NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
May 2009 Bay of Plenty Hail and South Island Snow and Flooding
(
2009-05-08
)
Thunderstorms, waterspouts and a severe hailstorm hit parts of the Bay of Plenty, causing disruption and damage. Thunderstorms were also experienced in other parts of the North Island and snow fell on the higher ranges in the Central North Island and Taranaki. Snow fell to low levels in Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and flooding blocked some roads. In Otago, seven people were injured in weather-related incidents.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
Duration: 7 days - From the 8th to the 14th of May.
Insurance claims for the storm total $2.3 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 12:21 pm 09-May-2009: Snow expected to low levels in southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago and Dunedin, also about the foothills of southern and central Canterbury on Sunday. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: hills and ranges of southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago,and Dunedin, also the Canterbury foothills south of about the Waimakariri River.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:14 pm 09-May-2009: Snow expected to fairly low levels in southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago and Dunedin, also about the foothills of Canterbury on Sunday. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: hills and ranges of southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago,and Dunedin, also the Canterbury foothills.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:47 am 10-May-2009: Snow expected to fairly low levels in southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago and Dunedin, also about the foothills of Canterbury on Sunday. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: hills and ranges of southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago,and Dunedin, also the Canterbury foothills.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:15 pm 10-May-2009: Further snow to low levels in southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago through to Monday morning, but clearing about the foothills of Canterbury overnight. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: hills and ranges of southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago,and Dunedin. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warning lifted for Canterbury foothills.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:55 am 11-May-2009: Further snow in southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago this morning. Conditions easing from afternoon and snow level rising. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 2:47 pm 11-May-2009: No further heavy snow expected below 500 metres in southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago, and the warning is lifted for these areas. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warnings lifted for southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago.
On the morning of the 11th, a deep low the size of Australia was centred 150 km south-west of Auckland and 150 km north of Taranaki, and was slowly moving eastwards. The centre of the low made landfall near Raglan at around 5pm, and continued to bring torrential rain and thunderstorms to areas within a 200 km radius. On the 12th, a large complex of low pressures formed a ring around the Bay of Plenty, moving slowly north-east, caught between two highs. Large amounts of cold air from as far south as the 55th parallel moved above the warm sea, creating thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes.
Lightning
Around 15,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the 24 hours to 12am on the 11th, most of them in the Bay of Plenty area.
Lightning
at
North Island
On the afternoon of the 11th, a band of thunderstorms was moving east over the Bay of Plenty. Another band of thunderstorms was moving from King Country to the Central Plateau.
Snow / Ice
at
South Island
A cold front brought a wintry blast across the South Island on the morning of the 10th.
Snow closed State Highway 8 through the Lindis Pass from Omarama (Canterbury) to Tarras (Otago) on the night of the 10th.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain and sleet fell in many South Island centres on the 10th.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
The western suburbs of Auckland experienced hail and heavy rain on the morning of the 8th.
Auckland experienced rain and cold temperatures on the 11th.
Heavy Rain
at
Warkworth
There was a torrential downpour at Warkworth on the 11th, with a black and heavy sky.
Tornado
A small tornado passed through Warkworth at around 1:20pm on the 11th. It came from the north-west and moved south-east down Westpark Glen.
The tornado lasted for 20 or 30 seconds.
Six homes were damaged by the tornado. One house in Westpark Glen had tiles blown off its roof, leaving two holes, one of which was 1.5 m wide. Deck chairs were also blown around. Other houses in the area received damge to rooves, TV aerials and birdbaths. Some small trees were uprooted and a greenhouse roof was blown away. A caravan on Melwood Drive was also tipped on to its side.
Power was cut in Warkworth for ten minutes.
Waikato
Multi Hazard
at
Waikato
Thunderstorms and hail were experienced in the Waikato on the 10th.
Heavy Rain
at
Hamilton
Hamilton received about 19 mm (1.9 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 7.30am on the 11th.
Bay of Plenty
Lightning
at
Bay of Plenty
Western Bay of Plenty was hit with a violent thunderstorm late on the morning of the 11th.
The Bay of Plenty was hit with up to 5000 lightning strikes on the 11th.
Hail
An intense hailstorm was experienced in parts of the Western Bay of Plenty at about 11:40am, leaving hail that looked like snow.
The hail stones were of marble size, with some being half the size of golf balls or the size of 20c coins.
The hail caused up to $10 million in damage to kiwifruit crops, with almost three million trays of fruit affected. At least 467 orchards had damaged crops, with more than three-quarters losing less than 20% of their crop and at least 23 having to write off their entire crop. 500,000 gold kiwifruit were hit by the hail, but at least 2.4 million green kiwifruit were damaged, as 60% were yet to be harvested.
There were reports that farm animals had died.
Multi Hazard
Surface flooding and ice on State Highway 2 east of Te Maunga made driving hazardous.
The storm in the Weatern Bay of Plenty lasted for about an hour.
The stormy weather struck the Eastern Bay at about 2.30pm on the 11th.
Horizon Energy reported many isolated problems caused by the weather, mainly fuses that blew on transformers.
Flooding
at
Arataki
Serious surface flooding occurred at Arataki.
Several houses in the Arataki area were flooded.
Snow / Ice
On the 12th, there was a buildup of ice on the shoulder of several roads in Arataki.
Tornado
at
Maketu
Five waterspouts were viewed off the coast by a resident of Town Point, near Maketu.
Some of the waterspouts were estimated to be several hundred metres across.
High Wind / Gust
The winds that accompanied the waterspouts were described as horrendous.
Hail
A hailstorm followed the waterspouts, and left the beach appearing as if it were coated in snow.
Hail
at
Mount Maunganui
The police evacuated about 2000 people from the Bayfair Shopping Centre late on the morning of the 11th after drains were blocked and parts of the roof came away under the weight of the hail. The shopping centre re-opened at 9am on the 12th.
The mall sustained a lot of water damage. The roof came away near the Woolworths and Farmers stores and in at least five other places, damaging the sprinkler system. Water seeping through the roof damaged stock in Farmers and Woolworths .
The hail lay to a depth of about 4 in (10 cm) in some places around Mt Maunganui.
The hail fell for 20 minutes.
A car had to be dug out of hail after it became stuck while driving south down Oceanbeach Road. The hail was up past the bottom of the car doors.
Oceanbeach Road was closed between Girven Road and Concorde Ave.
Some people rode boogie boards or snowboards over the sand dunes.
Flooding
Several shops in the Bayfair Shopping Centre were flooded. Some homes in the area were also flooded.
Traffic was severely disrupted in the Mt Maunganui town centre due to flooding.
Multi Hazard
Roads around the Bayfair Shopping Centre were closed due to hail and surface flooding. Hail blocked drains, preventing the heavy rain from draining away.
Mt Maunganui firefighters attended a dozen call-outs involving flooding, fallen trees and a damaged roof at the Bayfair Shopping Centre.
Tornado
One waterspout about 2 km or 3 km off Mount Maunganui was estimated to be 500 m across. It touched down about three times, on one occasion for probably 5-10 minutes.
