NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
July 2017 New Zealand Storm ( 2017-07-12 )
A winter storm moved over New Zealand during the period 12-14 July. The central and lower North Island were the worst affected, with snow, rain and gales.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 12th to the 14th of July.
Insurance claims totalled $10.3 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:51am 12-Jul-2017. SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM FOR CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND A low east of Wairarapa is expected to deepen during today and tomorrow, bringing a period of heavy rain, snow and severe southerly gales to central New Zealand. The heaviest snow is expected about parts of mid and north Canterbury and the Kaikoura District above 400 metres and the central North Island high country above 600 metres with over 20 cm expected in these areas and with lesser amounts below these levels. Also, southerly gales are expected over central New Zealand through to Friday morning with severe gales forecast about the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Kapiti and Taranaki. The strongest winds are forecast from tonight through to Thursday night with gusts of 140 km/h or more, especially about Wellington.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:26pm 12-Jul-2017. SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM FOR CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND A low east of the North Island is expected to deepen further tonight. The low is driving a cold wet southerly flow, bringing heavy rain, snow and severe southerly gales to central New Zealand. The heaviest snow is expected about parts of north Canterbury and the Kaikoura District above 400 metres and the central North Island high country above 600 metres, with over 20 cm expected in these areas and with lesser amounts below these levels. Significant rainfall is also expected about the lower North Island, especially Wairarapa, Wellington, Kapiti and higher parts of Manawatu with up to 170 mm about the hills and ranges, and 70 to 100 mm about lower lying areas of Wairarapa and Wellington. Also, southerly gales will continue to affect central New Zealand until Friday, with severe gales about the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Kapiti and Taranaki. The strongest winds will be tonight and Thursday morning, when gusts of 140 km/h are likely, especially about Wellington.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:27pm 13-Jul-2017. SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM FOR CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND A deep low over the North Island North Island is moving northeast tonight, bringing heavy rain, snow and severe southerly gales to central New Zealand.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:23am 14-Jul-2017. FURTHER SNOW FOR THE CENTRAL PLATEAU AND RANGES OF HAWKES BAY UNTIL LATER THIS AFTERNOON. The strong cold southerly flow over the North Island is forecast to gradually ease today. However, further snow is expected about the Central Plateau and ranges of Hawkes Bay until late this afternoon, with another 10 to 20cm likely above 800 metres and lesser amounts down to 600 metres.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 11:56am 14-Jul-2017. SNOW HAS EASED ABOUT THE CENTRAL PLATEAU AND SHOULD EASE ABOUT THE RANGES OF HAWKES BAY THIS AFTERNOON.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Heavy snow and flooding in the lower and central North Island on 13 July, left 10,000 people without power. The worst affected areas were Wairarapa, Manawatu, Whanganui, Taranaki, Ohakune, Waiouru, Taihape, Raetihi and Marton.
State highways and local roads around the Central Plateau were closed by the heavy snow. These included the Desert Road (SH1), the National Park route (SH4, 46, 47 and 49) and the Napier-Taupo Road (SH5). Police advised people who did not need to travel to postpone their plans.
The New Zealand Transport Agency issued warnings for Central Hawke's Bay roads (State Highway 2 from Waipukurau to Woodville and State Highway 50 from Tikokino to Takapau) due to ice and snow.
Snow / Ice
at
Te Haroto
A group of about 20 motorists who were trapped by the snow on the Napier-Taupo Road broke into a house and sought shelter at Te Haroto, near the summit of the road.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Ruapehu
Accommodation providers in Whakapapa Village and National Park ran low on food supplies, as the snowstorm prevented scheduled food deliveries. So the Ruapehu District Council organised a food convoy from Turangi.
The ski fields on Mt Ruapehu were closed because of blizzard conditions. At least 50cm of snow was expected to fall.
Snow / Ice
at
Ohakune
A welfare centre was set up at the Ruapehu District Council's service centre in Ohakune.
Flooding
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy rain caused surface flooding in Palmerston North, Linton, and Shannon.
Flooding
at
Masterton
Heavy rain in Wairarapa led to flooding in Masterton, where a handful of residents were evacuated from their homes after stormwater drains in the area could not cope with the deluge.
The Masterton Civil Defence said there was widespread surface flooding in the region. It said more rain was expected, but the major rivers in the valley were unlikely to breach their banks.
Flooding
at
Martinborough
State Highway 53 leading to Martinborough was closed, with the bridge over the Ruamahanga river totally washed out.
Multi Hazard
at
Baring Head
Southerly gales peaked at 167 km/h at Baring Head. A 10m wave was recorded in Cook Strait near Baring Head.
