NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
March 1962 Upper North Island Tropical Cyclone ( 1962-03-02 )
A tropical cyclone caused high winds and heavy rain in the upper North Island. There were power cuts and road closures. A farmer was drowned at Whananaki and three Cape Brett fishermen went missing, believed drowned.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 2nd to the 4th March 1962.
Fishing boats and small coastal craft received a first warning of an approaching cyclone on the 2nd of March in Northland and Auckland and warnings were repeated throughout the day.
Aircraft flights between Auckland and Northland were cancelled.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Heavy rain and high winds lashed Northland late on the 2nd as a tropical depression swept south towards the North Island.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain fell in Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Kaeo.
High Wind / Gust
There were intermittent power failures over the whole of Northland. Telephone cables were also affected with many subscribers between Whangarei and Kawakawa without telephone service.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Cape Brett
Three Cape Brett fishermen went missing and were believed drowned. Their 20-foot boat was found floating upside-down the nest morning.
There was a very heavy sea running.
High Wind / Gust
The families of the missing fishermen tried to contact police but the gale had blown down the telephone wires, cutting off the settlement whose only other means of communications was by boat.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaeo
The only wind damage reported was a couple of windows which were blown out of houses.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaitaia
A gust of 70 miles an hour (112.7 km/hr) was recorded in Kaitaia.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kerikeri
Orchards at Kerikeri were not damaged. They said the stormy conditions were no where near as bad as the cyclone in 1959.
Flooding
at
Waiariki River
The Waiariki River at the State Highway Bridge reached a gauge height of 305.12 ft (93.00 m) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the State Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 1,500 cusecs (42.5 cumecs) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the North Overflow Bridge reached a gauge height of 302.44 ft (92.18 m) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the North Overflow Bridge had a peak discharge of 200 cusecs (5.66 cumecs) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the South Overflow Bridge reached a gauge height of 302.21 ft (92.21 m) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the South Overflow Bridge had a peak discharge of 360 cusecs (10.19 cumecs) on the 8th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Whananaki
There was a very heavy sea running.
A 33 year old farmer was drowned at Whananaki. The drowned man disappeared after the capsize of a dinghy in which he was helping to secure moored launches
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 2.89 in (7.34 cm) of rain on the 2nd of March.
High Wind / Gust
Toll services south of Whangarei were disrupted but an alternative line was available.
Fruit trees in home gardens suffered from high winds.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
A tropical depression, which originated south-east of the New Hebrides, passed to the west of Auckland on the 3rd of March.
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland city
Auckland recorded an inch (2.54 cm) of rain by midnight on the 2nd.
High Wind / Gust
Gale force winds buffeted the city late on the 2nd.
Wind gusts of up to 45 miles an hour (72.4 km/hr) were recorded on the Auckland Harbour Bridge gauge on the 2nd. Gale warnings were posted at each end of the bridge and riders of motorcycles were advised to be careful.
Maritime / Coastal
High seas pounded the beaches on the North Shore, and waves on the harbour and in Rangitoto Channel were lashed white.
Waikato
Landslide
at
Waikato
The Rotorua-Taupo road was reduced by slips to a one-way road near Wairakei.
Flooding
at
Opepe
The highway was blocked at Opepe.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Tararu
At Tararu, the first high tide on the 2nd was 1.12 m hindcast, relative to the Tararu MSL datum.
At Tararu, the second high tide on the 2nd was 1.14 m hindcast, relative to the Tararu MSL datum.
At Tararu, the first high tide on the 3rd was 1.12 m hindcast, relative to the Tararu MSL datum.
At Tararu, the second high tide on the 3rd was 1.15 m hindcast, relative to the Tararu MSL datum.
Heavy Rain
at
Taupo
Taupo recorded over 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain between 9am and 4pm on the 4th.
Flooding
A flash flood on the Taupo-Napier State Highway on the 4th swept away more than 100 yards (91 m) of sealed road opposite the Rangitaiki Hotel.