Hail
at
Ohiwa Harbour
Hail completely covered the mudflats of Ohiwa Harbour.
Multi Hazard
at
Ohope
On the Ohope Hill, traffic was brought to a standstill after a car rolled in slippery conditions, with hail and ice on the road.
At an Ocean Road property, the plastic roof over the dining was wrecked by hail and strong winds.
A transformer was blown at Otarawairere, necessitating a temporary generator to supply electricity to nearby homes.
Some roads were affected by surface flooding and hail.
Hail
In some parts of Ohope the hail was up to 12 cm deep on the 11th. One resident still had 2 in (5 cm) of ice in his backyard at midday on the 12th.
The hail completely covered roofs.
Flooding
Some Ohope houses were flooded after water got into the ceilings due to gutters blocked by hail. Water also flowed down the inside of Ohope Beach School’s hall.
Flooding
at
Papamoa
Serious surface flooding occurred at Papamoa.
Several houses in the Papamoa area were flooded, with at least one receiving damage.
Hail
Hail on Papamoa Beach Road, near Domain Road, made driving hazardous.
The hail in Tara Road was up to the bottom of a patrol car.
Some residents reported minor damage to roofs and garages from the hail.
Snow / Ice
On the 12th, there was a buildup of ice on the shoulder of several roads in Papamoa.
Multi Hazard
At Papamoa primary School, a block of classrooms and a teacher resource room were flooded on the 11th after hail caused the roof to cave in. The school was closed on the 12th, and on the 13th more than 90 children had to be taught in a temporary classroom inside the hall. The weight of the hail also bent a metal support pole of a shade sail.
Lightning
at
Paroa
Lightning struck a fuse box at Paroa School.
Lightning
at
Tauranga
A yacht berthed at Tauranga's Bridge Marina was struck by lightning on the 11th. It only suffered from a few problems with electrical gear.
Heavy Rain
Tauranga Airport had recorded 11.6 mm (1.2 cm) of rain by early afternoon on the 11th.
Tauranga Airport recorded 7 mm (0.7 cm) of rain in one particularly heavy burst on the 11th.
Flooding
at
Te Puke
Serious surface flooding occurred at Te Puke.
Lightning
Lightning struck the Powerco electricity network at about 12.10pm on the 11th, cutting power to 400 homes in Te Puke. Power was restored to 350 customers by 3pm and the was expected to be restored to the remaining 50 customers on the morning of the 12th.
Hail
A second hail storm struck right over Te Puke on the evening of the 11th.
Hail
at
Thornton
Large hail stones blanketed the Thornton area, including the sand dunes, on the 11th.
Hail stones 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter were reported in Thornton.
Lightning
at
Whakatane
At Whakatane High School, the main telephone system was fried by a lighting strike.
At least two tall trees in Whakatane were struck by lightning. A 25-metre-high redwood tree at the far end of Landing Road was struck, making a deafening roar throughout the neighbourhood and sending branches and debris crashing through a garage. Debris from the tree was found at least 100m away. The lightning also surged through household appliances, rendering a television and washing machine unworkable. A large pine at the back of a Douglas Street property was also split by a lightning strike.
Taranaki
Lightning
at
Taranaki
A band of thunderstorms brought hundreds of lightning strikes over Taranaki on the morning of the 8th.
There were up to 200 lightning strikes from about 6am.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Taranaki
Mount Taranaki received 12 cm of snow overnight on the 10th/11th.
Snow / Ice
at
Pouakai Range
Snow fell on the Pouakai Ranges overnight on the 10th/11th.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Desert Road
The Desert Road on State Highway 1 had to be cleared after sleet and snow showers.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Ruapehu
At Mount Ruapehu, about 60 cm of snow fell at Turoa Skifield and 50 cm at Whakapapa Skifield.
Canterbury
Multi Hazard
at
Canterbury
Cantebrury experienced snow, sleet, hail and rain on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
On the 10th snow fell to about 300m on Banks Peninsula, the higher Canterbury Plains, the foothills and in parts of inland South Canterbury.
Snow / Ice
at
Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass was closed to towing vehicles on the morning of the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Fairlie
Snow fell at Fairlie on the morning of the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Geraldine
Light snow fell in Geraldine on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Methven
Methven had snow flurries on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Cook
Mountt Cook Village had received around 10 cm of snow by late afternoon on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Dobson Skifield
Mount Dobson recorded 38 cm of snow.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Hutt Skifield
Mount Hutt Skifield received a snowfall of 25 cm on the 10th.
The ski area received more than 170 cm of snow in the 10 days up to the 12th.
Skifield workers had never seen so much snow so early in the year.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Somers
Mount Somers received a couple of centimetres of snow on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Porter Heights Skifield
Porter Heights Skifield had 40 cm of snow in the car park.
Porter Heights Skifield had 1.5 m of snow at the top of the mountain.
Porter's general manager said he had not seen such conditions in May in 20 years.
Snow / Ice
at
Springfield
Springfield had snow flurries on the 10th.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Otago
Snow fell on the foothills around West Otago on the 10th.
About 5 in (13 cm) of snow covered roads and paddocks in parts of Otago.
State Highway 87 from Outram to Middlemarch was closed late on the morning of the 10th, reopened about 2pm, and closed again from about 5pm through to the morning of the 11th because of ice.
Temperatures around the region dropped to lows of 2degC and below on the 10th and 11th.
Flooding
Some roads were affected by flooding from the 12th. Water had receded from most roads by the 15th.
State Highway 90 from Raes Junction to Tapanui was affected by flooding at Crookston.
The lower Clutha River was running high with flood waters from the Pomahaka River.
Snow / Ice
at
Arrowtown
There were reports of snow around Arrowtown on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Arthurs Point
An Arthurs Point resident received 6 cm of snow around his hilltop home overnight on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Athol
Athol received 15-20 cm of snow overnight on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Balclutha
The Clutha River at Balclutha was flowing at 936 cumecs at 4pm on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Caberfeidh
Flooding occurred at the bottom of Caberfeidh Hill on the 12th.
Snow / Ice
at
Cardrona
The Cardrona Skifield received a snowfall of about 10-15cm.
Snow / Ice
at
Clarks Junction
Two Dunedin motorcyclists had to spend the night of the 10th at Mt Gowrie Station, near State Highway 87, about 2km north of Clarks Junction, after conditions made it to hazardous to return to Dunedin.
A motorcyclist was flown to Dunedin Hospital with minor head and arm injuries after slipping in icy conditions on the Clarks Junction-Lee Stream Road, about 2 km south of Clarks Junction, just before 4pm on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Clydevale
MacFarlane Road remained closed on the 14th.
Snow / Ice
at
Coronet Peak Skifield
The top of the mountain at Coronet Peak Skifield received 25 cm of snow overnight on the 10th/11th.
The base of Coronet Peak Skifield received 15 cm of snow overnight on the 10th/11th.
