NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
June 2008 South Island Snow and North Island Thunderstorms ( 2008-06-22 )
Six cold fronts in a row brought snow, hail and thunderstorms to the South Island and western North Island.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
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New Zealand
Duration: 8 days - 22nd-29th June.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:16 am 21-Jun-2008: Heavy falls of rain for Bay of Plenty Taranaki and Nelson on Sunday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: northwest Nelson, Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty especially near the Eastern Ranges.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:28 pm 21-Jun-2008: Heavy rain for Bay of Plenty, Mt Taranaki and Northwest Nelson on Sunday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: northwest Nelson, Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:30 am 22-Jun-2008: Further heavy rain for Bay of Plenty, Mt Taranaki and Northwest Nelson until early Monday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: northwest Nelson, Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:47 pm 22-Jun-2008: Rain easing this evening but further bursts of heavy rain for Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty ranges Monday morning. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Bay of Plenty and Mt Taranaki. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for northwest Nelson.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:01 am 23-Jun-2008: Brief heavy rain about Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty ranges this morning. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty ranges.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:53 am 23-Jun-2008: WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy rain warnings have been lifted for Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 12:25 pm 23-Jun-2008: Snow to low levels Tuesday morning in Southland and Otago. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: The hills of Southland and southeast Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:16 pm 23-Jun-2008: Heavy snow to low levels in Southland and Otago, also heavy snow about the central North Island high country. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, southeast Otago, and the central North Island high country south of Taupo.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:15 am 24-Jun-2008: Snow showers to low levels in Southland and Otago this morning and snow developing about the central North Island high country. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, southeast Otago, and the central North Island high country south of Taupo.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:25 am 24-Jun-2008: Snow easing in Southland and Otago, snow developing over central North Island this afternoon, high winds later on Wednesday for parts of Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, southeast Otago, and the central North Island high country south of Taupo and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Hawkes Bay south of Hastings.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:56 pm 24-Jun-2008: Snow showers have eased in Southland and Otago, snow showers affecting the central North Island should ease early Wednesday. High winds later on Wednesday for parts of Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Central North Island as far south as Taihape and as far north as Taupo, also the ranges of Hawkes Bay and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Manawatu, Wellington, Hawkes Bay south of Hastings and Wairarapa including the Tararua District. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warnings lifted for Southland and southeast Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:48 am 25-Jun-2008: High winds later today for parts of Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Wairarapa. Includes STRONG WIND WARNING for: Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warnings lifted for central North Island and the ranges of Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 12:00 pm Wednesday 25 June 2008. This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts: Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wellington, Marlborough and Nelson.
MetService SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 03:30 pm Wednesday 25 June 2008. This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts: Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wellington, Marlborough and Nelson.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:18 pm 25-Jun-2008: Brief spell of high winds about the Takapau Plains area south of Hastings and north of Masterton before midnight Wednesday. Includes STRONG WIND WARNING for: Eastern areas south of Hastings and north of Masterton, especially about the Takapau Plains. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Wellington and Wairarapa south of Masterton.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 6:15 am 26-Jun-2008: Blustery westerlies expected to continue over the southern North island today. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Strong Wind Warnings lifted for eastern areas south of Hastings and north of Masterton, especially about the Takapau Plains.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:15 am 28-Jun-2008: Heavy rain and southerly gales for parts of north Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast, also severe southerly gales for Wellington and coastal Wairarapa. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Canterbury north of about Waipara and the Kaikoura Coast, and STRONG WIND WARNING for: The Kaikoura coast, Wellington and coastal Wairarapa.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:11 pm 28-Jun-2008: Heavy rain and southerly gales in parts of north Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast, also severe gales for Wellington and coastal Wairarapa. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Canterbury north of Culverden and the Kaikoura Coast, and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Banks Peninsula, the Kaikoura coast, Wellington and coastal Wairarapa.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:03 am 29-Jun-2008: Wind and rain easing in north Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast, but severe gale southerlies and further heavy rain for Wellington and Wairarapa until evening. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Wellington and southern Wairarapa, and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Wellington and coastal Wairarapa. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Canterbury north of Culverden and the Kaikoura coast and Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Banks Peninsula and the Kaikoura coast.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:05 pm 29-Jun-2008: Southerly gales and heavy rain in Wellington and southern Wairarapa easing tonight. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Wellington and the hills of southern Wairarapa. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Wellington and coastal Wairarapa.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 6:16 am 30-Jun-2008: Rain and winds have now eased. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Wellington and the hills of southern Wairarapa.
Chilly southerly winds, with thundery rain, sleet, hail and snow moved up New Zealand on 24th.
Six cold fronts moved across the country over a few days. The first front crossed on the 22nd, with an active trough moving across northern and western areas followed by bands of squally and thundery showers. During the 23rd, the trough crossed New Zealand, followed by a colder southwesterly flow. Later in the day and evening more fronts moved onto the South Island and crossed the North Island the next day. On the 25th, westerlies strengethened over New Zealand. Fronts crossed over the country through to the 27th in a continuing strong airfow. During the 27th, a complex low pressure system began forming east of the South Island, turning the flow southerly. By the 28th a deep low had developed to the east. On the 29th, the low moved slowly away to the east and extended a trough back towards the North Island, leaving the cold southerly flow covering the country. The southerly flow eased on the 30th.
Lightning
On the 25th, there were a large number of thunderstorms from Manawatu to Northland and Auckland and over west Nelson and Buller.
More than 20,000 lightning strikes were recorded over the country during the 24 hours to 7:30am on the 26th.
More than 300 lightning strikes were recorded in 1 hour on the morning of the 28th, mostly around Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island.
High Wind / Gust
Gale force winds and heavy rain battered parts of the country on the 29th and caused havoc for travellers.
North Island
Multi Hazard
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North Island
Heavy rain fell in northern and western parts of the North Island on the 22nd.
The Northern Fire Service Communications Centre had up to 30 weather-related calls on the 22nd.
In the North Island, thunder and hail were accompanied by west to southwest gales on the 23rd.
Most of the rain squalls moved up into the Taranaki and Wanganui regions on the night of the 24th, bringing thunder and hail.
Constant thunder and lightning was accompanied by heavy, sudden downpours for most of the North Island on the 25th.
There were reports of slips and debris littering streets.
Heavy squally thunderstorms and hail lashed the north and west of the North Island on the 28th.
Snow / Ice
Snow fell to about 400-500 m in the central North Island on the 23rd.
Heavy snow fell on the Central Plateau overnight on the 28th. Further snow fell in the high country on the 29th.
Heavy now closed roads in the central high country on the 28th.
South Island
Heavy Rain
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South Island
Heavy rain fell in the north of the South Island on the 22nd.
Snow / Ice
Snow fell to low levels in many parts of the South Island from the 23rd.
Snow was falling in inland Southland and Otago on morning of 24th June.
There were icy conditions on South Island roads from the 24th. Widespread road warnings were out for Marlborough, Nelson, Otago and Southland due to ice and grit and some roads were closed.
The cold blast disrupted traffic across the South Island.
Numerous flights around the South Island were subject to lengthy delays.
The conditions forced the suspension of rural schoolbus services throughout Western Southland, Western Otago and the Gore district.
A dusting of snow fell on the hills of Dunedin, Ranfurly, Twizel, Omarama, St Bathans and Queenstown.
Further snow fell on the high country in the north-east of the South Island on the 29th.
Northland
Lightning
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Northland
There was a spectacular lightning storm over Northland, mostly along the western coast.
The storm started about 9pm on the 25th and ran through to almost 3am on the 26th (almost 6 hours).
The storm caused widespread problems on the Northpower electricity lines networks, but no major damage. There were plenty of minor faults and a couple of power poles down. Dargaville and the west coast took much of the power losses, with Whatiri, Ruakaka, Bland Bay and Hikurangi also particularly affected. Some small, isolated areas did not have power fully back on until the afternoon of the 26th.
The storm caused on average 520 lightning flashes an hour, peaking at between 700 and 800.
In the 24 hours to 1pm on the 26th there were 12,502 lightning strikes.
Multi Hazard
The Fire Service had about 20 weather-related call-outs in the upper North Island on the 28th.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
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Auckland
Heavy rain pounded Auckland on the 22nd. The Fire Service dealt with weather-related calls and several alarms calls triggered by the heavy rain. Auckland had heavy rain again on the 24th.
The Auckland region had 158 mm (15.8 cm) of rain in June - 35 percent above the monthly average.
Flooding
The Fire Service dealt with numerous flooding call-outs on the North Shore on the 22nd.
Hail
Auckland was hit by freezing hail storms just before 6pm on the 24th.
High Wind / Gust
Auckland was getting gusts to 120 km/hr on the evening of 24th.
Power outages left around 3,500 homes without power.
Strong winds uprooted trees and brought powerlines down across the greater Auckland area.
Gusts of up to 115 km/hr were recorded within Auckland's suburbs on the 27th.
Winds reached 132 km/hr in parts of Auckland on the night fo the 27th.
