NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue

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July 1908 South Island Snow and Thaw ( 1908-07-14 )

There were heavy snowfalls in the South Island high country, followed by thaws and minor flooding. There were record snowfalls in the Mackenzie country and also a thunderstorm with hail in Wellington.

New Zealand

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at New Zealand
Duration:   16  days - From the 14th till the 24th of July.
Comments:
Multi HazardMulti Hazard at South Island
Comments:

CommentVessels travelling between Wellington and Lyttelton on the 16th experienced a hard southerly gale with a high head sea and snow, hail and rain squalls.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice
Comments:

Affected LifelineCommunication between Naseby and Ranfurly was partially restored on the 22nd.

Auckland

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Auckland
Comments:

ImpactThere had not been any mail south via the West Cost since the 16th.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Manukau Entrance
Map Location: -37.041614 174.532189
Comments:

ImpactThe Manukau bar was unable to be crossed on the 17th, delaying ships from leaving.

Wellington

LightningLightning at Wellington City
Map Location: -41.28855 174.776764
Comments:

CommentA thunderstorm passed over the town on the night of the 24th.

HailHail
Comments:

CommentHeavy hail fell at 10pm freezing on the ground after it fell.

DurationThe hail fell for about 10 minutes.

CommentThe next morning the ground was covered in a white mantle, like snow. Old residents could not recall such an experience for more than a generation. Hail on the wood blocking did not melt at all and had to be swept away.

DamageAt a property on Willis Street hail penetrated the roof and flooded the house, causing considerable damage to furniture.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactThere were buckets of water in the front rooms of the house.

Marlborough

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Molesworth homestead
Map Location: -42.084775 173.271387
Comments:

Physical Characteristic11 in (28 cm) of snow fell at Molesworth.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Tarnadale homestead
Map Location: -42.187677 172.928597
Comments:

Physical Characteristic14 in (36 cm) of snow fell at Farndale (Tarndale).

Canterbury

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Canterbury
Comments:

CommentThe snow fell very powdery and light and was accompanied by a gale.

Stock DamageThe drifting of the snow on the 14th smothered thousands of sheep. In the Mackenzie country runholders were employing men at great expense to save as many sheep as possible from the snow, but it was said that the loss would run into thousands. In many instances there were literally layers of sheep in the snow, as the stronger ones climbed on top and the weaker ones were smothered. There was likely to be almost a total loss of sheep in some quarters.

Physical CharacteristicOld residents in the Mackenzie country said that the fall of snow was the deepest known for a single fall by about 9 in (22.9 cm). Deeper falls in the aggregate had been experienced (e.g. in 1895) but the depth was from a series of snowstorms. Stationholders said it was the worst snow the Mackenzie country had ever experienced.

Stock DamageIn the back country around Ashburton there were heavy stock losses of sheep. In many places losses were expected to be 50%.

CommentThe Tekapo Valley and all the eastern and southern side and the eastern part of the the Mackenzie Plain were in a very bad state.

CommentThe front ranges around Fairlie and Albury were very heavily snow clad.

Affected LifelineBeyond Burkes Pass the road was marked by the top wire of the fence on each side and the line of telegraph poles. Tracks were attempted to be made with draught horses but the drifting snow soon covered the tracks again.

ImpactOn all sides beyond Burkes Pass the country was one vast expanse of white. From the top of the pass, as far as the eye could see, the Mackenzie country to the foot of the Southern Alps was one huge expanse of white.

CommentWarm rain fell in the Mackenzie country on the 22nd, causing the snow to thaw rapidly.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Burke's Pass
Map Location: -44.089883 170.655807
Comments:

Stock DamageA run near Burke's Pass was said to have lost some 11,000 sheep.

Affected LifelineBeyond Burkes Pass there were only rough tracks made by horses.

Physical CharacteristicThere was 3-4 ft (91 cm-1.2 m) of snow on the pass.