Multi Hazard
at
Dunedin
A woman underwent surgery for head injuries after she was hit by a car while crossing Hillside Road in South Dunedin at about 7:50am on the 12th. Atrocious weather conditions, including heavy rain, at the time were thought to be a factor.
Heavy Rain
Sports grounds at Logan Park, the Oval, Tonga Park and Bathgate Park were closed on the 12th because of surface water. All Dunedin grounds were closed to sports training on the night of the 14th.
Dunedin City recorded 45 mm (4.5 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 3pm on the 12th.
Flooding
At Heffs Hotel in South Dunedin, an old plastic ball became lodged in a downpipe, forcing the rainwater through the roof and flooding the floor of the pokie room. The hotel faced tens of thousands of dollars in damage and lost revenue, with carpets having to be cleaned, wiring checked and the pokie room closed for at least two days.
The floor of the bar and pokie room was covered in several centimetres of water.
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport recorded 35 mm (3.5 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 3pm on the 12th.
Snow / Ice
at
Garston
Garston received 15-20 cm of snow overnight on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Kingston
Kingston received 10-12 cm of snow on the night of the 10th.
Flooding
at
Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea was at a level of 345 m on the 14th - 1m below its maximum capacity.
Flooding
at
Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu was at a level of 306.93 m above sea level on the 14th - about 1m below the first flood warning level.
Snow / Ice
at
Lee Stream
Lee Stream School was closed on the 11th due to the snowfall on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Lindis Pass
Lindis Pass was closed to towing vehicles on the morning of the 10th and snow cosed the road to all vehicles on the night of the 10th.
Three tour buses, carrying more than 80 tourists, were stranded on slippery, snowy roads on the Lindis Pass for several hours from about 7pm on the 10th. They were heading from Omarama towards Wanaka.
Multi Hazard
at
Milton
Five roads in the Milton area were closed or partially closed on the 12th, including Allison Road, Remote Road and Akatore Road, which was closed from Big Creek Road.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Hutt Skifield
Mount Hutt Skifield received around 40-50 cm of snow
Heavy Rain
at
Oamaru
Oamaru recorded 3.2 mm (0.3 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 3pm on the 12th.
Snow / Ice
at
Queenstown
Snow fell on the foothills around Queenstown on the 10th.
Multi Hazard
Most Air New Zealand and Qantas flights to and from Queenstown International Airport were cancelled on the 11th due to low cloud. Two flights also had to be diverted elsewhere.
Queenstown recorded a maximum temperature of 4 degC on the 10th.
Heavy Rain
Queenstown recorded 9.8 mm (1.0 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 3pm on the 12th.
Snow / Ice
at
Ranfurly
A fundraising concert and mock accident in Ranfurly involving emergency services from all over the district had to be cancelled on the 9th due to snow.
About 6 cm of snow lay in Ranfurly on the 11th.
Snow / Ice
at
Remarkables Ski Field
The Remarkables Ski Area received 20 cm of snow overnight on the 10th/11th.
The Remarkables Ski Area received 55 cm of snow from the 6th to the 11th.
Multi Hazard
at
Silver Peaks
Nine trampers had to spend the night of the 8th in snow flurries, strong winds and freezing temperatures after becoming disoriented in the Silver Peaks. They had ventured out unprepared despite a weather forecast for snow. Five of the trampers were taken to Dunedin Hospital suffering from hypothermia.
Flooding
at
Toko Mouth
Toko Mouth was cut off when Toko Mouth Road was closed on the 12th due to the rising waters of the lower Tokomairiro River. Access was restored on the afternoon of the 14th after nearly three days.
Flooding
at
Tokoiti
Elliotvale Road was closed from Tokoiti from the 12th to the 14th.
Snow / Ice
at
Treble Cone Skifield
The Treble Cone Skifield received a snowfall of about 15cm overnight on the 10th/11th.
Multi Hazard
at
Wanaka
Wanaka recorded a maximum temperature of 4 degC on the 10th.
Southland
Snow / Ice
at
Southland
Snow fell on the foothills around Southland on the 10th.
Motorists had to drive with care on State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound because of snow.
Flooding
Many Southland rivers were running high on the 13th.
Surface flooding caused havoc on roads in Southland on the 14th after days of heavy rain. Five roads were closed and there were flooding warning signs up on at least 10 others. State Highway 99 between Invercargill and Riverton was closed at Underwood at 4pm on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Avondale
Avondale Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Branxholme
Flooding signs were being put up on Branxholm-Makarewa Road when water reached the edges of the seal on each side of bridge and was still rising.
Flooding
at
Browns
Hodgkinson Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Brydone
Water covered about 35 m of State Highway 1 at Lowburn bridge, south of Mataura, on the 14th. The wetlands adjacent to the highway were swollen.
The water was up to 60 cm deep in some places.
Two cars aqua-planed off the road just before 4am on the 14th and became partially submerged, but there were no injuries.
Flooding
at
Dipton
Bell Road and Byrie Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Dipton West
South Hillend Dipton Road had flooding signs up.
Heavy Rain
at
Gore
The Gore area received around 50 mm (5.0 cm) of rain.
Flooding
In the Gore District, several small roads were closed and there was surface flooding throughout the area, most of it caused by floods in the headwaters of the Mataura River and Waikaka Stream.
Multi Hazard
Gore recorded a maximum temperature of 5 degC on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Gorge Road
Holz Road was under water, with flooding signs erected on the 14th and 15th. Fleming Road was closed on the 15th.
Flooding
at
Grove Bush
Horman Road and North Makarewa Grove Bush Road at Macadam Road were closed on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Hedgehope
Millar Road had flooding signs up.
Multi Hazard
at
Invercargill
Invercargill recorded a maximum temperature of 5 degC on the 10th.
Heavy Rain
Invercargill Airport recorded 62.8 mm (6.3 cm) of rain from 12am on the 10th to 3pm on the 13th.
Flooding
at
Mabel Bush
Rakahouka-Hedgehope Road was closed from Yorke Road south to the bridge boundary.
Flooding
at
Makarewa
State Highway 6 near the Makarewa freezing works was down to one lane at lunchtime on the 14th due to flooding.
Flooding
at
Makarewa Junction
Counsell Road was closed between Helena Road and Mill Road North. North Makarewa Grove Bush Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Makarewa River
The Makarewa River reached its fourth highest flood peak on record on the morning of the 15th. The river reached the first flood alarm level on the afternoon of the 14th.
Widespread flooding occurred in the rural Makarewa catchment after heavy rain in the area.
Heavy Rain
The headwaters of the Makarewa River in the Hokonui Hills received about 116 mm (11.6 cm) of rain in the week up to the 14th.
Flooding
at
Mandeville
Otapiri Mandeville Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Mataura
Flooding left the Mataura hockey turf covered in silt.
Flooding
at
Mataura Island
Mataura Island Titiroa Road was closed due to flooding on the 14th and remained closed on the 15th.
Flooding
at
McNab
McGibbon Road at McNab was still closed due to flooding on the 14th.