Lightning
An Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Auckland on the afternoon of the 24th was shaken by lightning during its descent. Minor damage was done to the plane's nose. Lightning also hit two South American planes as they landed in Auckland. A Lan Chile Airbus jet had a hole punched in its nose. The 300 passengers, flying from Sydney to Santiago via Auckland, were left stranded overnight and the plane was grounded for two days while parts were flown in from South America. An Aerolineas Argentinas plane was also damaged.
A major electrical storm lashed the Auckland region and much of New Zealand on the night of the 25th.
Lightning strikes activated alarms across the greater Auckland area.
Lightning hit a microwave tower in Henderson about 5pm on the 28th, killing radio contact between police officers on the beat and the northern communications centre until about midnight. Dispatching was diverted to Wellington.
Landslide
SH16 on the Kaipara Coast Highway was partially blocked by rocks.
High Wind / Gust
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Auckland Harbour Bridge
On the night of the 24th, police reduced the speed limit on the Auckland Harbour Bridge from 100 km/hr to 60 km/hr due to high winds.
Lightning
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Auckland International Airport
Auckland International Airport was hit by electrical storms overnight between 11pm on the 27th and 2am on the 28th.
Flooding
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Birkenhead
A garage was flooded in Birkenhead on the 22nd.
High Wind / Gust
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Devonport
A Fullers ferry hit the Deonport Wharf when its bow got caught in a strong wind gust not long after 1pm on the 25th. It received a 10 cm hole on its bow. The 120 passengers were transferred to another vessel.
Landslide
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Dome Valley
Some landslips caused traffic delays in the Dome Valley. One slip on the 22nd reduced the road to two lanes.
High Wind / Gust
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Hauraki Gulf
Winds of up to 130 km/hr were recorded in the Hauraki Gulf.
Tornado
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Kumeu
A mini-tornado was blamed for uplifting roof tiles from a house in Kumeu at about 11:30pm on the 25th. The windows shook and the tiles flew off the roof and smashed. Trees, the chicken coop and the swimming pool fence also copped a battering.
High Wind / Gust
High winds just before midnight on the 25th tore the roof off a Boord Rd stable in Kumeu. The whole corrugated iron roof lifted and blew over parked cars to end up resting against a hedge.
In Station Rd in Kumeu, branches from a tree fell on to power lines.
High Wind / Gust
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Manukau Harbour
Winds on the 27th grew so bad that Manukau Harbour and the western gateway of Onehunga Port were closed. The Spirit of Resolution container ship was forced to sail around Cape Reinga to the main Auckland port for the first time in 17 years, putting them a day behind schedule. On the 29th the harbour was blocked by swells up to 6m over the harbour bar. The harbour entrance was shut from the 24th until the 30th. A petroleum tanker, a cement ship and 9 fishing trawlers were stranded in the harbour.
High Wind / Gust
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Manukau Heads
Gusts of up to 130 km/hr were recorded on the Manukau Heads on the 27th.
Maritime / Coastal
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Muriwai Beach
At Muriwai Beach, the stormy weather threatened the lifeguard tower. It was moved to safer ground after seas up to 5 m high washed out the dunes around it.
High Wind / Gust
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Onehunga Wharf
The Spirit of Resolution container ship was forced to sail around Cape Reinga to the main Auckland port for the first time in 17 years, putting them a day behind schedule.
High Wind / Gust
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Otara
A main transmission power line came down over Highbrook Drive in Otara and was hanging around head-level across the road. A large stretch of highway was cordoned off while it was cleared.
High Wind / Gust
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Pakuranga
A fallen tree had to be cleared off the Pakuranga Highway.
High Wind / Gust
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Ranui
A tree fell and smashed through a neighbouring house roof at 9pm on the 25th. The power was disconnected when sparks began flying out of the wiring and the family had to remove to a motel.
Tornado
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Waiuku
Another tornado was reported to have caused similar damage to a house roof in Waiuku.
Waikato
Snow / Ice
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Waikato
On SH1 between Tokoroa and Taupo there were patches of black ice on the 25th.
Lightning
Thunder and lightning in the Waikato began around 11pm on the 25th and continued overnight, waking residents and shaking houses.
1500 lightning strikes were recorded over the Waikato in a 24-hour period from 11pm on the 25th.
An Air New Zealand flight from Sydney to Hamilton was struck by lightning on the nose shortly before landing and was diverted to Auckland about 11pm.
During electric storm on the 26th, at least 6 horses were struck dead by lightning, 5 more ran through fences in fright, 1 was found in a drain and 2 had to be put down with broken legs. Two of the horses killed were worth around $200,000. Several cows were also killed. 3 were electrocuted when a power line was blown down and 2 were struck by lightning.
Another powerful electrical storm ripped through the Waikato at about 8:30am on the 27th.
Landslide
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Awakino
A slip covered both lanes of SH3 at Awakino, but the road remained open.
Lightning
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Buckland
Lightning struck 3 trees in Buckland, tearing off long strips of bark, and damaged a nearby house on the night of the 24th. Windows were smashed and the ceiling in one room was sagging.
Heavy Rain
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Castle Rock
Castle Rock got 53.5 mm (5.35 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6am on the 24th.
Heavy Rain
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Coromandel Range
Over 100 mm (10 cm) of rain fell in parts of the Coromandel Range on the 22nd.
Lightning
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Eureka
A lightning bolt struck a transformer on a Eureka farm property during the storm on the night of the 25th. It fried electrics in two homes, cut the power, and the water supply stopped beause the electric pump was blown. 1 resident's hot water cupboard, its contents and the kitchen were saturated by a leaking hot water pipe. The lightning strike also blew a big chunk out of the corner of her carshed.
Lightning
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Hamilton
The Fire Service attended six false alarms after 3am that were set off by lightning strikes.
Tornado
Several Hamilton residents reported seeing a tornado funnel above the city on the afternoon of the 25th.
High Wind / Gust
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Kaimai Range
High winds and heavy rain made driving difficult over the Kaimai Range on the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
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Kaimai Summit
The Kaimai Summit got 57.5 mm (5.75 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6am on the 24th.
Landslide
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Karangahake Gorge
There were slips in the Karangahake Gorge between Paeroa and Waihi.
Snow / Ice
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National Park
SH47 through National Park was closed by snow overnight on the 24th/25th and reopened late morning. SH4 between National Park and Raetihi was also closed briefly. SH47 was again closed by snow on the 29th.
Heavy Rain
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The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles got 60.5 mm (6.5 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6am on the 24th.
Multi Hazard
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Port Jackson
A man (36 years) was killed after crashing his motorbike around 9:40am on the 28th while crossing a wooden bridge on the Port Jackson Rd near the top of the Coromandel Peninsula. Weather at the time was poor, including heavy rain and cross winds.
Multi Hazard
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Raglan
The storm hit Raglan first. Some mobile phones were not responding to the networks.
Multi Hazard
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Waitahanui
A man (30 years) was killed about 11:30pm on the 28th on SH1 at Waitehanui after being struck by a truck as he was walking home. The truck swerved but was unable to avoid him in treacherous conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
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Bay of Plenty
Heavy rain lashed the Bay of Plenty on the 22nd.
Tornado
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Papamoa Beach
There was a mini-tornado at Papmoa Beach at 10:50am on the 22nd. Three houses in Wairakei Ave received roof damage and outdoor furniture was sent flying. At one house a car was dented, water poured through a light fitting into the lounge, a gazebo flew away and they lost some of their guttering. The tornado came with the noise of "an express train".
High Wind / Gust
Winds of up to 100 km/hr blew in from White Island on the 22nd.
Flooding
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Taneatua
A superette in Taneatua was flooded on the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
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Tauranga
Tauranga received 44 mm (4.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 23rd.
Tauranga received 13.8 mm (1.38 cm) of rain in the hour between 1pm and 2pm on the 22nd.
Flooding
The Fire Service attended several properties around Tauranga affected by minor flooding, including a Subway restaurant in Greerton, on the afternoon of the 22nd. A house in Rimu St in Gate Pa suffered a flooded basement and a leaking chimney.
The heavy downpour around 1pm on the 22nd caused surface flooding outside Tauranga Girls' College on Cameron Rd and along Fraser St.
High Wind / Gust
Winds reached 62 km/hr in Tauranga on the 22nd.
Maritime / Coastal
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Tauranga Harbour
The swell in Tauranga Harbour made for rough seas.
Taranaki
Multi Hazard
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Taranaki
The province was hit by strong winds, freezing temperatures and big swells on the night of the 24th.
Snow / Ice
The snowfall in Taranaki on the 24th was to the lowest altitude in over two years.
Heavy Rain
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Dawson Falls
At least 140 mm (14 cm) of rain fell at Dawson Falls on the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
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Mount Taranaki
Heavy rain lashed Mount Taranaki on the 22nd.
Snow / Ice
At least 5 cm of snow fell on Mount Taranaki on the 24th.
High Wind / Gust
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New Plymouth
In New Plymouth, winds gusted up to 120 km/hr on the 24th.