Where the road ran bacame a roaring river four feet (1.22 m) deep.
Flooding
at
Te Aroha
Heavy rain increased the level of the river by eight feet (2.44 m) at Te Aroha.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Thames
At Thames the launch Waimarie was swept from its anchorage in the Kauaeranga River on the morning of the 2nd and forced against the traffic bridge just south of Thames, where it sank.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Rotorua
Continuous rain resulted in the heaviest rainfall in Rotorua for three years.
The Forest Research Institute in Whakarewarewa recorded 6.15 in (15.62 cm) of rain on the 3rd and the 4th.
Flooding
Flooding and slips in some places caused traffic disruptions on the main roads.
The road from Hamilton to Rotorua over the Mamaku Ranges was in a particularly dangerous condition.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hastings
A giant Lombardy poplar cashed across the main highway and railway line three miles south of Hastings on the 4th and dragged down a mile and a half of telephone wires. The tree, 145 feet (44 m) high, fell following a heavy downpour which weakened the soil around its roots.
References
- Bell, R.G; Hill, A.F (1997). Tidal and meteorological conditions for previous major sea storms at Thames.
- Hydrology Annual, No.10, 1962. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: Small Craft Damaged In Rising Gale.
- The New Zealand Herald, 3 March (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 3 March (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Storm Sweeps Down Toward City, Boats Shelter, 70 M.P.H. Wind in Northland.
- The New Zealand Herald, 3 March (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: 100 Yards Of Road Swept Away.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Huge Tree Crashes On Road.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: One Dead, 3 Lost In Storm, Boats Capsize, Rain Shuts Roads Cause Slips.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Traffic Disruption, Rotorua Has Deluge.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Farmers Move Stock At As River Rises.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 March (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Missing Dinghy Found Wrecked.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 March (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Seaweed Litters Beaches.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 March (Tuesday) 1962.
March 1962 Upper North Island Tropical Cyclone ( 1962-03-02 )
A tropical cyclone caused high winds and heavy rain in the upper North Island. There were power cuts and road closures. A farmer was drowned at Whananaki and three Cape Brett fishermen went missing, believed drowned.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 2nd to the 4th March 1962.
Fishing boats and small coastal craft received a first warning of an approaching cyclone on the 2nd of March in Northland and Auckland and warnings were repeated throughout the day.
Aircraft flights between Auckland and Northland were cancelled.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Heavy rain and high winds lashed Northland late on the 2nd as a tropical depression swept south towards the North Island.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain fell in Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Kaeo.
High Wind / Gust
There were intermittent power failures over the whole of Northland. Telephone cables were also affected with many subscribers between Whangarei and Kawakawa without telephone service.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Cape Brett
Three Cape Brett fishermen went missing and were believed drowned. Their 20-foot boat was found floating upside-down the nest morning.
There was a very heavy sea running.
High Wind / Gust
The families of the missing fishermen tried to contact police but the gale had blown down the telephone wires, cutting off the settlement whose only other means of communications was by boat.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaeo
The only wind damage reported was a couple of windows which were blown out of houses.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaitaia
A gust of 70 miles an hour (112.7 km/hr) was recorded in Kaitaia.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kerikeri
Orchards at Kerikeri were not damaged. They said the stormy conditions were no where near as bad as the cyclone in 1959.
Flooding
at
Waiariki River
The Waiariki River at the State Highway Bridge reached a gauge height of 305.12 ft (93.00 m) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the State Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 1,500 cusecs (42.5 cumecs) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the North Overflow Bridge reached a gauge height of 302.44 ft (92.18 m) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the North Overflow Bridge had a peak discharge of 200 cusecs (5.66 cumecs) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the South Overflow Bridge reached a gauge height of 302.21 ft (92.21 m) on the 8th.