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

CommentThe morning of the 17th broke gloomy and threatening. Snow began to fall at 8:30am.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

CommentThe snow on the 17th was succeeded rapidly by hail and then by rain, accompanied by a strong gale. The rain ceased shortly after noon.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

CommentThe wind continued during the day on the 17th with increasing vigour. By nightfall a heavy southwest squall had set in.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Clarence River
Map Location: -42.353151 172.789399
Comments:

Physical Characteristic15 in (38 cm) of snow fell in the Clarence Valley.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Decanter Bay
Map Location: -43.653645 172.999225
Comments:

DamageThe ketch Lily was damaged in the heavy seas and gale from the afternoon of the 16th through to early morning on the 17th. The ketch was off Decanter Rock, between Little Akaroa and Decanter Bay, when a terrifc squall struck from the southwest at about 2:30pm.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Fairlie
Map Location: -44.10605 170.814496
Comments:

ImpactAll the roads in the Fairlie and Albury districts were full of sheep that had been got of the ranges.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Hakatere
Map Location: -43.616584 171.168641
Comments:

InjuriesSome rabbiters on Hakaterea reached the Grampians badly frostbitten.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Hanmer Springs
Map Location: -42.525185 172.834432
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicHanmer was visited by a succession of frosts, with as much as 18 deg (-7.8 degC) being registered.

CommentThe duck pond at the Hanmer Lodge had a coat of ice so thick that some residents had a hockey match on it.

DamageFour of the high pressure hydrants in the spa grounds burst with the hard frosts.

CommentThe snow in the back country was very thick.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Lake Tekapo
Map Location: -44.002971 170.48393
Comments:

Stock DamageRoudn Lake Tekapo and the Two Thumbs Range and its spurs, matters were very serious and great losses were anticipated.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Lyttelton
Map Location: -43.601111 172.721186
Comments:

CommentThe southerly gale continued at Lyttelton throughout the night of the 16th and increased in force early on the morning of the 17th.

ImpactThe gale delayed shipping.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

CommentHeavy rain began to fall shortly after 6:30am on the 17th and lasted throughout the morning.

HailHail
Comments:

CommentThe rain was varied with hail and sleet squalls.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice
Comments:

CommentThere was a heavy fall of snow on the hills around the harbour.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Orari River
Map Location: -43.856743 170.916861
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAround the back of Mt Peel and the headwaters of the Orari River, the snow was lying 3 ft (91 cm) deep on the flats.

CommentIn many places it was impossible to get to the sheep due to the condition of the snow. There were places where the snow was like powder and was waist deep.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at St. James homestead
Map Location: -42.442286 172.792123
Comments:

Physical Characteristic12 in (30 cm) of snow fell at St. James.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Tasman River
Map Location: -43.778846 170.142183
Comments:

CommentIn the Tasman Valley the snowfall was light.

Otago

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Otago
Comments:

Affected LifelineThere were interruptions on the Otago Central railway line. The line from Oturehua to Ranfurly was impassable due to frozen snow on from the 16th till the 20th. It was impossible to plow after 3pm owing to frost, so little progress could be made. Traffic between Ranfuly and Rough Ridge was cancelled until further notice.

InjuriesMany people were suffering from exposure and perpetual damp.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentA thaw of the snow brought swollen rivers. Several creeks in Central Otago were in high flood on the 22nd.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineFurther slips occurred on the central railway line, blocking traffic.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Alexandra
Map Location: -45.254096 169.375695
Comments:

CommentSnow fell on the mountain tops around Alexandra on the afternoon of the 14th.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

CommentSteady rain fell in Alexandra from the night of the 21st till the morning of the 22nd. A considerable amount of snow was gone from the high country.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe thaw brought watercourses up bank-high and the river rose over 4 ft (1.2 m).

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Cromwell
Map Location: -45.040506 169.202771
Comments:

CommentA heavy thaw set in on the morning of the 21st, and a warm rain commenced in the afternoon and continued until early on the 22nd.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentThe rain brought down a large amount of snow and the rivers in the district were up considerably.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Hyde
Map Location: -45.296085 170.250599
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Hyde on the 14th.

CommentThe river was fairly high, but falling on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Kokonga
Map Location: -45.210004 170.246345
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Kokonga on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Kyeburn
Map Location: -45.146802 170.248348
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Kyeburn on the 14th.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentThe Kyeburn River was fairly high.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Lauder
Map Location: -45.052926 169.675645
Comments:

CommentSnow fell in the Lauder district on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Macraes Flat
Map Location: -45.380855 170.416527
Comments:

ImpactThe Gold and Tungsten mine stopped all work due to the snow, and it was impossible to get supplies in.

Physical CharacteristicThere was 2 ft (61 cm) of snow at the Gold and Tungsten mine and battery, and the high ground to the mine was covered with 3-4 ft (91 cm-1.2 m) of snow.

Physical CharacteristicOnly 1 or 2 in (2.5-5.1 cm) of snow fell at the Golden Point mine.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactSome of the men had a hard struggle to get out of the mine, having to cross Deepdale Creek by hanging from a wire rope to 2 ft (61 cm) above the torrent.