Landslide
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Urenui
By the 19th August, an Urenui farmer had been waiting seven weeks for a slip to be fixed that washed out half of Mataro Rd, 9km from SH3. Truck drivers refused to drive past the slip, meaning two farms couldn't have their milk or stock collected. There was also another slip which was almost as dangerous.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
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Manawatu-Wanganui
A blanket of snow coated Manawatu as low as Apiti on the night of the 24th.
Heavy Rain
Atrocious weather contributed to a number of mostly minor accidents across Manawatu on the 27th. Police issued a heavy rain warning.
Lightning
A lightning strike hit a southern Rangitikei backyard on the 26th. It set off the burglar alarm, exploded a power plug, killed the phone lines to a big shed, cracked wiring to the play shed and fried all the electrical appliances along one side of the house.
Snow / Ice
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Desert Road
Snow was falling on the Desert Road on the 24th, as the cold snap moved up the country. Snow started to fall on the Desert Road again on the morning of the 28th.
The Desert Road (SH1) between Rangipo and Waiouru was closed on the night of the 24th and reopened the next afternoon. It again became blocked by snow and closed from the night of the 28th until the 30th, with only a brief opening in the afternoon until 5pm on the 29th.
Snow / Ice
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Mount Ruapehu
The Whakapapa and Turoa skifields recorded 25 cm of snow fall overnight (24th/25th) and were closed. Turoa had 166 cm of snow on the 29th and Whakapapa had gone from no snow to 135 cm in 6 days.
Snow / Ice
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Ohakune
Heavy snow shut Ohakune Primary School for the day.
Heavy Rain
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Palmerston North
A mother and 2 teenage sons were treated for bumps and bruises after their family wagon was flipped and landed upside down. The wagon collided with a car at the intersection of Chelwood and Shamrock Streets in Palmerston North at about 8:30am during a heavy downpour with poor visibility.
Snow / Ice
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Raetihi
Around 7 cm of snow was reported on the ground at Raetihi and the morning of the 25th.
Snow / Ice
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Ruapehu District
SH49 between Ohakune and Waiouru was closed on the 25th. All central North Island roads were reopened late morning on the 25th, except the Desert Road. SH49 from Ohakune to Waiouru was also closed from the morning of the 29th until about midday.
SH1 was closed by snow all the way from Rangipo to Taihape on the morning of the 29th. It was reopened between Waiouru and Taihape by midday.
Part of SH4 on the other side of Mount Ruapehu was closed by snow on the morning of the 29th.
Snow / Ice
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Waiouru
About 15 cm of snow settled in Waiouru overnight on the 24th/25th.
Heavier falls in surrounding districts closed off all roads in and out of the town, including SH1 between Waiouru and Taihape. Truckies were stranded throughout the night in Waiouru.
High Wind / Gust
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Wanganui
Gusting winds lifted roofs on the 29th.
There were power cuts in some areas of Wanganui on the 29th.
Wellington
High Wind / Gust
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Wellington
A deep low reached Wellington at around 3am on the 29th.
SH1 north of Wellington was risky due to strong winds on the 29th.
Heavy Rain
Almost 100 mm of rain fell in the hills east of Wellington City on the 29th.
40-50 mm of rain was recorded in Wellington and the Hutt Valley to 5pm on the 29th.
Flooding
Surface flooding hit parts of the Hutt Valley on the 29th.
Flooding
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Camborne
Grays Rd from the junction to Camborne was closed by flooding on the 29th.
Maritime / Coastal
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Cook Strait
Four Interislander ferry crossings were cancelled on the 29th due to winds and ocean swells of up to 7 metres. Two finally left that evening about 1 1/2 hours late. About 900 passengers were affected. Bluebridge cancelled all its (3) sailings on the 29th, about 300 passengers were affected.
Snow / Ice
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Kaitoke
There were patches of ice on the Rimutaka Hill road, especially in the Kaitoke area on the 24th and 25th. Motorists were warned of snow on the evening of 24th.
Heavy Rain
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Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt recorded 99 mm (9.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 29th.
High Wind / Gust
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Mt Kaukau
The stongest recorded wind gust was 148 km/hr on Mt Kaukau at 7am on the 29th.
Landslide
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Paekakariki
Paekakariki Hill Rd was closed by slips on the night of the 29th and remained closed on the 30th.
High Wind / Gust
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Petone
Wind pushed a parked car over a bank on to rocks at the edge of Wellington Harbour near Petone on the afternoon of the 29th. The girl was helped out of the car.
Snow / Ice
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Rimutaka Hill
There was black ice on the Rimutaka Hill Road (SH2) on the morning on the 29th, especially around the summit.
Flooding
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Tawa
Surface flooding was reported on SH1 near Tawa.
High Wind / Gust
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Wellington City
In the port area there were gusts of up to 140 km/hr on the 29th.
Maritime / Coastal
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Wellington Harbour
On the 29th, trains were replaced with buses between Wellington and Upper Hutt because of waves near railway lines beside Wellington Harbour.
High Wind / Gust
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Wellington International Airport
At Wellington International Airport, most Air New Zealand link flights were grounded on the 29th because gusty winds made it unsafe for staff and passengers to be on the tarmac. 25 regional flights in and out of Wellington were cancelled. Up to 1000 passengers were affected.
Marlborough
High Wind / Gust
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Marlborough
Roads in coastal Marlborough were risky due to strong winds on the 29th.
High Wind / Gust
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Tory Channel
At the entrane to Tory Channel there were 70-80 knot (130-148 km/hr) winds and a swell of 4 or 5 m on the 29th.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
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Tasman-Nelson
Heavy rain lashed northwest Nelson on the 22nd.
Snow / Ice
Snow closed SH60 between Riwaka and Takaka on the afternoon of the 25th. It was reopened at 6am on the 25th.
Icy road conditions closed SH63 between Wairau Valley and Kawatiri and SH6 between Kohatu and Kawatiri Junction on the morning of 25th.
The Takaka Hill received a dumping of snow on the 24th.
High Wind / Gust
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Nelson Airport
Air Nelson reported that 42 Air Nelson flights in and out of Wellington were affected, as high winds were a risk to passengers disembarking aircraft.
Snow / Ice
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Port Nelson
Freezing weather may have contributed to the death of a man found on an icy Port Nelson marina boat ramp on the morning of the 25th.
West Coast
Landslide
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Lower Buller Gorge
A large slip came down overnight on SH6, blocking the entire road between Inangahua Junction and Westport. The road was reopened at about 10:15am on 24th.
Snow / Ice
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West Coast
There were light snow falls on the West Coast on the 23rd.
SH6 from Haast to Makarora was closed.
SH73 from Arthur's Pass to Otira was closed.
SH7 from Springs Junction to Reefton was closed.
Canterbury
Multi Hazard
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Canterbury
The storm brought down a number of trees in the Darfield-Rolleston area.
Snow / Ice
Snow was reported on SH7 and SH7A between Springs Junction and Hanmer Springs and on SH73 between Arthur's Pass and Otira.
Snow closed SH7 near Hanmer Springs from the morning of the 25th till the 26th.
SH8 between Omarama and Tarras was affected by snow and ice.
SH73 from Springfield to Arthur's Pass was closed to heavy vehicles on the the night of the 28th because of snow.
High Wind / Gust
Roads in northern Canterbury were risky due to strong winds on the 29th.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain fell from Mid to North Canterbury and the Kaikoura coast in the afternoon and evening of the 28th.
Heavy rain fell in the Hurunui/Kaikoura area on the 29th.
Landslide
SH1 was closed north and south of Cheviot because of slips. Slips partially blocked parts of SH1 in the Ferniehurst and Domett areas.
High Wind / Gust
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Cass Bay
The coastgurard was called to help rescue a yacht that had broken its moorings in Cass Bay on the 29th.
Multi Hazard
at
Christchurch
Just before 11am, hail, rain, thunder and lightning hit Christchurch from the east to the west. Hail and snow were still falling in some areas at midday. Some parts of the city had complete white-out conditions.
The ferocity of the storm was something of a surprise to forecasters.
Temperatures in Christchurch dropped to near zero.
Traffic was slowed.
Lightning
A lightning strike caused a power cut at Ensors Rd railway crossing in Linwood. It caused the barrier arms to drop across the road, disrupting traffic, and all trains had to be stopped.
Flooding
Heavy rain and high tides caused rivers to back up, threatening some homes early on the 29th.
Countless roads and streets had surface water. The Christchurch City Council was busy working through the night (28th/29th) clearing surface flooding. The roads on the Beckenham Loop were closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Christchurch Airport
Christchurch Airport recorded 44 mm (4.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 29th.
Landslide
at
Conway Flat
Rocks and rubble fell onto the road at Conway Flat on the 29th.
Multi Hazard
at
Heathcote Valley
There was a power outage in the Heathcote Valley
Heavy Rain
at
Hurunui
A Hurunui station recorded 56 mm (5.6 cm) of rain on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Le Bons Bay
Le Bons Bay recorded 47 mm (4.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Luke Creek
Luke Creek, in the Kaikoura Ranges, had 96 mm (9.6 cm) in 24 hours.