Snow / Ice
at
Nightcaps
Snow fell at Nightcaps on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Ohai
Snow fell at Ohai on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Otapiri
Otapiri Boggyburn Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Otapiri Gorge
Otapiri Gorge Road, Lora Gorge Road, Lora River Road and Hall Road had flooding signs up on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Pukemutu
Hishon Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Taramoa
Taramoa West Plains Road had flooding signs up on the 14th and was later closed, and remained closed on the 15th.
Flooding
at
Tokanui
Flooding closed Tokanui Gorge Road Highway on the 14th and 15th. On afternoon of the 15th, the water level had not dropped even though high tide was at 5:30am.
Flooding
at
Tussock Creek
Tussock Creek Road had flooding signs up.
The Makarewa River at Tussock Creek was 3.9 m above normal on the 13th.
Landslide
at
Waiarikiki
Venlaw Road was blocked by a small slip on the 14th.
Flooding
Waiarikiki Road was still closed due to flooding on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Waikaka
McGregor Road was still closed due to flooding on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Wallacetown
There was water across State Highway 99 on the Lorneville-Wallacetown Highway, at McInerney Creek.
References
- Headline: Wintry blast chills South Island.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 10 May 2009, 6:12pm.
- Headline: Bay Of Plenty hit by massive storm.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News and NZPA, 11 May 2009, 2:38pm.
- Headline: Shopping centre evacuated as wild weather hits Tauranga.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 11 May 2009, 5:40pm.
- Headline: Storms wreak havoc in parts of Bay of Plenty.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 11 May 2009.
- Headline: Roads chaos: Car stuck as hail blocks routes.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 12 May 2009.
- Headline: Bay counts cost of ice storm.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, Source: Bay of Plenty Times and NZPA, 13 May 2009.
- Headline: Lightning strikes Bay couple's boat in marina.
- www.hbtoday.co.nz, 12 May 2009.
- Headline: Hunker down this weekend.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 6 May 2009, 7:20am.
- Headline: Thunder band moves north.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 8 May 2009, 11:19am.
- Headline: More snow on Sth Island passes.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 9 May 2009, 9:32am.
- Headline: Weather systems collide.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 9 May 2009, 2:20pm.
- Headline: Snow rolls in across both islands.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 10 May 2009, 2:12pm.
- Headline: Ski field well covered.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 5:16am.
- Headline: Snow traps tourists for several hours.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 9:57am.
- Headline: Thunderstorm brings flooding and twisters.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 12:48pm.
- Headline: Hail leaves Bay of Plenty whitened.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 2:03pm.
- Headline: Chaotic weather in the north.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 3:03pm.
- Headline: Mall reopens after hail drama.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 8:04am.
- Headline: Flood alert in Otago.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 14 May 2009, 3:16pm.
- Headline: Hail storm hits as wintry weather batters country.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Soucre: NZ Herald and NZPA, 11 May 2009, 1:02pm.
- Headline: Residents stunned as freak hail storm, tornadoes hit BOP.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Soucre: NZ Herald and NZPA, 11 May 2009, 3:28pm.
- Headline: Freak hail storm rocks BOP – Auckland, Nth Island also hit hard.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 11 May 2009, 5:26pm.
- Headline: An icy blast - and more on the way.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Cold night out for trampers.
- www.odt.co.nz, 9 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Two major events cancelled due to snow.
- www.odt.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 4:55am.
- Headline: Icy conditions deter motorcyclists.
- www.odt.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Rescued trampers 'were ill-prepared'.
- www.odt.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Tour buses stranded by weather.
- www.odt.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Early snow disrupts travel but gives skifields hope.
- www.odt.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Weather likely factor in accident.
- www.odt.co.nz, 13 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Floods leave Southland roads awash.
- www.odt.co.nz, 14 May 2009, 12:16pm.
- Headline: Floodwater closes roads, more closures possible.
- www.odt.co.nz, 15 May 2009, 5:01am.
- Headline: Wet, with more rain forecast.
- www.odt.co.nz, 15 May 2009, 5:03am.
- Headline: Roads open as weather eases.
- www.odt.co.nz, 15 May 2009, 1:33pm.
- Headline: Lightning storm over Taranaki.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 8 May 2009, 10:11am.
- Headline: Snow warning issued for Porters Pass.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 8 May 2009, 10:59am.
- Headline: Caution urged as snow falls on South Island roads.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 10 May 2009, 10:40am.
- Headline: Flooded Bay of Plenty mall evacuated.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 4:19pm.
- Headline: Tordadoes reported in upper North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 4:20pm.
- Headline: Flooded Bay of Plenty mall evacuated.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 6:05pm.
- Headline: Wild weather batters upper North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 6:59am.
- Headline: Cars aqua-plane off flooded road.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 14 May 2009, 8:05am.
- Headline: Alert: Severe weather in Bay of Plenty District.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: New Zealand Police, 11 May 2009, 12:14pm.
- Headline: Thunder Storms in Bay of Plenty District.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: New Zealand Police, 11 May 2009, 5:10pm.
- Headline: Bayfair Shopping Centre Reopens.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Bayfair Shopping Centre, 12 May 2009, 11:33am.
- Headline: Mall evacuated in Tauranga.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 12:17pm.
- Headline: Wild weather in Tauranga.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 2:13pm.
- Headline: Wild weather hits North.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 3:07pm.
- Headline: BOP kiwifruit growers assess damage.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 9:54am.
- Headline: Hail fears for kiwifruit growers.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 10:03am.
- Headline: Mainland braces for rough weather.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 14 May 2009, 12:51pm.
- Headline: Snow's up for winter surfers.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Hail costs kiwifruit growers $10m.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 21 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Storm stumps forecasters.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 8 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Sunny days are here again ....
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Ski-fields get ready to open.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Tornado sweeps through Warkworth.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Rodney Times, 11 May 2009, 3:09pm.
- Headline: More icy weather tipped for south.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Big dump of snow wakes up the powder hounds.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Cold snap to continue.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Rivers rising as rain gauge blows its top.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 14 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: More rain predicted.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 15 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Turf cleaned up after floods.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 16 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Ski-field set to open lower slopes.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Grab the thermals, wintry weather is here to stay.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Timaru Herald, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Cold front ends Waikato's autumn glow.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Waikato Times, 11 May 2009, 10:00am.
- Headline: South Island ski-fields loving snow dump.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 10 May 2009, 7:52pm.
- Headline: Storm blasts Bay of Plenty.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 11 May 2009, 2:55pm.
- Headline: Cold, snow tipped after twisters, hail.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 12 May 2009, 9:11am.
- Headline: Flooding Concentrated On The Makarewa Catchment.
- www.voxy.co.nz, 15 May 2009, 1:0pm.
- Headline: Wild weather causes chaos for emergency services.
- www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz, 12 May 2009.
- Headline: Extreme weather brings crazy scenes… and more to come.
- www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz, 13 May 2009.
- Headline: Lightning-damaged redwood tree removed.
- www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz, 13 May 2009.