DamageThe rain flooded everything at the Golden Point mine and considerable damage was done. The dip workings were flooded to the top and the water races suffered damage.

CommentSmall depressions in the hillsides became rushing streams.

FloodingFlooding at Maungatua
Map Location: -45.898341 170.15446
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAt a Maungatua property there was 2 ft (61 cm) of water on the afternoon of the 22nd.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Morven Hills station
Map Location: -44.644552 169.510001
Comments:

CommentThe second fall of snow was heavy on many parts of Morven Hills Station.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Mount Pisa station
Map Location: -44.921203 169.253294
Comments:

CommentThe second fall of snow was heavy on many parts of Mount Pisa Station.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Naseby
Map Location: -45.024406 170.137888
Comments:

CommentSnow commenced falling heavily in Naseby early on the morning of the 14th and it was still snowing at 10:50am.

Affected LifelineOn the 18th there was still snow in the streets and partial isolation from the surrounding district, though it was thawing steadily.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

CommentSteady rain fell in Naseby early on the 22nd, which helped to clear the snow.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Old Woman Range
Map Location: -45.251283 169.059265
Comments:

CommentThere was quite a heavy fall of snow on the Old Woman Range on the afternoon of the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Omakau
Map Location: -45.095894 169.603907
Comments:

CommentSnow fell at Omakau on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Oturehua
Map Location: -45.007741 169.916239
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe train from Clyde could not get further than Oturehua due to the snow on the line.

FloodingFlooding at Outram
Map Location: -45.859829 170.220115
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Taieri River rose 3 ft (91 cm) at Outram between 8am and 5pm on the 22nd, with a further rise during the night. It had begun to trickle through the gaps in the upper embankments.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Ranfurly
Map Location: -45.131163 170.112657
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Ranfurly on the 14th.

CommentWhile engines were ploughing through snow on the railway line from Ranfurly on the night of the 18th, the snow was banked up on either side of the line in solid walls 7 ft (2.1 m) high and higher.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Rough Ridge
Map Location: -45.226379 169.858221
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Rough Ridge on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at St Bathans
Map Location: -44.871211 169.812248
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at St Bathans on the 14th.

FloodingFlooding at Taieri Plain
Map Location: -45.88401 170.253762
Comments:

CommentThe Taieri River was bank high again on the 24th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Waipiata
Map Location: -45.181493 170.164292
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Waipiata on the 14th.

Affected LifelineA goods train that left Dunedin on the 16th got blocked by snow a mile beyond Waipiata at 8:55pm, delaying its arrival in Ranfurly.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Wedderburn
Map Location: -45.034156 170.014549
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicFrozen snow 5 ft (1.5 m) deep and in places higher than the funnels of the engines, lay between Wedderburn and Oturehua on the 16th.

CommentThe ground was so hard that it turned the points of the pickaxes of the men trying to clear the line.

Southland

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Gore
Map Location: -46.095878 168.927462
Comments:

CommentHeavy rain set in in Gore on the night of the 21st.

FloodingFlooding at Mataura
Map Location: -46.18797 168.855413
Comments:

Peak River FlowThe flood in the Mataura Borough on the 23rd had a discharge of 570 cumecs (+/- 140). This was the annual maximum flood.

References

Headline: Taieri River in flood.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Bay of Plenty Times, 24 July 1908.
Headline: Flood feared.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Evening Post, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Telegrams.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Hawera and Normanby Star, 23 July 1908.
Headline: The Cromwell district.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: The Mackenzie country.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Otago Central Railway.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Position in Central Otago.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Snow at Christchurch.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Advices from Central Otago.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 29 July 1908.
Headline: Notes from Macraes.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 29 July 1908.
Headline: Thaw in Central Otago, Government grants, Taieri settlers uneasy.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 29 July 1908.
Headline: A ketch in a storm.
The Southland Times, 18 July 1908.
Headline: About the weather: The stormy West Coast.
The Southland Times, 18 July 1908.
Headline: Effects of bad weather.
The Southland Times, 20 July 1908.
Headline: Snowed-up Otago.
The Southland Times, 21 July 1908.
Headline: Snow in Canterbury.
The Southland Times, 22 July 1908.
Headline: The Otago floods.
The Southland Times, 23 July 1908.
Headline: The snow in Canterbury.
The Southland Times, 27 July 1908.
Surface Water Hydrology of the Mataura River Catchment.