Landslide
at
Parnassus
Rocks and rubble fell onto the road at Parnassus on the 29th.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Otago
Motorists were told to take extreme care on SH8 between Alexandra and Roxburgh due to snow and ice.
Snow began falling in Otago at about 5am on 24th.
Four schools in West Otago were forced to close. Tapanui Primary, Blue Mountain College (in Tapanui) and Waikoikoi School were closed, as roads were too dangerous for school buses and Heriot Primary was closed due to a power cut.
Almost 18 cm of snow fell in the higher parts of West Otago on the 24th.
Snow closed some of the higher West Otago roads in the Dunrobin, Moa Flat, Hukarere Station and Park Hill areas.
Snow closed SH87 between Outram and Ngapuna on the morning of 25th.
Snow / Ice
at
Alexandra
Overnight and early morning rain in Alexandra gave way to a strong southerly wind, which brought hail and light snow flurries in the morning on the 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Cardrona Ski Field
Cardrona skifield reported 15 cm of snow overnight on 23rd/24th and received 5-10cm of snow on morning of 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Clinton
Up to 3 cm of snow was recorded near Clinton on 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Coronet Peak Ski Field
Coronet Peak Ski Field received 8-15 cm of snow on morning of 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Dunedin
There were light snow falls in the hill suburbs of Dunedin on morning of 24th and sleet showers at Dunedin Airport. Dunedin also had some late snow showers.
Snow / Ice
at
Heriot
Up to 30 cm of snow was recorded around Heriot on the 24th. There was 7 cm of snow in the town and knee-high drifts on Dunrobin Rd, north of Heriot.
On the 24th, Heriot endured strong winds, blizzards and white-out conditions.
Heriot lost power for 2 hours during the morning, which closed businesses and Heriot Primary School.
Snow / Ice
at
Queenstown
In Queenstown, snow settled on the hills in the suburbs of Goldfield Height and Fernhill. It fell sporadically throughout the day in the town centre.
Ice and low snow closed Queenstown Airport on the morning of 24th, affecting more than 350 passengers. The first flight left at 1:45pm.
In Queenstown, snow delayed the opening of schools by an hour.
Snow / Ice
at
Remarkables Ski Field
The Remarkables Ski Field received 5-10cm of snow on morning of 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Swampy Summit
At Swampy Summit the wind chill factor plunged to -20degC.
Snow / Ice
at
Taiaroa Head
At Taiaroa Head the wind chill factor plunged to -8degC.
Snow / Ice
at
Tapanui
Tapanui residents awoke to 5 cm of snow on lawns, with frequent morning flurries.
Southland
Snow / Ice
at
Southland
Southland awoke to temperatures of 1C and some 4cm of snow on 24th.
SH93 between Clinton and Mataura was closed for the morning on 24th due to heavy snow falls and again on the 25th.
Snow settled as low as 200 m in Southland on morning of 24th.
SH94 between Te Anau and Milford was closed by snow from 5pm on the 24th until the 26th. It also had ice on the 28th.
Snow / Ice
at
Gore
Up to 7.5 cm of snow was recorded around Gore on 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Invercargill
There was snow down to sea level in Invercargill on 24th.
Flights coming into Invercargill Airport from Christchurch were subject to lengthy delays on the 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Mid Dome
Up to 10 cm of snow was recorded at Mid Dome on 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Nightcaps
There was a lot of snow on roads between Wreys Bush and Nightcaps.
Snow / Ice
at
Ohai
Ohai was one of the worst hit areas with snow on surrounding roads.
Snow / Ice
at
Wanaka
It snowed around Wanaka on morning of 24th.
References
- Headline: Storm wreaks havoc in Auckland overnight.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: RadioLIVE, 26 June 2008, 7:47am.
- Headline: Roads open as severe weather eases.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: RadioLIVE, 26 June 2008, 8:38am.
- Headline: Rainy weather causing slips across Auckland region.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 26 August 2008, 6:39pm.
- Headline: Wild weather buffets the Bay.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 23 June 2008.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.). (2008). Climate summary for Winter 2008. Newsletter 114, September 2008. 9-10
- Headline: Winter hits with ice and slips.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 24 June 2006, 6:40am.
- Headline: Snow, hail and thunder blast Christchurch.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 24 June 2006, 12:20pm.
- Headline: People urged to be on high alert as strong winds create havoc in the North Island.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 27 June 2008, 22:24.
- Headline: Another 24 hours of wild weather.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 June 2008, 10:40am.
- Headline: Rain causes problems in Chch.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 6:44am.
- Headline: SH1 problems.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 18:08.
- Headline: Zapped! Second storm forecast tonight.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 27 June 2008.
- Headline: First of six cold fronts hits country.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB, 22 June 2008, 10:39am.
- Headline: Whirlwind rips up street as wild weather hits NZ.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 23 June 2008, 1:10pm.
- Headline: Snow, thundery rain and gales sweep country.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 June 2008, 9:11am.
- Headline: Large slip closes SH6.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 June 2008, 3:14pm.
- Headline: Auckland hit by freezing hail storm as wintry weather grips nation.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 June 2008, 6:15pm.
- Headline: Tornadoes are next, forecasters predict.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 25 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Icy weather limits motorists to one route through North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 25 June 2008, 9:00am.
- Headline: Family's misery after tree falls on house.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 26 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Gale force winds close Auckland harbours.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 27 June 2008, 7:48pm.
- Headline: Heavy rain, floods hit Christchurch hard.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 7:44am.
- Headline: Lightning punches hole in plane.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Wild weather continues to batter country.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 29 June 2008, 11:49am.
- Headline: Lightning strike hampers police callouts.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: 30 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Goodbye snow - hello howling gales.
- www.odt.co.nz, Source: Otago Daily Times, 24 June 2008, 1:28pm.
- Headline: Temperatures plunge in 'short, sharp burst'.
- www.odt.co.nz, Source: Otago Daily Times, 25 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Mini-tornado reported.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 22 June 2008, 12:03pm.
- Headline: More flooding predicted for parts of North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 22 June 2008, 5:29pm.
- Headline: Snow in South Island closes schools.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 24 June 2008, 1:44pm.
- Headline: Southerly blast brings snow, closes roads.
- www.radionz.co.nz 25 June 2008, 6:37am.
- Headline: Severe weather warning issued.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 28 June 2008, 6:636am.
- Headline: Snow and ice on a number of roads have prompted warnings from the Automobile Assocoiation and Transit New Zealand.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 28 June 2008, 4:46pm.
- Headline: Snow closes Desert Road.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 28 June 2008, 10:19pm.
- Headline: Snow closures in central North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 11:03am.
- Headline: MetService says heavy rain will continue in Wellington.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 30 June 2008, 6:11am.
- Headline: Winter blast wrapping the country.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 22 June 2008.
- Headline: Drivers urged to take care in winter conditions.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 24 June 2008.
- Headline: Ferry hits Devonport Wharf.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Weather woes continue across NZ.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA in Southland Times, 29 June 2008.
- Headline: More wild weather on the way.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA and Dominion Post, 30 June 2008.
- Headline: Lightning blows out windows.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Franklin County News, 4 July 2008.
- Headline: First of Manawatu's winter snow arrives.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Manawatu Standard, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Heavy rains spark crashes.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Manawatu Standard, 28 June 2008.
- Headline: Weather woes for travellers.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Marlborough Express, 30 June 2008.
- Headline: Wintry blast closes roads.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Nelson Mail and NZPA, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Gales ease but more rain ahead.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Nelson Mail and NZPA, 30 June 2008.
- Headline: Storm wrecks roofs.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Norwest News, 3 July 2008.
- Headline: Storm brings traffic chaos.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 24 June 2008.
- Headline: Weather blamed as man's body found on boat ramp.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 26 June 2008.
- Headline: Rain gives hydro lakes small boost.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press and NZPA, 30 June 2008.
- Headline: Family's road to recovery.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Rangitikei Mail, 9 September 2008.
- Headline: Snow hits the south.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Southland Times, 24 June 2008.
- Headline: Snow, sleet blanket the south.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Southland Times, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Wild weather on the way may spawn twisters.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Call for action on washed-out roadway.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 2008.
- Headline: Icy-cold blast coming.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Waikato Times, 24 June 2008.
- Headline: Storm kills prized horses.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Waikato Times, 27 June 2008.
- Headline: Lightning bolt zaps electrics in Eureka homes.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Waikato Times, 28 June 2008.
- Headline: Wintry blast closes roads, cuts power in Heriot.
- www.theensign.co.nz, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Weather warnings issued for parts of NZ.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: Newstalk ZB, 22 June 2008, 6:44pm.
- Headline: Wintry blast across New Zealand.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 24 June 2008, 4:48pm.
- Headline: Snow blankets roads as winter bites.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 25 June 2008, 6:48am.
- Headline: Major storm lashes Auckland.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News/ Newstalk ZB, 26 June 2008, 7:15am.
- Headline: High winds disrupt travel in capital.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News/ Newstalk ZB, 29 June 2008, 6:25am.