- MetService Email Lists
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (www.icnz.org.nz/current/weather)
May 2009 Bay of Plenty Hail and South Island Snow and Flooding
(
2009-05-08
)
Thunderstorms, waterspouts and a severe hailstorm hit parts of the Bay of Plenty, causing disruption and damage. Thunderstorms were also experienced in other parts of the North Island and snow fell on the higher ranges in the Central North Island and Taranaki. Snow fell to low levels in Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and flooding blocked some roads. In Otago, seven people were injured in weather-related incidents.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
Duration: 7 days - From the 8th to the 14th of May.
Insurance claims for the storm total $2.3 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 12:21 pm 09-May-2009: Snow expected to low levels in southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago and Dunedin, also about the foothills of southern and central Canterbury on Sunday. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: hills and ranges of southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago,and Dunedin, also the Canterbury foothills south of about the Waimakariri River.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:14 pm 09-May-2009: Snow expected to fairly low levels in southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago and Dunedin, also about the foothills of Canterbury on Sunday. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: hills and ranges of southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago,and Dunedin, also the Canterbury foothills.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:47 am 10-May-2009: Snow expected to fairly low levels in southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago and Dunedin, also about the foothills of Canterbury on Sunday. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: hills and ranges of southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago,and Dunedin, also the Canterbury foothills.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:15 pm 10-May-2009: Further snow to low levels in southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago through to Monday morning, but clearing about the foothills of Canterbury overnight. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: hills and ranges of southern Fiordland, Southland, South Otago,and Dunedin. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warning lifted for Canterbury foothills.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:55 am 11-May-2009: Further snow in southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago this morning. Conditions easing from afternoon and snow level rising. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 2:47 pm 11-May-2009: No further heavy snow expected below 500 metres in southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago, and the warning is lifted for these areas. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warnings lifted for southern Fiordland, Southland and South Otago.
On the morning of the 11th, a deep low the size of Australia was centred 150 km south-west of Auckland and 150 km north of Taranaki, and was slowly moving eastwards. The centre of the low made landfall near Raglan at around 5pm, and continued to bring torrential rain and thunderstorms to areas within a 200 km radius. On the 12th, a large complex of low pressures formed a ring around the Bay of Plenty, moving slowly north-east, caught between two highs. Large amounts of cold air from as far south as the 55th parallel moved above the warm sea, creating thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes.
Lightning
Around 15,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the 24 hours to 12am on the 11th, most of them in the Bay of Plenty area.
Lightning
at
North Island
On the afternoon of the 11th, a band of thunderstorms was moving east over the Bay of Plenty. Another band of thunderstorms was moving from King Country to the Central Plateau.
Snow / Ice
at
South Island
A cold front brought a wintry blast across the South Island on the morning of the 10th.
Snow closed State Highway 8 through the Lindis Pass from Omarama (Canterbury) to Tarras (Otago) on the night of the 10th.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain and sleet fell in many South Island centres on the 10th.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
The western suburbs of Auckland experienced hail and heavy rain on the morning of the 8th.
Auckland experienced rain and cold temperatures on the 11th.
Heavy Rain
at
Warkworth
There was a torrential downpour at Warkworth on the 11th, with a black and heavy sky.
Tornado
A small tornado passed through Warkworth at around 1:20pm on the 11th. It came from the north-west and moved south-east down Westpark Glen.
The tornado lasted for 20 or 30 seconds.
Six homes were damaged by the tornado. One house in Westpark Glen had tiles blown off its roof, leaving two holes, one of which was 1.5 m wide. Deck chairs were also blown around. Other houses in the area received damge to rooves, TV aerials and birdbaths. Some small trees were uprooted and a greenhouse roof was blown away. A caravan on Melwood Drive was also tipped on to its side.
Power was cut in Warkworth for ten minutes.
Waikato
Multi Hazard
at
Waikato
Thunderstorms and hail were experienced in the Waikato on the 10th.
Heavy Rain
at
Hamilton
Hamilton received about 19 mm (1.9 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 7.30am on the 11th.
Bay of Plenty
Lightning
at
Bay of Plenty
Western Bay of Plenty was hit with a violent thunderstorm late on the morning of the 11th.
The Bay of Plenty was hit with up to 5000 lightning strikes on the 11th.
Hail
An intense hailstorm was experienced in parts of the Western Bay of Plenty at about 11:40am, leaving hail that looked like snow.
The hail stones were of marble size, with some being half the size of golf balls or the size of 20c coins.
The hail caused up to $10 million in damage to kiwifruit crops, with almost three million trays of fruit affected. At least 467 orchards had damaged crops, with more than three-quarters losing less than 20% of their crop and at least 23 having to write off their entire crop. 500,000 gold kiwifruit were hit by the hail, but at least 2.4 million green kiwifruit were damaged, as 60% were yet to be harvested.
There were reports that farm animals had died.
Multi Hazard
Surface flooding and ice on State Highway 2 east of Te Maunga made driving hazardous.
The storm in the Weatern Bay of Plenty lasted for about an hour.
The stormy weather struck the Eastern Bay at about 2.30pm on the 11th.
Horizon Energy reported many isolated problems caused by the weather, mainly fuses that blew on transformers.
Flooding
at
Arataki
Serious surface flooding occurred at Arataki.
Several houses in the Arataki area were flooded.
Snow / Ice
On the 12th, there was a buildup of ice on the shoulder of several roads in Arataki.
Tornado
at
Maketu
Five waterspouts were viewed off the coast by a resident of Town Point, near Maketu.
Some of the waterspouts were estimated to be several hundred metres across.
High Wind / Gust
The winds that accompanied the waterspouts were described as horrendous.
Hail
A hailstorm followed the waterspouts, and left the beach appearing as if it were coated in snow.
Hail
at
Mount Maunganui
The police evacuated about 2000 people from the Bayfair Shopping Centre late on the morning of the 11th after drains were blocked and parts of the roof came away under the weight of the hail. The shopping centre re-opened at 9am on the 12th.
The mall sustained a lot of water damage. The roof came away near the Woolworths and Farmers stores and in at least five other places, damaging the sprinkler system. Water seeping through the roof damaged stock in Farmers and Woolworths .
The hail lay to a depth of about 4 in (10 cm) in some places around Mt Maunganui.
The hail fell for 20 minutes.
A car had to be dug out of hail after it became stuck while driving south down Oceanbeach Road. The hail was up past the bottom of the car doors.
Oceanbeach Road was closed between Girven Road and Concorde Ave.
Some people rode boogie boards or snowboards over the sand dunes.
Flooding
Several shops in the Bayfair Shopping Centre were flooded. Some homes in the area were also flooded.
Traffic was severely disrupted in the Mt Maunganui town centre due to flooding.
Multi Hazard
Roads around the Bayfair Shopping Centre were closed due to hail and surface flooding. Hail blocked drains, preventing the heavy rain from draining away.
Mt Maunganui firefighters attended a dozen call-outs involving flooding, fallen trees and a damaged roof at the Bayfair Shopping Centre.
Tornado
One waterspout about 2 km or 3 km off Mount Maunganui was estimated to be 500 m across. It touched down about three times, on one occasion for probably 5-10 minutes.