July 1908 South Island Snow and Thaw ( 1908-07-14 )

There were heavy snowfalls in the South Island high country, followed by thaws and minor flooding. There were record snowfalls in the Mackenzie country and also a thunderstorm with hail in Wellington.

New Zealand

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at New Zealand
Duration:   16  days - From the 14th till the 24th of July.
Comments:
Multi HazardMulti Hazard at South Island
Comments:

CommentVessels travelling between Wellington and Lyttelton on the 16th experienced a hard southerly gale with a high head sea and snow, hail and rain squalls.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice
Comments:

Affected LifelineCommunication between Naseby and Ranfurly was partially restored on the 22nd.

Auckland

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Auckland
Comments:

ImpactThere had not been any mail south via the West Cost since the 16th.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Manukau Entrance
Map Location: -37.041614 174.532189
Comments:

ImpactThe Manukau bar was unable to be crossed on the 17th, delaying ships from leaving.

Wellington

LightningLightning at Wellington City
Map Location: -41.28855 174.776764
Comments:

CommentA thunderstorm passed over the town on the night of the 24th.

HailHail
Comments:

CommentHeavy hail fell at 10pm freezing on the ground after it fell.

DurationThe hail fell for about 10 minutes.

CommentThe next morning the ground was covered in a white mantle, like snow. Old residents could not recall such an experience for more than a generation. Hail on the wood blocking did not melt at all and had to be swept away.

DamageAt a property on Willis Street hail penetrated the roof and flooded the house, causing considerable damage to furniture.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactThere were buckets of water in the front rooms of the house.

Marlborough

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Molesworth homestead
Map Location: -42.084775 173.271387
Comments:

Physical Characteristic11 in (28 cm) of snow fell at Molesworth.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Tarnadale homestead
Map Location: -42.187677 172.928597
Comments:

Physical Characteristic14 in (36 cm) of snow fell at Farndale (Tarndale).

Canterbury

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Canterbury
Comments:

CommentThe snow fell very powdery and light and was accompanied by a gale.

Stock DamageThe drifting of the snow on the 14th smothered thousands of sheep. In the Mackenzie country runholders were employing men at great expense to save as many sheep as possible from the snow, but it was said that the loss would run into thousands. In many instances there were literally layers of sheep in the snow, as the stronger ones climbed on top and the weaker ones were smothered. There was likely to be almost a total loss of sheep in some quarters.

Physical CharacteristicOld residents in the Mackenzie country said that the fall of snow was the deepest known for a single fall by about 9 in (22.9 cm). Deeper falls in the aggregate had been experienced (e.g. in 1895) but the depth was from a series of snowstorms. Stationholders said it was the worst snow the Mackenzie country had ever experienced.

Stock DamageIn the back country around Ashburton there were heavy stock losses of sheep. In many places losses were expected to be 50%.

CommentThe Tekapo Valley and all the eastern and southern side and the eastern part of the the Mackenzie Plain were in a very bad state.

CommentThe front ranges around Fairlie and Albury were very heavily snow clad.

Affected LifelineBeyond Burkes Pass the road was marked by the top wire of the fence on each side and the line of telegraph poles. Tracks were attempted to be made with draught horses but the drifting snow soon covered the tracks again.

ImpactOn all sides beyond Burkes Pass the country was one vast expanse of white. From the top of the pass, as far as the eye could see, the Mackenzie country to the foot of the Southern Alps was one huge expanse of white.

CommentWarm rain fell in the Mackenzie country on the 22nd, causing the snow to thaw rapidly.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Burke's Pass
Map Location: -44.089883 170.655807
Comments:

Stock DamageA run near Burke's Pass was said to have lost some 11,000 sheep.

Affected LifelineBeyond Burkes Pass there were only rough tracks made by horses.

Physical CharacteristicThere was 3-4 ft (91 cm-1.2 m) of snow on the pass.

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

CommentThe morning of the 17th broke gloomy and threatening. Snow began to fall at 8:30am.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

CommentThe snow on the 17th was succeeded rapidly by hail and then by rain, accompanied by a strong gale. The rain ceased shortly after noon.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

CommentThe wind continued during the day on the 17th with increasing vigour. By nightfall a heavy southwest squall had set in.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Clarence River
Map Location: -42.353151 172.789399
Comments:

Physical Characteristic15 in (38 cm) of snow fell in the Clarence Valley.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal at Decanter Bay
Map Location: -43.653645 172.999225
Comments:

DamageThe ketch Lily was damaged in the heavy seas and gale from the afternoon of the 16th through to early morning on the 17th. The ketch was off Decanter Rock, between Little Akaroa and Decanter Bay, when a terrifc squall struck from the southwest at about 2:30pm.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Fairlie
Map Location: -44.10605 170.814496
Comments:

ImpactAll the roads in the Fairlie and Albury districts were full of sheep that had been got of the ranges.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Hakatere
Map Location: -43.616584 171.168641
Comments:

InjuriesSome rabbiters on Hakaterea reached the Grampians badly frostbitten.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Hanmer Springs
Map Location: -42.525185 172.834432
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicHanmer was visited by a succession of frosts, with as much as 18 deg (-7.8 degC) being registered.