- Headline: Snow closes central NI roads.
- www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz, 26 June 2008.
- Headline: Wild weather lifts roofs, closes roads in region.
- www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz, 30 June 2008.
- MetService Email Lists
June 2008 South Island Snow and North Island Thunderstorms ( 2008-06-22 )
Six cold fronts in a row brought snow, hail and thunderstorms to the South Island and western North Island.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 8 days - 22nd-29th June.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:16 am 21-Jun-2008: Heavy falls of rain for Bay of Plenty Taranaki and Nelson on Sunday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: northwest Nelson, Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty especially near the Eastern Ranges.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:28 pm 21-Jun-2008: Heavy rain for Bay of Plenty, Mt Taranaki and Northwest Nelson on Sunday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: northwest Nelson, Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:30 am 22-Jun-2008: Further heavy rain for Bay of Plenty, Mt Taranaki and Northwest Nelson until early Monday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: northwest Nelson, Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:47 pm 22-Jun-2008: Rain easing this evening but further bursts of heavy rain for Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty ranges Monday morning. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Bay of Plenty and Mt Taranaki. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for northwest Nelson.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:01 am 23-Jun-2008: Brief heavy rain about Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty ranges this morning. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty ranges.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:53 am 23-Jun-2008: WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy rain warnings have been lifted for Mt Taranaki and Bay of Plenty.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 12:25 pm 23-Jun-2008: Snow to low levels Tuesday morning in Southland and Otago. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: The hills of Southland and southeast Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:16 pm 23-Jun-2008: Heavy snow to low levels in Southland and Otago, also heavy snow about the central North Island high country. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, southeast Otago, and the central North Island high country south of Taupo.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:15 am 24-Jun-2008: Snow showers to low levels in Southland and Otago this morning and snow developing about the central North Island high country. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, southeast Otago, and the central North Island high country south of Taupo.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:25 am 24-Jun-2008: Snow easing in Southland and Otago, snow developing over central North Island this afternoon, high winds later on Wednesday for parts of Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, southeast Otago, and the central North Island high country south of Taupo and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Hawkes Bay south of Hastings.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:56 pm 24-Jun-2008: Snow showers have eased in Southland and Otago, snow showers affecting the central North Island should ease early Wednesday. High winds later on Wednesday for parts of Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Central North Island as far south as Taihape and as far north as Taupo, also the ranges of Hawkes Bay and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Manawatu, Wellington, Hawkes Bay south of Hastings and Wairarapa including the Tararua District. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warnings lifted for Southland and southeast Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:48 am 25-Jun-2008: High winds later today for parts of Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Wairarapa. Includes STRONG WIND WARNING for: Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warnings lifted for central North Island and the ranges of Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 12:00 pm Wednesday 25 June 2008. This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts: Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wellington, Marlborough and Nelson.
MetService SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 03:30 pm Wednesday 25 June 2008. This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts: Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wellington, Marlborough and Nelson.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:18 pm 25-Jun-2008: Brief spell of high winds about the Takapau Plains area south of Hastings and north of Masterton before midnight Wednesday. Includes STRONG WIND WARNING for: Eastern areas south of Hastings and north of Masterton, especially about the Takapau Plains. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Wellington and Wairarapa south of Masterton.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 6:15 am 26-Jun-2008: Blustery westerlies expected to continue over the southern North island today. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Strong Wind Warnings lifted for eastern areas south of Hastings and north of Masterton, especially about the Takapau Plains.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:15 am 28-Jun-2008: Heavy rain and southerly gales for parts of north Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast, also severe southerly gales for Wellington and coastal Wairarapa. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Canterbury north of about Waipara and the Kaikoura Coast, and STRONG WIND WARNING for: The Kaikoura coast, Wellington and coastal Wairarapa.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:11 pm 28-Jun-2008: Heavy rain and southerly gales in parts of north Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast, also severe gales for Wellington and coastal Wairarapa. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Canterbury north of Culverden and the Kaikoura Coast, and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Banks Peninsula, the Kaikoura coast, Wellington and coastal Wairarapa.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:03 am 29-Jun-2008: Wind and rain easing in north Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast, but severe gale southerlies and further heavy rain for Wellington and Wairarapa until evening. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Wellington and southern Wairarapa, and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Wellington and coastal Wairarapa. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Canterbury north of Culverden and the Kaikoura coast and Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Banks Peninsula and the Kaikoura coast.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:05 pm 29-Jun-2008: Southerly gales and heavy rain in Wellington and southern Wairarapa easing tonight. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Wellington and the hills of southern Wairarapa. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Wellington and coastal Wairarapa.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 6:16 am 30-Jun-2008: Rain and winds have now eased. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Wellington and the hills of southern Wairarapa.
Chilly southerly winds, with thundery rain, sleet, hail and snow moved up New Zealand on 24th.
Six cold fronts moved across the country over a few days. The first front crossed on the 22nd, with an active trough moving across northern and western areas followed by bands of squally and thundery showers. During the 23rd, the trough crossed New Zealand, followed by a colder southwesterly flow. Later in the day and evening more fronts moved onto the South Island and crossed the North Island the next day. On the 25th, westerlies strengethened over New Zealand. Fronts crossed over the country through to the 27th in a continuing strong airfow. During the 27th, a complex low pressure system began forming east of the South Island, turning the flow southerly. By the 28th a deep low had developed to the east. On the 29th, the low moved slowly away to the east and extended a trough back towards the North Island, leaving the cold southerly flow covering the country. The southerly flow eased on the 30th.
Lightning
On the 25th, there were a large number of thunderstorms from Manawatu to Northland and Auckland and over west Nelson and Buller.
More than 20,000 lightning strikes were recorded over the country during the 24 hours to 7:30am on the 26th.
More than 300 lightning strikes were recorded in 1 hour on the morning of the 28th, mostly around Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island.
High Wind / Gust
Gale force winds and heavy rain battered parts of the country on the 29th and caused havoc for travellers.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Heavy rain fell in northern and western parts of the North Island on the 22nd.
The Northern Fire Service Communications Centre had up to 30 weather-related calls on the 22nd.
In the North Island, thunder and hail were accompanied by west to southwest gales on the 23rd.
Most of the rain squalls moved up into the Taranaki and Wanganui regions on the night of the 24th, bringing thunder and hail.
Constant thunder and lightning was accompanied by heavy, sudden downpours for most of the North Island on the 25th.
There were reports of slips and debris littering streets.
Heavy squally thunderstorms and hail lashed the north and west of the North Island on the 28th.
Snow / Ice
Snow fell to about 400-500 m in the central North Island on the 23rd.
Heavy snow fell on the Central Plateau overnight on the 28th. Further snow fell in the high country on the 29th.
Heavy now closed roads in the central high country on the 28th.
South Island
Heavy Rain
at
South Island
Heavy rain fell in the north of the South Island on the 22nd.
Snow / Ice
Snow fell to low levels in many parts of the South Island from the 23rd.
Snow was falling in inland Southland and Otago on morning of 24th June.
There were icy conditions on South Island roads from the 24th. Widespread road warnings were out for Marlborough, Nelson, Otago and Southland due to ice and grit and some roads were closed.
The cold blast disrupted traffic across the South Island.
Numerous flights around the South Island were subject to lengthy delays.
The conditions forced the suspension of rural schoolbus services throughout Western Southland, Western Otago and the Gore district.
A dusting of snow fell on the hills of Dunedin, Ranfurly, Twizel, Omarama, St Bathans and Queenstown.
Further snow fell on the high country in the north-east of the South Island on the 29th.
Northland
Lightning
at
Northland
There was a spectacular lightning storm over Northland, mostly along the western coast.
The storm started about 9pm on the 25th and ran through to almost 3am on the 26th (almost 6 hours).
The storm caused widespread problems on the Northpower electricity lines networks, but no major damage. There were plenty of minor faults and a couple of power poles down. Dargaville and the west coast took much of the power losses, with Whatiri, Ruakaka, Bland Bay and Hikurangi also particularly affected. Some small, isolated areas did not have power fully back on until the afternoon of the 26th.
The storm caused on average 520 lightning flashes an hour, peaking at between 700 and 800.
In the 24 hours to 1pm on the 26th there were 12,502 lightning strikes.
Multi Hazard
The Fire Service had about 20 weather-related call-outs in the upper North Island on the 28th.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland
Heavy rain pounded Auckland on the 22nd. The Fire Service dealt with weather-related calls and several alarms calls triggered by the heavy rain. Auckland had heavy rain again on the 24th.
The Auckland region had 158 mm (15.8 cm) of rain in June - 35 percent above the monthly average.
Flooding
The Fire Service dealt with numerous flooding call-outs on the North Shore on the 22nd.
Hail
Auckland was hit by freezing hail storms just before 6pm on the 24th.
High Wind / Gust
Auckland was getting gusts to 120 km/hr on the evening of 24th.
Power outages left around 3,500 homes without power.
Strong winds uprooted trees and brought powerlines down across the greater Auckland area.
Gusts of up to 115 km/hr were recorded within Auckland's suburbs on the 27th.