Multi Hazard
at
Wellington City
Winds of 151 km/h were recorded in the Wellington suburbs.
Power was out to 3500 homes in Wellington's northern suburbs due to a substation outage.
Wellington City Council said its call centre had been kept busy with numerous calls about trees and branches down on roads, slips and other storm related damage, including reports of roofing iron coming loose on a number of buildings.
Several roads around Wellington were partially blocked or blocked due to slips. The city had 190mm of rain in 24 hours.
Train services on all lines around Wellington were delayed by the weather.
Regional flights in and out of Wellington Airport were disrupted as strong winds hit the airport
The Interislander ferry sailings were suspended from 12-14 July, due to large waves in Cook Strait.
South Island
Snow / Ice
at
South Island
Snow closed SH1 north of Dunedin between Waitati to Pine Hill and major alpine highways including Arthurs and Lewis Passes were also closed. Parts of SH85, 87 and 93 were closed in Otago and Southland. Many other major roads in the south Island were affected by ice.
Snow / Ice
at
Kaikoura
The Inland road Route 70 into Kaikoura was closed due to snow, effectively isolating Kaikoura.
Snow / Ice
at
Dunedin
At least one flight out of Dunedin Airport was cancelled due to the snow.
Police in Dunedin warned motorists of widespread snow, saying road travel should be avoided where possible.
Snow / Ice
at
Mataura
State Highway 93, between Mataura and Clinton, was closed due to the snow.
References
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (http://www.icnz.org.nz/natural-disaster/historical-events)
- 'Worst storm of the year': Snow in Christchurch, Desert Rd closed
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 12 July 2017.
- Headline: Kaikoura isolated as wind threat looms, following day of wild weather across NZ
- www.stuff.co.nz, 12 July 2017.
- Headline: Southland wakes to snow as cold snap arrives
- www.stuff.co.nz, 12 July 2017.
- Headline: Thousands of people still without power overnight
- www.radionz.co.nz, 13 July 2017.
- Headline: Turbulent Thursday: What you need to know.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 13 July 2017.
- Headline: Snow hits Southern Hawke's Bay and Rangitikei, Pahiatua Track blocked.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 13 July 2017.
- Headline: LIVE: Winter storm disruption in central North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 14 July 2017.
- Headline: Group of motorists 'broke into' house to seek shelter on Napier-Taupo Road
- www.stuff.co.nz, 14 July 2017.
July 2017 New Zealand Storm ( 2017-07-12 )
A winter storm moved over New Zealand during the period 12-14 July. The central and lower North Island were the worst affected, with snow, rain and gales.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 12th to the 14th of July.
Insurance claims totalled $10.3 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:51am 12-Jul-2017. SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM FOR CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND A low east of Wairarapa is expected to deepen during today and tomorrow, bringing a period of heavy rain, snow and severe southerly gales to central New Zealand. The heaviest snow is expected about parts of mid and north Canterbury and the Kaikoura District above 400 metres and the central North Island high country above 600 metres with over 20 cm expected in these areas and with lesser amounts below these levels. Also, southerly gales are expected over central New Zealand through to Friday morning with severe gales forecast about the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Kapiti and Taranaki. The strongest winds are forecast from tonight through to Thursday night with gusts of 140 km/h or more, especially about Wellington.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:26pm 12-Jul-2017. SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM FOR CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND A low east of the North Island is expected to deepen further tonight. The low is driving a cold wet southerly flow, bringing heavy rain, snow and severe southerly gales to central New Zealand. The heaviest snow is expected about parts of north Canterbury and the Kaikoura District above 400 metres and the central North Island high country above 600 metres, with over 20 cm expected in these areas and with lesser amounts below these levels. Significant rainfall is also expected about the lower North Island, especially Wairarapa, Wellington, Kapiti and higher parts of Manawatu with up to 170 mm about the hills and ranges, and 70 to 100 mm about lower lying areas of Wairarapa and Wellington. Also, southerly gales will continue to affect central New Zealand until Friday, with severe gales about the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Kapiti and Taranaki. The strongest winds will be tonight and Thursday morning, when gusts of 140 km/h are likely, especially about Wellington.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:27pm 13-Jul-2017. SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM FOR CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND A deep low over the North Island North Island is moving northeast tonight, bringing heavy rain, snow and severe southerly gales to central New Zealand.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:23am 14-Jul-2017. FURTHER SNOW FOR THE CENTRAL PLATEAU AND RANGES OF HAWKES BAY UNTIL LATER THIS AFTERNOON. The strong cold southerly flow over the North Island is forecast to gradually ease today. However, further snow is expected about the Central Plateau and ranges of Hawkes Bay until late this afternoon, with another 10 to 20cm likely above 800 metres and lesser amounts down to 600 metres.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 11:56am 14-Jul-2017. SNOW HAS EASED ABOUT THE CENTRAL PLATEAU AND SHOULD EASE ABOUT THE RANGES OF HAWKES BAY THIS AFTERNOON.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Heavy snow and flooding in the lower and central North Island on 13 July, left 10,000 people without power. The worst affected areas were Wairarapa, Manawatu, Whanganui, Taranaki, Ohakune, Waiouru, Taihape, Raetihi and Marton.