CommentThe duck pond at the Hanmer Lodge had a coat of ice so thick that some residents had a hockey match on it.

DamageFour of the high pressure hydrants in the spa grounds burst with the hard frosts.

CommentThe snow in the back country was very thick.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Lake Tekapo
Map Location: -44.002971 170.48393
Comments:

Stock DamageRoudn Lake Tekapo and the Two Thumbs Range and its spurs, matters were very serious and great losses were anticipated.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Lyttelton
Map Location: -43.601111 172.721186
Comments:

CommentThe southerly gale continued at Lyttelton throughout the night of the 16th and increased in force early on the morning of the 17th.

ImpactThe gale delayed shipping.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

CommentHeavy rain began to fall shortly after 6:30am on the 17th and lasted throughout the morning.

HailHail
Comments:

CommentThe rain was varied with hail and sleet squalls.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice
Comments:

CommentThere was a heavy fall of snow on the hills around the harbour.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Orari River
Map Location: -43.856743 170.916861
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAround the back of Mt Peel and the headwaters of the Orari River, the snow was lying 3 ft (91 cm) deep on the flats.

CommentIn many places it was impossible to get to the sheep due to the condition of the snow. There were places where the snow was like powder and was waist deep.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at St. James homestead
Map Location: -42.442286 172.792123
Comments:

Physical Characteristic12 in (30 cm) of snow fell at St. James.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Tasman River
Map Location: -43.778846 170.142183
Comments:

CommentIn the Tasman Valley the snowfall was light.

Otago

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Otago
Comments:

Affected LifelineThere were interruptions on the Otago Central railway line. The line from Oturehua to Ranfurly was impassable due to frozen snow on from the 16th till the 20th. It was impossible to plow after 3pm owing to frost, so little progress could be made. Traffic between Ranfuly and Rough Ridge was cancelled until further notice.

InjuriesMany people were suffering from exposure and perpetual damp.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentA thaw of the snow brought swollen rivers. Several creeks in Central Otago were in high flood on the 22nd.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineFurther slips occurred on the central railway line, blocking traffic.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Alexandra
Map Location: -45.254096 169.375695
Comments:

CommentSnow fell on the mountain tops around Alexandra on the afternoon of the 14th.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

CommentSteady rain fell in Alexandra from the night of the 21st till the morning of the 22nd. A considerable amount of snow was gone from the high country.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe thaw brought watercourses up bank-high and the river rose over 4 ft (1.2 m).

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Cromwell
Map Location: -45.040506 169.202771
Comments:

CommentA heavy thaw set in on the morning of the 21st, and a warm rain commenced in the afternoon and continued until early on the 22nd.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentThe rain brought down a large amount of snow and the rivers in the district were up considerably.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Hyde
Map Location: -45.296085 170.250599
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Hyde on the 14th.

CommentThe river was fairly high, but falling on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Kokonga
Map Location: -45.210004 170.246345
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Kokonga on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Kyeburn
Map Location: -45.146802 170.248348
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Kyeburn on the 14th.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentThe Kyeburn River was fairly high.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Lauder
Map Location: -45.052926 169.675645
Comments:

CommentSnow fell in the Lauder district on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Macraes Flat
Map Location: -45.380855 170.416527
Comments:

ImpactThe Gold and Tungsten mine stopped all work due to the snow, and it was impossible to get supplies in.

Physical CharacteristicThere was 2 ft (61 cm) of snow at the Gold and Tungsten mine and battery, and the high ground to the mine was covered with 3-4 ft (91 cm-1.2 m) of snow.

Physical CharacteristicOnly 1 or 2 in (2.5-5.1 cm) of snow fell at the Golden Point mine.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactSome of the men had a hard struggle to get out of the mine, having to cross Deepdale Creek by hanging from a wire rope to 2 ft (61 cm) above the torrent.