The Waiariki River at the South Overflow Bridge had a peak discharge of 360 cusecs (10.19 cumecs) on the 8th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Whananaki
There was a very heavy sea running.
A 33 year old farmer was drowned at Whananaki. The drowned man disappeared after the capsize of a dinghy in which he was helping to secure moored launches
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 2.89 in (7.34 cm) of rain on the 2nd of March.
High Wind / Gust
Toll services south of Whangarei were disrupted but an alternative line was available.
Fruit trees in home gardens suffered from high winds.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
A tropical depression, which originated south-east of the New Hebrides, passed to the west of Auckland on the 3rd of March.
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland city
Auckland recorded an inch (2.54 cm) of rain by midnight on the 2nd.
High Wind / Gust
Gale force winds buffeted the city late on the 2nd.
Wind gusts of up to 45 miles an hour (72.4 km/hr) were recorded on the Auckland Harbour Bridge gauge on the 2nd. Gale warnings were posted at each end of the bridge and riders of motorcycles were advised to be careful.
Maritime / Coastal
High seas pounded the beaches on the North Shore, and waves on the harbour and in Rangitoto Channel were lashed white.
Waikato
Landslide
at
Waikato
The Rotorua-Taupo road was reduced by slips to a one-way road near Wairakei.
Flooding
at
Opepe
The highway was blocked at Opepe.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Tararu
At Tararu, the first high tide on the 2nd was 1.12 m hindcast, relative to the Tararu MSL datum.
At Tararu, the second high tide on the 2nd was 1.14 m hindcast, relative to the Tararu MSL datum.
At Tararu, the first high tide on the 3rd was 1.12 m hindcast, relative to the Tararu MSL datum.
At Tararu, the second high tide on the 3rd was 1.15 m hindcast, relative to the Tararu MSL datum.
Heavy Rain
at
Taupo
Taupo recorded over 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain between 9am and 4pm on the 4th.
Flooding
A flash flood on the Taupo-Napier State Highway on the 4th swept away more than 100 yards (91 m) of sealed road opposite the Rangitaiki Hotel.
Where the road ran bacame a roaring river four feet (1.22 m) deep.
Flooding
at
Te Aroha
Heavy rain increased the level of the river by eight feet (2.44 m) at Te Aroha.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Thames
At Thames the launch Waimarie was swept from its anchorage in the Kauaeranga River on the morning of the 2nd and forced against the traffic bridge just south of Thames, where it sank.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Rotorua
Continuous rain resulted in the heaviest rainfall in Rotorua for three years.
The Forest Research Institute in Whakarewarewa recorded 6.15 in (15.62 cm) of rain on the 3rd and the 4th.
Flooding
Flooding and slips in some places caused traffic disruptions on the main roads.
The road from Hamilton to Rotorua over the Mamaku Ranges was in a particularly dangerous condition.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hastings
A giant Lombardy poplar cashed across the main highway and railway line three miles south of Hastings on the 4th and dragged down a mile and a half of telephone wires. The tree, 145 feet (44 m) high, fell following a heavy downpour which weakened the soil around its roots.
References
- Bell, R.G; Hill, A.F (1997). Tidal and meteorological conditions for previous major sea storms at Thames.
- Hydrology Annual, No.10, 1962. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: Small Craft Damaged In Rising Gale.
- The New Zealand Herald, 3 March (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 3 March (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Storm Sweeps Down Toward City, Boats Shelter, 70 M.P.H. Wind in Northland.
- The New Zealand Herald, 3 March (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: 100 Yards Of Road Swept Away.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Huge Tree Crashes On Road.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: One Dead, 3 Lost In Storm, Boats Capsize, Rain Shuts Roads Cause Slips.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Traffic Disruption, Rotorua Has Deluge.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 March (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Farmers Move Stock At As River Rises.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 March (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Missing Dinghy Found Wrecked.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 March (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Seaweed Litters Beaches.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 March (Tuesday) 1962.