State highways and local roads around the Central Plateau were closed by the heavy snow. These included the Desert Road (SH1), the National Park route (SH4, 46, 47 and 49) and the Napier-Taupo Road (SH5). Police advised people who did not need to travel to postpone their plans.
The New Zealand Transport Agency issued warnings for Central Hawke's Bay roads (State Highway 2 from Waipukurau to Woodville and State Highway 50 from Tikokino to Takapau) due to ice and snow.
Snow / Ice
at
Te Haroto
A group of about 20 motorists who were trapped by the snow on the Napier-Taupo Road broke into a house and sought shelter at Te Haroto, near the summit of the road.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Ruapehu
Accommodation providers in Whakapapa Village and National Park ran low on food supplies, as the snowstorm prevented scheduled food deliveries. So the Ruapehu District Council organised a food convoy from Turangi.
The ski fields on Mt Ruapehu were closed because of blizzard conditions. At least 50cm of snow was expected to fall.
Snow / Ice
at
Ohakune
A welfare centre was set up at the Ruapehu District Council's service centre in Ohakune.
Flooding
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy rain caused surface flooding in Palmerston North, Linton, and Shannon.
Flooding
at
Masterton
Heavy rain in Wairarapa led to flooding in Masterton, where a handful of residents were evacuated from their homes after stormwater drains in the area could not cope with the deluge.
The Masterton Civil Defence said there was widespread surface flooding in the region. It said more rain was expected, but the major rivers in the valley were unlikely to breach their banks.
Flooding
at
Martinborough
State Highway 53 leading to Martinborough was closed, with the bridge over the Ruamahanga river totally washed out.
Multi Hazard
at
Baring Head
Southerly gales peaked at 167 km/h at Baring Head. A 10m wave was recorded in Cook Strait near Baring Head.
Multi Hazard
at
Wellington City
Winds of 151 km/h were recorded in the Wellington suburbs.
Power was out to 3500 homes in Wellington's northern suburbs due to a substation outage.
Wellington City Council said its call centre had been kept busy with numerous calls about trees and branches down on roads, slips and other storm related damage, including reports of roofing iron coming loose on a number of buildings.
Several roads around Wellington were partially blocked or blocked due to slips. The city had 190mm of rain in 24 hours.
Train services on all lines around Wellington were delayed by the weather.
Regional flights in and out of Wellington Airport were disrupted as strong winds hit the airport
The Interislander ferry sailings were suspended from 12-14 July, due to large waves in Cook Strait.
South Island
Snow / Ice
at
South Island
Snow closed SH1 north of Dunedin between Waitati to Pine Hill and major alpine highways including Arthurs and Lewis Passes were also closed. Parts of SH85, 87 and 93 were closed in Otago and Southland. Many other major roads in the south Island were affected by ice.
Snow / Ice
at
Kaikoura
The Inland road Route 70 into Kaikoura was closed due to snow, effectively isolating Kaikoura.
Snow / Ice
at
Dunedin
At least one flight out of Dunedin Airport was cancelled due to the snow.
Police in Dunedin warned motorists of widespread snow, saying road travel should be avoided where possible.
Snow / Ice
at
Mataura
State Highway 93, between Mataura and Clinton, was closed due to the snow.
References
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (http://www.icnz.org.nz/natural-disaster/historical-events)
- 'Worst storm of the year': Snow in Christchurch, Desert Rd closed
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 12 July 2017.
- Headline: Kaikoura isolated as wind threat looms, following day of wild weather across NZ
- www.stuff.co.nz, 12 July 2017.
- Headline: Southland wakes to snow as cold snap arrives
- www.stuff.co.nz, 12 July 2017.
- Headline: Thousands of people still without power overnight
- www.radionz.co.nz, 13 July 2017.
- Headline: Turbulent Thursday: What you need to know.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 13 July 2017.
- Headline: Snow hits Southern Hawke's Bay and Rangitikei, Pahiatua Track blocked.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 13 July 2017.
- Headline: LIVE: Winter storm disruption in central North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 14 July 2017.
- Headline: Group of motorists 'broke into' house to seek shelter on Napier-Taupo Road
- www.stuff.co.nz, 14 July 2017.