Hail
at
Ohiwa Harbour
Hail completely covered the mudflats of Ohiwa Harbour.
Multi Hazard
at
Ohope
On the Ohope Hill, traffic was brought to a standstill after a car rolled in slippery conditions, with hail and ice on the road.
At an Ocean Road property, the plastic roof over the dining was wrecked by hail and strong winds.
A transformer was blown at Otarawairere, necessitating a temporary generator to supply electricity to nearby homes.
Some roads were affected by surface flooding and hail.
Hail
In some parts of Ohope the hail was up to 12 cm deep on the 11th. One resident still had 2 in (5 cm) of ice in his backyard at midday on the 12th.
The hail completely covered roofs.
Flooding
Some Ohope houses were flooded after water got into the ceilings due to gutters blocked by hail. Water also flowed down the inside of Ohope Beach School’s hall.
Flooding
at
Papamoa
Serious surface flooding occurred at Papamoa.
Several houses in the Papamoa area were flooded, with at least one receiving damage.
Hail
Hail on Papamoa Beach Road, near Domain Road, made driving hazardous.
The hail in Tara Road was up to the bottom of a patrol car.
Some residents reported minor damage to roofs and garages from the hail.
Snow / Ice
On the 12th, there was a buildup of ice on the shoulder of several roads in Papamoa.
Multi Hazard
At Papamoa primary School, a block of classrooms and a teacher resource room were flooded on the 11th after hail caused the roof to cave in. The school was closed on the 12th, and on the 13th more than 90 children had to be taught in a temporary classroom inside the hall. The weight of the hail also bent a metal support pole of a shade sail.
Lightning
at
Paroa
Lightning struck a fuse box at Paroa School.
Lightning
at
Tauranga
A yacht berthed at Tauranga's Bridge Marina was struck by lightning on the 11th. It only suffered from a few problems with electrical gear.
Heavy Rain
Tauranga Airport had recorded 11.6 mm (1.2 cm) of rain by early afternoon on the 11th.
Tauranga Airport recorded 7 mm (0.7 cm) of rain in one particularly heavy burst on the 11th.
Flooding
at
Te Puke
Serious surface flooding occurred at Te Puke.
Lightning
Lightning struck the Powerco electricity network at about 12.10pm on the 11th, cutting power to 400 homes in Te Puke. Power was restored to 350 customers by 3pm and the was expected to be restored to the remaining 50 customers on the morning of the 12th.
Hail
A second hail storm struck right over Te Puke on the evening of the 11th.
Hail
at
Thornton
Large hail stones blanketed the Thornton area, including the sand dunes, on the 11th.
Hail stones 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter were reported in Thornton.
Lightning
at
Whakatane
At Whakatane High School, the main telephone system was fried by a lighting strike.
At least two tall trees in Whakatane were struck by lightning. A 25-metre-high redwood tree at the far end of Landing Road was struck, making a deafening roar throughout the neighbourhood and sending branches and debris crashing through a garage. Debris from the tree was found at least 100m away. The lightning also surged through household appliances, rendering a television and washing machine unworkable. A large pine at the back of a Douglas Street property was also split by a lightning strike.
Taranaki
Lightning
at
Taranaki
A band of thunderstorms brought hundreds of lightning strikes over Taranaki on the morning of the 8th.
There were up to 200 lightning strikes from about 6am.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Taranaki
Mount Taranaki received 12 cm of snow overnight on the 10th/11th.
Snow / Ice
at
Pouakai Range
Snow fell on the Pouakai Ranges overnight on the 10th/11th.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Desert Road
The Desert Road on State Highway 1 had to be cleared after sleet and snow showers.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Ruapehu
At Mount Ruapehu, about 60 cm of snow fell at Turoa Skifield and 50 cm at Whakapapa Skifield.
Canterbury
Multi Hazard
at
Canterbury
Cantebrury experienced snow, sleet, hail and rain on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
On the 10th snow fell to about 300m on Banks Peninsula, the higher Canterbury Plains, the foothills and in parts of inland South Canterbury.
Snow / Ice
at
Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass was closed to towing vehicles on the morning of the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Fairlie
Snow fell at Fairlie on the morning of the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Geraldine
Light snow fell in Geraldine on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Methven
Methven had snow flurries on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Cook
Mountt Cook Village had received around 10 cm of snow by late afternoon on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Dobson Skifield
Mount Dobson recorded 38 cm of snow.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Hutt Skifield
Mount Hutt Skifield received a snowfall of 25 cm on the 10th.
The ski area received more than 170 cm of snow in the 10 days up to the 12th.
Skifield workers had never seen so much snow so early in the year.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Somers
Mount Somers received a couple of centimetres of snow on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Porter Heights Skifield
Porter Heights Skifield had 40 cm of snow in the car park.
Porter Heights Skifield had 1.5 m of snow at the top of the mountain.
Porter's general manager said he had not seen such conditions in May in 20 years.
Snow / Ice
at
Springfield
Springfield had snow flurries on the 10th.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Otago
Snow fell on the foothills around West Otago on the 10th.
About 5 in (13 cm) of snow covered roads and paddocks in parts of Otago.
State Highway 87 from Outram to Middlemarch was closed late on the morning of the 10th, reopened about 2pm, and closed again from about 5pm through to the morning of the 11th because of ice.
Temperatures around the region dropped to lows of 2degC and below on the 10th and 11th.
Flooding
Some roads were affected by flooding from the 12th. Water had receded from most roads by the 15th.
State Highway 90 from Raes Junction to Tapanui was affected by flooding at Crookston.
The lower Clutha River was running high with flood waters from the Pomahaka River.
Snow / Ice
at
Arrowtown
There were reports of snow around Arrowtown on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Arthurs Point
An Arthurs Point resident received 6 cm of snow around his hilltop home overnight on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Athol
Athol received 15-20 cm of snow overnight on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Balclutha
The Clutha River at Balclutha was flowing at 936 cumecs at 4pm on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Caberfeidh
Flooding occurred at the bottom of Caberfeidh Hill on the 12th.
Snow / Ice
at
Cardrona
The Cardrona Skifield received a snowfall of about 10-15cm.
Snow / Ice
at
Clarks Junction
Two Dunedin motorcyclists had to spend the night of the 10th at Mt Gowrie Station, near State Highway 87, about 2km north of Clarks Junction, after conditions made it to hazardous to return to Dunedin.
A motorcyclist was flown to Dunedin Hospital with minor head and arm injuries after slipping in icy conditions on the Clarks Junction-Lee Stream Road, about 2 km south of Clarks Junction, just before 4pm on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Clydevale
MacFarlane Road remained closed on the 14th.
Snow / Ice
at
Coronet Peak Skifield
The top of the mountain at Coronet Peak Skifield received 25 cm of snow overnight on the 10th/11th.
The base of Coronet Peak Skifield received 15 cm of snow overnight on the 10th/11th.
Multi Hazard
at
Dunedin
A woman underwent surgery for head injuries after she was hit by a car while crossing Hillside Road in South Dunedin at about 7:50am on the 12th. Atrocious weather conditions, including heavy rain, at the time were thought to be a factor.