Winds reached 132 km/hr in parts of Auckland on the night fo the 27th.
Lightning
An Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Auckland on the afternoon of the 24th was shaken by lightning during its descent. Minor damage was done to the plane's nose. Lightning also hit two South American planes as they landed in Auckland. A Lan Chile Airbus jet had a hole punched in its nose. The 300 passengers, flying from Sydney to Santiago via Auckland, were left stranded overnight and the plane was grounded for two days while parts were flown in from South America. An Aerolineas Argentinas plane was also damaged.
A major electrical storm lashed the Auckland region and much of New Zealand on the night of the 25th.
Lightning strikes activated alarms across the greater Auckland area.
Lightning hit a microwave tower in Henderson about 5pm on the 28th, killing radio contact between police officers on the beat and the northern communications centre until about midnight. Dispatching was diverted to Wellington.
Landslide
SH16 on the Kaipara Coast Highway was partially blocked by rocks.
High Wind / Gust
at
Auckland Harbour Bridge
On the night of the 24th, police reduced the speed limit on the Auckland Harbour Bridge from 100 km/hr to 60 km/hr due to high winds.
Lightning
at
Auckland International Airport
Auckland International Airport was hit by electrical storms overnight between 11pm on the 27th and 2am on the 28th.
Flooding
at
Birkenhead
A garage was flooded in Birkenhead on the 22nd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Devonport
A Fullers ferry hit the Deonport Wharf when its bow got caught in a strong wind gust not long after 1pm on the 25th. It received a 10 cm hole on its bow. The 120 passengers were transferred to another vessel.
Landslide
at
Dome Valley
Some landslips caused traffic delays in the Dome Valley. One slip on the 22nd reduced the road to two lanes.
High Wind / Gust
at
Hauraki Gulf
Winds of up to 130 km/hr were recorded in the Hauraki Gulf.
Tornado
at
Kumeu
A mini-tornado was blamed for uplifting roof tiles from a house in Kumeu at about 11:30pm on the 25th. The windows shook and the tiles flew off the roof and smashed. Trees, the chicken coop and the swimming pool fence also copped a battering.
High Wind / Gust
High winds just before midnight on the 25th tore the roof off a Boord Rd stable in Kumeu. The whole corrugated iron roof lifted and blew over parked cars to end up resting against a hedge.
In Station Rd in Kumeu, branches from a tree fell on to power lines.
High Wind / Gust
at
Manukau Harbour
Winds on the 27th grew so bad that Manukau Harbour and the western gateway of Onehunga Port were closed. The Spirit of Resolution container ship was forced to sail around Cape Reinga to the main Auckland port for the first time in 17 years, putting them a day behind schedule. On the 29th the harbour was blocked by swells up to 6m over the harbour bar. The harbour entrance was shut from the 24th until the 30th. A petroleum tanker, a cement ship and 9 fishing trawlers were stranded in the harbour.
High Wind / Gust
at
Manukau Heads
Gusts of up to 130 km/hr were recorded on the Manukau Heads on the 27th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Muriwai Beach
At Muriwai Beach, the stormy weather threatened the lifeguard tower. It was moved to safer ground after seas up to 5 m high washed out the dunes around it.
High Wind / Gust
at
Onehunga Wharf
The Spirit of Resolution container ship was forced to sail around Cape Reinga to the main Auckland port for the first time in 17 years, putting them a day behind schedule.
High Wind / Gust
at
Otara
A main transmission power line came down over Highbrook Drive in Otara and was hanging around head-level across the road. A large stretch of highway was cordoned off while it was cleared.
High Wind / Gust
at
Pakuranga
A fallen tree had to be cleared off the Pakuranga Highway.
High Wind / Gust
at
Ranui
A tree fell and smashed through a neighbouring house roof at 9pm on the 25th. The power was disconnected when sparks began flying out of the wiring and the family had to remove to a motel.
Tornado
at
Waiuku
Another tornado was reported to have caused similar damage to a house roof in Waiuku.
Waikato
Snow / Ice
at
Waikato
On SH1 between Tokoroa and Taupo there were patches of black ice on the 25th.
Lightning
Thunder and lightning in the Waikato began around 11pm on the 25th and continued overnight, waking residents and shaking houses.
1500 lightning strikes were recorded over the Waikato in a 24-hour period from 11pm on the 25th.
An Air New Zealand flight from Sydney to Hamilton was struck by lightning on the nose shortly before landing and was diverted to Auckland about 11pm.
During electric storm on the 26th, at least 6 horses were struck dead by lightning, 5 more ran through fences in fright, 1 was found in a drain and 2 had to be put down with broken legs. Two of the horses killed were worth around $200,000. Several cows were also killed. 3 were electrocuted when a power line was blown down and 2 were struck by lightning.
Another powerful electrical storm ripped through the Waikato at about 8:30am on the 27th.
Landslide
at
Awakino
A slip covered both lanes of SH3 at Awakino, but the road remained open.
Lightning
at
Buckland
Lightning struck 3 trees in Buckland, tearing off long strips of bark, and damaged a nearby house on the night of the 24th. Windows were smashed and the ceiling in one room was sagging.
Heavy Rain
at
Castle Rock
Castle Rock got 53.5 mm (5.35 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6am on the 24th.
Heavy Rain
at
Coromandel Range
Over 100 mm (10 cm) of rain fell in parts of the Coromandel Range on the 22nd.
Lightning
at
Eureka
A lightning bolt struck a transformer on a Eureka farm property during the storm on the night of the 25th. It fried electrics in two homes, cut the power, and the water supply stopped beause the electric pump was blown. 1 resident's hot water cupboard, its contents and the kitchen were saturated by a leaking hot water pipe. The lightning strike also blew a big chunk out of the corner of her carshed.
Lightning
at
Hamilton
The Fire Service attended six false alarms after 3am that were set off by lightning strikes.
Tornado
Several Hamilton residents reported seeing a tornado funnel above the city on the afternoon of the 25th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaimai Range
High winds and heavy rain made driving difficult over the Kaimai Range on the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaimai Summit
The Kaimai Summit got 57.5 mm (5.75 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6am on the 24th.
Landslide
at
Karangahake Gorge
There were slips in the Karangahake Gorge between Paeroa and Waihi.
Snow / Ice
at
National Park
SH47 through National Park was closed by snow overnight on the 24th/25th and reopened late morning. SH4 between National Park and Raetihi was also closed briefly. SH47 was again closed by snow on the 29th.
Heavy Rain
at
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles got 60.5 mm (6.5 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6am on the 24th.
Multi Hazard
at
Port Jackson
A man (36 years) was killed after crashing his motorbike around 9:40am on the 28th while crossing a wooden bridge on the Port Jackson Rd near the top of the Coromandel Peninsula. Weather at the time was poor, including heavy rain and cross winds.
Multi Hazard
at
Raglan
The storm hit Raglan first. Some mobile phones were not responding to the networks.
Multi Hazard
at
Waitahanui
A man (30 years) was killed about 11:30pm on the 28th on SH1 at Waitehanui after being struck by a truck as he was walking home. The truck swerved but was unable to avoid him in treacherous conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
Heavy rain lashed the Bay of Plenty on the 22nd.
Tornado
at
Papamoa Beach
There was a mini-tornado at Papmoa Beach at 10:50am on the 22nd. Three houses in Wairakei Ave received roof damage and outdoor furniture was sent flying. At one house a car was dented, water poured through a light fitting into the lounge, a gazebo flew away and they lost some of their guttering. The tornado came with the noise of "an express train".
High Wind / Gust
Winds of up to 100 km/hr blew in from White Island on the 22nd.
Flooding
at
Taneatua
A superette in Taneatua was flooded on the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Tauranga
Tauranga received 44 mm (4.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 23rd.
Tauranga received 13.8 mm (1.38 cm) of rain in the hour between 1pm and 2pm on the 22nd.
Flooding
The Fire Service attended several properties around Tauranga affected by minor flooding, including a Subway restaurant in Greerton, on the afternoon of the 22nd. A house in Rimu St in Gate Pa suffered a flooded basement and a leaking chimney.
The heavy downpour around 1pm on the 22nd caused surface flooding outside Tauranga Girls' College on Cameron Rd and along Fraser St.
High Wind / Gust
Winds reached 62 km/hr in Tauranga on the 22nd.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Tauranga Harbour
The swell in Tauranga Harbour made for rough seas.
Taranaki
Multi Hazard
at
Taranaki
The province was hit by strong winds, freezing temperatures and big swells on the night of the 24th.
Snow / Ice
The snowfall in Taranaki on the 24th was to the lowest altitude in over two years.
Heavy Rain
at
Dawson Falls
At least 140 mm (14 cm) of rain fell at Dawson Falls on the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Taranaki
Heavy rain lashed Mount Taranaki on the 22nd.
Snow / Ice
At least 5 cm of snow fell on Mount Taranaki on the 24th.
High Wind / Gust
at
New Plymouth
In New Plymouth, winds gusted up to 120 km/hr on the 24th.