DamageThe rain flooded everything at the Golden Point mine and considerable damage was done. The dip workings were flooded to the top and the water races suffered damage.

CommentSmall depressions in the hillsides became rushing streams.

FloodingFlooding at Maungatua
Map Location: -45.898341 170.15446
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAt a Maungatua property there was 2 ft (61 cm) of water on the afternoon of the 22nd.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Morven Hills station
Map Location: -44.644552 169.510001
Comments:

CommentThe second fall of snow was heavy on many parts of Morven Hills Station.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Mount Pisa station
Map Location: -44.921203 169.253294
Comments:

CommentThe second fall of snow was heavy on many parts of Mount Pisa Station.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Naseby
Map Location: -45.024406 170.137888
Comments:

CommentSnow commenced falling heavily in Naseby early on the morning of the 14th and it was still snowing at 10:50am.

Affected LifelineOn the 18th there was still snow in the streets and partial isolation from the surrounding district, though it was thawing steadily.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

CommentSteady rain fell in Naseby early on the 22nd, which helped to clear the snow.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Old Woman Range
Map Location: -45.251283 169.059265
Comments:

CommentThere was quite a heavy fall of snow on the Old Woman Range on the afternoon of the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Omakau
Map Location: -45.095894 169.603907
Comments:

CommentSnow fell at Omakau on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Oturehua
Map Location: -45.007741 169.916239
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe train from Clyde could not get further than Oturehua due to the snow on the line.

FloodingFlooding at Outram
Map Location: -45.859829 170.220115
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Taieri River rose 3 ft (91 cm) at Outram between 8am and 5pm on the 22nd, with a further rise during the night. It had begun to trickle through the gaps in the upper embankments.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Ranfurly
Map Location: -45.131163 170.112657
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Ranfurly on the 14th.

CommentWhile engines were ploughing through snow on the railway line from Ranfurly on the night of the 18th, the snow was banked up on either side of the line in solid walls 7 ft (2.1 m) high and higher.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Rough Ridge
Map Location: -45.226379 169.858221
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Rough Ridge on the 14th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at St Bathans
Map Location: -44.871211 169.812248
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at St Bathans on the 14th.

FloodingFlooding at Taieri Plain
Map Location: -45.88401 170.253762
Comments:

CommentThe Taieri River was bank high again on the 24th.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Waipiata
Map Location: -45.181493 170.164292
Comments:

CommentIt was snowing heavily at Waipiata on the 14th.

Affected LifelineA goods train that left Dunedin on the 16th got blocked by snow a mile beyond Waipiata at 8:55pm, delaying its arrival in Ranfurly.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice at Wedderburn
Map Location: -45.034156 170.014549
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicFrozen snow 5 ft (1.5 m) deep and in places higher than the funnels of the engines, lay between Wedderburn and Oturehua on the 16th.

CommentThe ground was so hard that it turned the points of the pickaxes of the men trying to clear the line.

Southland

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Gore
Map Location: -46.095878 168.927462
Comments:

CommentHeavy rain set in in Gore on the night of the 21st.

FloodingFlooding at Mataura
Map Location: -46.18797 168.855413
Comments:

Peak River FlowThe flood in the Mataura Borough on the 23rd had a discharge of 570 cumecs (+/- 140). This was the annual maximum flood.

References

Headline: Taieri River in flood.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Bay of Plenty Times, 24 July 1908.
Headline: Flood feared.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Evening Post, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Telegrams.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Hawera and Normanby Star, 23 July 1908.
Headline: The Cromwell district.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: The Mackenzie country.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Otago Central Railway.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Position in Central Otago.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Snow at Christchurch.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 22 July 1908.
Headline: Advices from Central Otago.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 29 July 1908.
Headline: Notes from Macraes.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 29 July 1908.
Headline: Thaw in Central Otago, Government grants, Taieri settlers uneasy.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Otago Witness, 29 July 1908.
Headline: A ketch in a storm.
The Southland Times, 18 July 1908.
Headline: About the weather: The stormy West Coast.
The Southland Times, 18 July 1908.
Headline: Effects of bad weather.
The Southland Times, 20 July 1908.
Headline: Snowed-up Otago.
The Southland Times, 21 July 1908.
Headline: Snow in Canterbury.
The Southland Times, 22 July 1908.
Headline: The Otago floods.
The Southland Times, 23 July 1908.
Headline: The snow in Canterbury.
The Southland Times, 27 July 1908.
Surface Water Hydrology of the Mataura River Catchment.