Heavy Rain
Sports grounds at Logan Park, the Oval, Tonga Park and Bathgate Park were closed on the 12th because of surface water. All Dunedin grounds were closed to sports training on the night of the 14th.
Dunedin City recorded 45 mm (4.5 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 3pm on the 12th.
Flooding
At Heffs Hotel in South Dunedin, an old plastic ball became lodged in a downpipe, forcing the rainwater through the roof and flooding the floor of the pokie room. The hotel faced tens of thousands of dollars in damage and lost revenue, with carpets having to be cleaned, wiring checked and the pokie room closed for at least two days.
The floor of the bar and pokie room was covered in several centimetres of water.
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport recorded 35 mm (3.5 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 3pm on the 12th.
Snow / Ice
at
Garston
Garston received 15-20 cm of snow overnight on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Kingston
Kingston received 10-12 cm of snow on the night of the 10th.
Flooding
at
Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea was at a level of 345 m on the 14th - 1m below its maximum capacity.
Flooding
at
Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu was at a level of 306.93 m above sea level on the 14th - about 1m below the first flood warning level.
Snow / Ice
at
Lee Stream
Lee Stream School was closed on the 11th due to the snowfall on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Lindis Pass
Lindis Pass was closed to towing vehicles on the morning of the 10th and snow cosed the road to all vehicles on the night of the 10th.
Three tour buses, carrying more than 80 tourists, were stranded on slippery, snowy roads on the Lindis Pass for several hours from about 7pm on the 10th. They were heading from Omarama towards Wanaka.
Multi Hazard
at
Milton
Five roads in the Milton area were closed or partially closed on the 12th, including Allison Road, Remote Road and Akatore Road, which was closed from Big Creek Road.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Hutt Skifield
Mount Hutt Skifield received around 40-50 cm of snow
Heavy Rain
at
Oamaru
Oamaru recorded 3.2 mm (0.3 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 3pm on the 12th.
Snow / Ice
at
Queenstown
Snow fell on the foothills around Queenstown on the 10th.
Multi Hazard
Most Air New Zealand and Qantas flights to and from Queenstown International Airport were cancelled on the 11th due to low cloud. Two flights also had to be diverted elsewhere.
Queenstown recorded a maximum temperature of 4 degC on the 10th.
Heavy Rain
Queenstown recorded 9.8 mm (1.0 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 3pm on the 12th.
Snow / Ice
at
Ranfurly
A fundraising concert and mock accident in Ranfurly involving emergency services from all over the district had to be cancelled on the 9th due to snow.
About 6 cm of snow lay in Ranfurly on the 11th.
Snow / Ice
at
Remarkables Ski Field
The Remarkables Ski Area received 20 cm of snow overnight on the 10th/11th.
The Remarkables Ski Area received 55 cm of snow from the 6th to the 11th.
Multi Hazard
at
Silver Peaks
Nine trampers had to spend the night of the 8th in snow flurries, strong winds and freezing temperatures after becoming disoriented in the Silver Peaks. They had ventured out unprepared despite a weather forecast for snow. Five of the trampers were taken to Dunedin Hospital suffering from hypothermia.
Flooding
at
Toko Mouth
Toko Mouth was cut off when Toko Mouth Road was closed on the 12th due to the rising waters of the lower Tokomairiro River. Access was restored on the afternoon of the 14th after nearly three days.
Flooding
at
Tokoiti
Elliotvale Road was closed from Tokoiti from the 12th to the 14th.
Snow / Ice
at
Treble Cone Skifield
The Treble Cone Skifield received a snowfall of about 15cm overnight on the 10th/11th.
Multi Hazard
at
Wanaka
Wanaka recorded a maximum temperature of 4 degC on the 10th.
Southland
Snow / Ice
at
Southland
Snow fell on the foothills around Southland on the 10th.
Motorists had to drive with care on State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound because of snow.
Flooding
Many Southland rivers were running high on the 13th.
Surface flooding caused havoc on roads in Southland on the 14th after days of heavy rain. Five roads were closed and there were flooding warning signs up on at least 10 others. State Highway 99 between Invercargill and Riverton was closed at Underwood at 4pm on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Avondale
Avondale Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Branxholme
Flooding signs were being put up on Branxholm-Makarewa Road when water reached the edges of the seal on each side of bridge and was still rising.
Flooding
at
Browns
Hodgkinson Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Brydone
Water covered about 35 m of State Highway 1 at Lowburn bridge, south of Mataura, on the 14th. The wetlands adjacent to the highway were swollen.
The water was up to 60 cm deep in some places.
Two cars aqua-planed off the road just before 4am on the 14th and became partially submerged, but there were no injuries.
Flooding
at
Dipton
Bell Road and Byrie Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Dipton West
South Hillend Dipton Road had flooding signs up.
Heavy Rain
at
Gore
The Gore area received around 50 mm (5.0 cm) of rain.
Flooding
In the Gore District, several small roads were closed and there was surface flooding throughout the area, most of it caused by floods in the headwaters of the Mataura River and Waikaka Stream.
Multi Hazard
Gore recorded a maximum temperature of 5 degC on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Gorge Road
Holz Road was under water, with flooding signs erected on the 14th and 15th. Fleming Road was closed on the 15th.
Flooding
at
Grove Bush
Horman Road and North Makarewa Grove Bush Road at Macadam Road were closed on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Hedgehope
Millar Road had flooding signs up.
Multi Hazard
at
Invercargill
Invercargill recorded a maximum temperature of 5 degC on the 10th.
Heavy Rain
Invercargill Airport recorded 62.8 mm (6.3 cm) of rain from 12am on the 10th to 3pm on the 13th.
Flooding
at
Mabel Bush
Rakahouka-Hedgehope Road was closed from Yorke Road south to the bridge boundary.
Flooding
at
Makarewa
State Highway 6 near the Makarewa freezing works was down to one lane at lunchtime on the 14th due to flooding.
Flooding
at
Makarewa Junction
Counsell Road was closed between Helena Road and Mill Road North. North Makarewa Grove Bush Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Makarewa River
The Makarewa River reached its fourth highest flood peak on record on the morning of the 15th. The river reached the first flood alarm level on the afternoon of the 14th.
Widespread flooding occurred in the rural Makarewa catchment after heavy rain in the area.
Heavy Rain
The headwaters of the Makarewa River in the Hokonui Hills received about 116 mm (11.6 cm) of rain in the week up to the 14th.
Flooding
at
Mandeville
Otapiri Mandeville Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Mataura
Flooding left the Mataura hockey turf covered in silt.
Flooding
at
Mataura Island
Mataura Island Titiroa Road was closed due to flooding on the 14th and remained closed on the 15th.
Flooding
at
McNab
McGibbon Road at McNab was still closed due to flooding on the 14th.
Snow / Ice
at
Nightcaps
Snow fell at Nightcaps on the 10th.
