.
High Wind / Gust
at
Palmerston North
There was a fire on Titirangi Drive in Palmerston North. Firefighters were still at the fire the next morning.
Palmerston North recorded wind gusts of up to 46 knots (85 km/hr) on the 22nd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waiouru
South of Waiouru, power lines came down at about 1:20pm, setting a four-hectare pine plantation alight near State Highway 1.
Wellington
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington
In the Wairarapa three scrub fires started.
Gusts of up to 130 km/hr hit Wairarapa on the 22nd.
There were reports of trampolines blowing around and trees falling down.
High Wind / Gust
at
Castlepoint
Castlepoint recorded a wind speed of 158 km/hr from the westerly quarter on the 22nd. This was the highest gust for the month.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaitoke
North of Kaitoke (Upper Hutt) a fire started in manuka forest.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mt Kaukau
Mt Kaukau recorded a wind speed of 143 km/hr from the westerly quarter on the 22nd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington City
At Aotea Quay, a pane of glass blew out of a warehouse, narrowly missing nearby cars.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington International Airport
At Wellington Airport, a flight from Auckland had to be diverted to Christchurch and two flights were cancelled on the 22nd because of high winds.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
at
Little Devil River
Little Devil recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain from the 20th to the 22nd
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
Waiho River
Waiho recorded 227 mm (22.7 cm) of rain from the 20th to the 22nd.
References
- Headline: Cyclone Funa's thrashing tail hits bay.
- www.hbtoday.co.nz, 23 January 2008.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 112, March 2008.
- Headline: Cyclone's last gasp cuts power to thousands.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 23 January 2008.
- Headline: Fading cyclone leaves trail of damage.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Dominion Post, 23 January 2008.
- Headline: Power being restored after gales.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 23 January 2008.
- MetService Email Lists