Landslide
at
Urenui
By the 19th August, an Urenui farmer had been waiting seven weeks for a slip to be fixed that washed out half of Mataro Rd, 9km from SH3. Truck drivers refused to drive past the slip, meaning two farms couldn't have their milk or stock collected. There was also another slip which was almost as dangerous.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
A blanket of snow coated Manawatu as low as Apiti on the night of the 24th.
Heavy Rain
Atrocious weather contributed to a number of mostly minor accidents across Manawatu on the 27th. Police issued a heavy rain warning.
Lightning
A lightning strike hit a southern Rangitikei backyard on the 26th. It set off the burglar alarm, exploded a power plug, killed the phone lines to a big shed, cracked wiring to the play shed and fried all the electrical appliances along one side of the house.
Snow / Ice
at
Desert Road
Snow was falling on the Desert Road on the 24th, as the cold snap moved up the country. Snow started to fall on the Desert Road again on the morning of the 28th.
The Desert Road (SH1) between Rangipo and Waiouru was closed on the night of the 24th and reopened the next afternoon. It again became blocked by snow and closed from the night of the 28th until the 30th, with only a brief opening in the afternoon until 5pm on the 29th.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Ruapehu
The Whakapapa and Turoa skifields recorded 25 cm of snow fall overnight (24th/25th) and were closed. Turoa had 166 cm of snow on the 29th and Whakapapa had gone from no snow to 135 cm in 6 days.
Snow / Ice
at
Ohakune
Heavy snow shut Ohakune Primary School for the day.
Heavy Rain
at
Palmerston North
A mother and 2 teenage sons were treated for bumps and bruises after their family wagon was flipped and landed upside down. The wagon collided with a car at the intersection of Chelwood and Shamrock Streets in Palmerston North at about 8:30am during a heavy downpour with poor visibility.
Snow / Ice
at
Raetihi
Around 7 cm of snow was reported on the ground at Raetihi and the morning of the 25th.
Snow / Ice
at
Ruapehu District
SH49 between Ohakune and Waiouru was closed on the 25th. All central North Island roads were reopened late morning on the 25th, except the Desert Road. SH49 from Ohakune to Waiouru was also closed from the morning of the 29th until about midday.
SH1 was closed by snow all the way from Rangipo to Taihape on the morning of the 29th. It was reopened between Waiouru and Taihape by midday.
Part of SH4 on the other side of Mount Ruapehu was closed by snow on the morning of the 29th.
Snow / Ice
at
Waiouru
About 15 cm of snow settled in Waiouru overnight on the 24th/25th.
Heavier falls in surrounding districts closed off all roads in and out of the town, including SH1 between Waiouru and Taihape. Truckies were stranded throughout the night in Waiouru.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wanganui
Gusting winds lifted roofs on the 29th.
There were power cuts in some areas of Wanganui on the 29th.
Wellington
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington
A deep low reached Wellington at around 3am on the 29th.
SH1 north of Wellington was risky due to strong winds on the 29th.
Heavy Rain
Almost 100 mm of rain fell in the hills east of Wellington City on the 29th.
40-50 mm of rain was recorded in Wellington and the Hutt Valley to 5pm on the 29th.
Flooding
Surface flooding hit parts of the Hutt Valley on the 29th.
Flooding
at
Camborne
Grays Rd from the junction to Camborne was closed by flooding on the 29th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Cook Strait
Four Interislander ferry crossings were cancelled on the 29th due to winds and ocean swells of up to 7 metres. Two finally left that evening about 1 1/2 hours late. About 900 passengers were affected. Bluebridge cancelled all its (3) sailings on the 29th, about 300 passengers were affected.
Snow / Ice
at
Kaitoke
There were patches of ice on the Rimutaka Hill road, especially in the Kaitoke area on the 24th and 25th. Motorists were warned of snow on the evening of 24th.
Heavy Rain
at
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt recorded 99 mm (9.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 29th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mt Kaukau
The stongest recorded wind gust was 148 km/hr on Mt Kaukau at 7am on the 29th.
Landslide
at
Paekakariki
Paekakariki Hill Rd was closed by slips on the night of the 29th and remained closed on the 30th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Petone
Wind pushed a parked car over a bank on to rocks at the edge of Wellington Harbour near Petone on the afternoon of the 29th. The girl was helped out of the car.
Snow / Ice
at
Rimutaka Hill
There was black ice on the Rimutaka Hill Road (SH2) on the morning on the 29th, especially around the summit.
Flooding
at
Tawa
Surface flooding was reported on SH1 near Tawa.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington City
In the port area there were gusts of up to 140 km/hr on the 29th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Wellington Harbour
On the 29th, trains were replaced with buses between Wellington and Upper Hutt because of waves near railway lines beside Wellington Harbour.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington International Airport
At Wellington International Airport, most Air New Zealand link flights were grounded on the 29th because gusty winds made it unsafe for staff and passengers to be on the tarmac. 25 regional flights in and out of Wellington were cancelled. Up to 1000 passengers were affected.
Marlborough
High Wind / Gust
at
Marlborough
Roads in coastal Marlborough were risky due to strong winds on the 29th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tory Channel
At the entrane to Tory Channel there were 70-80 knot (130-148 km/hr) winds and a swell of 4 or 5 m on the 29th.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
at
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy rain lashed northwest Nelson on the 22nd.
Snow / Ice
Snow closed SH60 between Riwaka and Takaka on the afternoon of the 25th. It was reopened at 6am on the 25th.
Icy road conditions closed SH63 between Wairau Valley and Kawatiri and SH6 between Kohatu and Kawatiri Junction on the morning of 25th.
The Takaka Hill received a dumping of snow on the 24th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Nelson Airport
Air Nelson reported that 42 Air Nelson flights in and out of Wellington were affected, as high winds were a risk to passengers disembarking aircraft.
Snow / Ice
at
Port Nelson
Freezing weather may have contributed to the death of a man found on an icy Port Nelson marina boat ramp on the morning of the 25th.
West Coast
Landslide
at
Lower Buller Gorge
A large slip came down overnight on SH6, blocking the entire road between Inangahua Junction and Westport. The road was reopened at about 10:15am on 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
West Coast
There were light snow falls on the West Coast on the 23rd.
SH6 from Haast to Makarora was closed.
SH73 from Arthur's Pass to Otira was closed.
SH7 from Springs Junction to Reefton was closed.
Canterbury
Multi Hazard
at
Canterbury
The storm brought down a number of trees in the Darfield-Rolleston area.
Snow / Ice
Snow was reported on SH7 and SH7A between Springs Junction and Hanmer Springs and on SH73 between Arthur's Pass and Otira.
Snow closed SH7 near Hanmer Springs from the morning of the 25th till the 26th.
SH8 between Omarama and Tarras was affected by snow and ice.
SH73 from Springfield to Arthur's Pass was closed to heavy vehicles on the the night of the 28th because of snow.
High Wind / Gust
Roads in northern Canterbury were risky due to strong winds on the 29th.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain fell from Mid to North Canterbury and the Kaikoura coast in the afternoon and evening of the 28th.
Heavy rain fell in the Hurunui/Kaikoura area on the 29th.
Landslide
SH1 was closed north and south of Cheviot because of slips. Slips partially blocked parts of SH1 in the Ferniehurst and Domett areas.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cass Bay
The coastgurard was called to help rescue a yacht that had broken its moorings in Cass Bay on the 29th.
Multi Hazard
at
Christchurch
Just before 11am, hail, rain, thunder and lightning hit Christchurch from the east to the west. Hail and snow were still falling in some areas at midday. Some parts of the city had complete white-out conditions.
The ferocity of the storm was something of a surprise to forecasters.
Temperatures in Christchurch dropped to near zero.
Traffic was slowed.
Lightning
A lightning strike caused a power cut at Ensors Rd railway crossing in Linwood. It caused the barrier arms to drop across the road, disrupting traffic, and all trains had to be stopped.
Flooding
Heavy rain and high tides caused rivers to back up, threatening some homes early on the 29th.
Countless roads and streets had surface water. The Christchurch City Council was busy working through the night (28th/29th) clearing surface flooding. The roads on the Beckenham Loop were closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Christchurch Airport
Christchurch Airport recorded 44 mm (4.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 29th.
Landslide
at
Conway Flat
Rocks and rubble fell onto the road at Conway Flat on the 29th.
Multi Hazard
at
Heathcote Valley
There was a power outage in the Heathcote Valley
Heavy Rain
at
Hurunui
A Hurunui station recorded 56 mm (5.6 cm) of rain on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Le Bons Bay
Le Bons Bay recorded 47 mm (4.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Luke Creek
Luke Creek, in the Kaikoura Ranges, had 96 mm (9.6 cm) in 24 hours.
Landslide
at
Parnassus
Rocks and rubble fell onto the road at Parnassus on the 29th.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Otago
Motorists were told to take extreme care on SH8 between Alexandra and Roxburgh due to snow and ice.
Snow began falling in Otago at about 5am on 24th.