Snow / Ice
at
Ohai
Snow fell at Ohai on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Otapiri
Otapiri Boggyburn Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Otapiri Gorge
Otapiri Gorge Road, Lora Gorge Road, Lora River Road and Hall Road had flooding signs up on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Pukemutu
Hishon Road had flooding signs up.
Flooding
at
Taramoa
Taramoa West Plains Road had flooding signs up on the 14th and was later closed, and remained closed on the 15th.
Flooding
at
Tokanui
Flooding closed Tokanui Gorge Road Highway on the 14th and 15th. On afternoon of the 15th, the water level had not dropped even though high tide was at 5:30am.
Flooding
at
Tussock Creek
Tussock Creek Road had flooding signs up.
The Makarewa River at Tussock Creek was 3.9 m above normal on the 13th.
Landslide
at
Waiarikiki
Venlaw Road was blocked by a small slip on the 14th.
Flooding
Waiarikiki Road was still closed due to flooding on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Waikaka
McGregor Road was still closed due to flooding on the 14th.
Flooding
at
Wallacetown
There was water across State Highway 99 on the Lorneville-Wallacetown Highway, at McInerney Creek.
References
- Headline: Wintry blast chills South Island.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 10 May 2009, 6:12pm.
- Headline: Bay Of Plenty hit by massive storm.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News and NZPA, 11 May 2009, 2:38pm.
- Headline: Shopping centre evacuated as wild weather hits Tauranga.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 11 May 2009, 5:40pm.
- Headline: Storms wreak havoc in parts of Bay of Plenty.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 11 May 2009.
- Headline: Roads chaos: Car stuck as hail blocks routes.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 12 May 2009.
- Headline: Bay counts cost of ice storm.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, Source: Bay of Plenty Times and NZPA, 13 May 2009.
- Headline: Lightning strikes Bay couple's boat in marina.
- www.hbtoday.co.nz, 12 May 2009.
- Headline: Hunker down this weekend.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 6 May 2009, 7:20am.
- Headline: Thunder band moves north.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 8 May 2009, 11:19am.
- Headline: More snow on Sth Island passes.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 9 May 2009, 9:32am.
- Headline: Weather systems collide.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 9 May 2009, 2:20pm.
- Headline: Snow rolls in across both islands.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 10 May 2009, 2:12pm.
- Headline: Ski field well covered.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 5:16am.
- Headline: Snow traps tourists for several hours.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 9:57am.
- Headline: Thunderstorm brings flooding and twisters.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 12:48pm.
- Headline: Hail leaves Bay of Plenty whitened.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 2:03pm.
- Headline: Chaotic weather in the north.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 3:03pm.
- Headline: Mall reopens after hail drama.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 8:04am.
- Headline: Flood alert in Otago.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 14 May 2009, 3:16pm.
- Headline: Hail storm hits as wintry weather batters country.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Soucre: NZ Herald and NZPA, 11 May 2009, 1:02pm.
- Headline: Residents stunned as freak hail storm, tornadoes hit BOP.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Soucre: NZ Herald and NZPA, 11 May 2009, 3:28pm.
- Headline: Freak hail storm rocks BOP – Auckland, Nth Island also hit hard.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 11 May 2009, 5:26pm.
- Headline: An icy blast - and more on the way.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Cold night out for trampers.
- www.odt.co.nz, 9 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Two major events cancelled due to snow.
- www.odt.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 4:55am.
- Headline: Icy conditions deter motorcyclists.
- www.odt.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Rescued trampers 'were ill-prepared'.
- www.odt.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Tour buses stranded by weather.
- www.odt.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Early snow disrupts travel but gives skifields hope.
- www.odt.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Weather likely factor in accident.
- www.odt.co.nz, 13 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Floods leave Southland roads awash.
- www.odt.co.nz, 14 May 2009, 12:16pm.
- Headline: Floodwater closes roads, more closures possible.
- www.odt.co.nz, 15 May 2009, 5:01am.
- Headline: Wet, with more rain forecast.
- www.odt.co.nz, 15 May 2009, 5:03am.
- Headline: Roads open as weather eases.
- www.odt.co.nz, 15 May 2009, 1:33pm.
- Headline: Lightning storm over Taranaki.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 8 May 2009, 10:11am.
- Headline: Snow warning issued for Porters Pass.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 8 May 2009, 10:59am.
- Headline: Caution urged as snow falls on South Island roads.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 10 May 2009, 10:40am.
- Headline: Flooded Bay of Plenty mall evacuated.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 4:19pm.
- Headline: Tordadoes reported in upper North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 4:20pm.
- Headline: Flooded Bay of Plenty mall evacuated.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 6:05pm.
- Headline: Wild weather batters upper North Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 6:59am.
- Headline: Cars aqua-plane off flooded road.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 14 May 2009, 8:05am.
- Headline: Alert: Severe weather in Bay of Plenty District.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: New Zealand Police, 11 May 2009, 12:14pm.
- Headline: Thunder Storms in Bay of Plenty District.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: New Zealand Police, 11 May 2009, 5:10pm.
- Headline: Bayfair Shopping Centre Reopens.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Bayfair Shopping Centre, 12 May 2009, 11:33am.
- Headline: Mall evacuated in Tauranga.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 12:17pm.
- Headline: Wild weather in Tauranga.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 2:13pm.
- Headline: Wild weather hits North.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 11 May 2009, 3:07pm.
- Headline: BOP kiwifruit growers assess damage.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 9:54am.
- Headline: Hail fears for kiwifruit growers.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 12 May 2009, 10:03am.
- Headline: Mainland braces for rough weather.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 14 May 2009, 12:51pm.
- Headline: Snow's up for winter surfers.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Hail costs kiwifruit growers $10m.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 21 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Storm stumps forecasters.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 8 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Sunny days are here again ....
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Ski-fields get ready to open.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Tornado sweeps through Warkworth.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Rodney Times, 11 May 2009, 3:09pm.
- Headline: More icy weather tipped for south.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Big dump of snow wakes up the powder hounds.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Cold snap to continue.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Rivers rising as rain gauge blows its top.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 14 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: More rain predicted.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 15 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Turf cleaned up after floods.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Southland Times, 16 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Ski-field set to open lower slopes.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Grab the thermals, wintry weather is here to stay.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Timaru Herald, 11 May 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Cold front ends Waikato's autumn glow.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Waikato Times, 11 May 2009, 10:00am.
- Headline: South Island ski-fields loving snow dump.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 10 May 2009, 7:52pm.
- Headline: Storm blasts Bay of Plenty.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 11 May 2009, 2:55pm.
- Headline: Cold, snow tipped after twisters, hail.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 12 May 2009, 9:11am.
- Headline: Flooding Concentrated On The Makarewa Catchment.
- www.voxy.co.nz, 15 May 2009, 1:0pm.
- Headline: Wild weather causes chaos for emergency services.
- www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz, 12 May 2009.
- Headline: Extreme weather brings crazy scenes… and more to come.
- www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz, 13 May 2009.
- Headline: Lightning-damaged redwood tree removed.
- www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz, 13 May 2009.
- MetService Email Lists
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (www.icnz.org.nz/current/weather)