Four schools in West Otago were forced to close. Tapanui Primary, Blue Mountain College (in Tapanui) and Waikoikoi School were closed, as roads were too dangerous for school buses and Heriot Primary was closed due to a power cut.
Almost 18 cm of snow fell in the higher parts of West Otago on the 24th.
Snow closed some of the higher West Otago roads in the Dunrobin, Moa Flat, Hukarere Station and Park Hill areas.
Snow closed SH87 between Outram and Ngapuna on the morning of 25th.
Snow / Ice
at
Alexandra
Overnight and early morning rain in Alexandra gave way to a strong southerly wind, which brought hail and light snow flurries in the morning on the 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Cardrona Ski Field
Cardrona skifield reported 15 cm of snow overnight on 23rd/24th and received 5-10cm of snow on morning of 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Clinton
Up to 3 cm of snow was recorded near Clinton on 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Coronet Peak Ski Field
Coronet Peak Ski Field received 8-15 cm of snow on morning of 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Dunedin
There were light snow falls in the hill suburbs of Dunedin on morning of 24th and sleet showers at Dunedin Airport. Dunedin also had some late snow showers.
Snow / Ice
at
Heriot
Up to 30 cm of snow was recorded around Heriot on the 24th. There was 7 cm of snow in the town and knee-high drifts on Dunrobin Rd, north of Heriot.
On the 24th, Heriot endured strong winds, blizzards and white-out conditions.
Heriot lost power for 2 hours during the morning, which closed businesses and Heriot Primary School.
Snow / Ice
at
Queenstown
In Queenstown, snow settled on the hills in the suburbs of Goldfield Height and Fernhill. It fell sporadically throughout the day in the town centre.
Ice and low snow closed Queenstown Airport on the morning of 24th, affecting more than 350 passengers. The first flight left at 1:45pm.
In Queenstown, snow delayed the opening of schools by an hour.
Snow / Ice
at
Remarkables Ski Field
The Remarkables Ski Field received 5-10cm of snow on morning of 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Swampy Summit
At Swampy Summit the wind chill factor plunged to -20degC.
Snow / Ice
at
Taiaroa Head
At Taiaroa Head the wind chill factor plunged to -8degC.
Snow / Ice
at
Tapanui
Tapanui residents awoke to 5 cm of snow on lawns, with frequent morning flurries.
Southland
Snow / Ice
at
Southland
Southland awoke to temperatures of 1C and some 4cm of snow on 24th.
SH93 between Clinton and Mataura was closed for the morning on 24th due to heavy snow falls and again on the 25th.
Snow settled as low as 200 m in Southland on morning of 24th.
SH94 between Te Anau and Milford was closed by snow from 5pm on the 24th until the 26th. It also had ice on the 28th.
Snow / Ice
at
Gore
Up to 7.5 cm of snow was recorded around Gore on 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Invercargill
There was snow down to sea level in Invercargill on 24th.
Flights coming into Invercargill Airport from Christchurch were subject to lengthy delays on the 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Mid Dome
Up to 10 cm of snow was recorded at Mid Dome on 24th.
Snow / Ice
at
Nightcaps
There was a lot of snow on roads between Wreys Bush and Nightcaps.
Snow / Ice
at
Ohai
Ohai was one of the worst hit areas with snow on surrounding roads.
Snow / Ice
at
Wanaka
It snowed around Wanaka on morning of 24th.
References
- Headline: Storm wreaks havoc in Auckland overnight.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: RadioLIVE, 26 June 2008, 7:47am.
- Headline: Roads open as severe weather eases.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: RadioLIVE, 26 June 2008, 8:38am.
- Headline: Rainy weather causing slips across Auckland region.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 26 August 2008, 6:39pm.
- Headline: Wild weather buffets the Bay.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 23 June 2008.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.). (2008). Climate summary for Winter 2008. Newsletter 114, September 2008. 9-10
- Headline: Winter hits with ice and slips.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 24 June 2006, 6:40am.
- Headline: Snow, hail and thunder blast Christchurch.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 24 June 2006, 12:20pm.
- Headline: People urged to be on high alert as strong winds create havoc in the North Island.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 27 June 2008, 22:24.
- Headline: Another 24 hours of wild weather.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 June 2008, 10:40am.
- Headline: Rain causes problems in Chch.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 6:44am.
- Headline: SH1 problems.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 18:08.
- Headline: Zapped! Second storm forecast tonight.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 27 June 2008.
- Headline: First of six cold fronts hits country.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB, 22 June 2008, 10:39am.
- Headline: Whirlwind rips up street as wild weather hits NZ.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 23 June 2008, 1:10pm.
- Headline: Snow, thundery rain and gales sweep country.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 June 2008, 9:11am.
- Headline: Large slip closes SH6.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 June 2008, 3:14pm.
- Headline: Auckland hit by freezing hail storm as wintry weather grips nation.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 June 2008, 6:15pm.
- Headline: Tornadoes are next, forecasters predict.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 25 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Icy weather limits motorists to one route through North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 25 June 2008, 9:00am.
- Headline: Family's misery after tree falls on house.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 26 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Gale force winds close Auckland harbours.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 27 June 2008, 7:48pm.
- Headline: Heavy rain, floods hit Christchurch hard.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 7:44am.
- Headline: Lightning punches hole in plane.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Wild weather continues to batter country.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 29 June 2008, 11:49am.
- Headline: Lightning strike hampers police callouts.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: 30 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Goodbye snow - hello howling gales.
- www.odt.co.nz, Source: Otago Daily Times, 24 June 2008, 1:28pm.
- Headline: Temperatures plunge in 'short, sharp burst'.
- www.odt.co.nz, Source: Otago Daily Times, 25 June 2008, 5:00am.
- Headline: Mini-tornado reported.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 22 June 2008, 12:03pm.
- Headline: More flooding predicted for parts of North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 22 June 2008, 5:29pm.
- Headline: Snow in South Island closes schools.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 24 June 2008, 1:44pm.
- Headline: Southerly blast brings snow, closes roads.
- www.radionz.co.nz 25 June 2008, 6:37am.
- Headline: Severe weather warning issued.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 28 June 2008, 6:636am.
- Headline: Snow and ice on a number of roads have prompted warnings from the Automobile Assocoiation and Transit New Zealand.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 28 June 2008, 4:46pm.
- Headline: Snow closes Desert Road.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 28 June 2008, 10:19pm.
- Headline: Snow closures in central North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 29 June 2008, 11:03am.
- Headline: MetService says heavy rain will continue in Wellington.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 30 June 2008, 6:11am.
- Headline: Winter blast wrapping the country.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 22 June 2008.
- Headline: Drivers urged to take care in winter conditions.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 24 June 2008.
- Headline: Ferry hits Devonport Wharf.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Weather woes continue across NZ.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA in Southland Times, 29 June 2008.
- Headline: More wild weather on the way.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA and Dominion Post, 30 June 2008.
- Headline: Lightning blows out windows.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Franklin County News, 4 July 2008.
- Headline: First of Manawatu's winter snow arrives.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Manawatu Standard, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Heavy rains spark crashes.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Manawatu Standard, 28 June 2008.
- Headline: Weather woes for travellers.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Marlborough Express, 30 June 2008.
- Headline: Wintry blast closes roads.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Nelson Mail and NZPA, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Gales ease but more rain ahead.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Nelson Mail and NZPA, 30 June 2008.
- Headline: Storm wrecks roofs.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Norwest News, 3 July 2008.
- Headline: Storm brings traffic chaos.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 24 June 2008.
- Headline: Weather blamed as man's body found on boat ramp.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 26 June 2008.
- Headline: Rain gives hydro lakes small boost.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press and NZPA, 30 June 2008.
- Headline: Family's road to recovery.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Rangitikei Mail, 9 September 2008.
- Headline: Snow hits the south.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Southland Times, 24 June 2008.
- Headline: Snow, sleet blanket the south.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Southland Times, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Wild weather on the way may spawn twisters.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Call for action on washed-out roadway.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 2008.
- Headline: Icy-cold blast coming.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Waikato Times, 24 June 2008.
- Headline: Storm kills prized horses.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Waikato Times, 27 June 2008.
- Headline: Lightning bolt zaps electrics in Eureka homes.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Waikato Times, 28 June 2008.
- Headline: Wintry blast closes roads, cuts power in Heriot.
- www.theensign.co.nz, 25 June 2008.
- Headline: Weather warnings issued for parts of NZ.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: Newstalk ZB, 22 June 2008, 6:44pm.
- Headline: Wintry blast across New Zealand.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 24 June 2008, 4:48pm.
- Headline: Snow blankets roads as winter bites.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 25 June 2008, 6:48am.
- Headline: Major storm lashes Auckland.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News/ Newstalk ZB, 26 June 2008, 7:15am.
- Headline: High winds disrupt travel in capital.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News/ Newstalk ZB, 29 June 2008, 6:25am.
- Headline: Snow closes central NI roads.
- www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz, 26 June 2008.
- Headline: Wild weather lifts roofs, closes roads in region.
- www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz, 30 June 2008.
- MetService Email Lists