NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
November 1876 Otago Hail ( 1876-11-11 )
Otago
Multi Hazard
at
Dunedin
A storm with thunder, lightning, torrential rain and hail visited the Dunedin district on the 11th.
The morning began sultry with heavy clouds and a light variable northerly breeze. Towards noon masses of thunder clouds came from the northwest, bringing the storm over the hills towards the town. Another thunder cloud and downpour came up from the southwest across the harbour to meet the first one. The two clouds appeared to meet at the upper end of the Peninsula, and then a deulge of hail poured down.
The storm lasted for over an hour.
Lightning
There was lightning of intense brilliancy.
Hail
The hail stones averaged the size of marbles, while some were 1 in (2.5 cm) long and proportionately thick.
The hail stones made an extraordinary noise as the struck the water, like the crackling of rifle fire.
The hail fell for about 20 minutes.
In some places the hail covered the ground to a depth of 1 ft (30.5 cm)
Much damage was done. Some windows were broken.
Fruit trees in the path of the hail were partially stripped of leaves and fruit.
Poultry suffered, with broods of chickens destroyed by the hail.
Lightning
at
Otago Peninsula
The chimney of a cottage on the Peninsula was struck by lightning and partly destroyed.
References
- Headline: Tremendous thunderstorm in Dunedin.
- paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: North Otago Times, 15 November 1876.
November 1876 Otago Hail ( 1876-11-11 )
Otago
Multi Hazard
at
Dunedin
A storm with thunder, lightning, torrential rain and hail visited the Dunedin district on the 11th.
The morning began sultry with heavy clouds and a light variable northerly breeze. Towards noon masses of thunder clouds came from the northwest, bringing the storm over the hills towards the town. Another thunder cloud and downpour came up from the southwest across the harbour to meet the first one. The two clouds appeared to meet at the upper end of the Peninsula, and then a deulge of hail poured down.
The storm lasted for over an hour.
Lightning
There was lightning of intense brilliancy.
Hail
The hail stones averaged the size of marbles, while some were 1 in (2.5 cm) long and proportionately thick.
The hail stones made an extraordinary noise as the struck the water, like the crackling of rifle fire.
The hail fell for about 20 minutes.
In some places the hail covered the ground to a depth of 1 ft (30.5 cm)
Much damage was done. Some windows were broken.
Fruit trees in the path of the hail were partially stripped of leaves and fruit.
Poultry suffered, with broods of chickens destroyed by the hail.
Lightning
at
Otago Peninsula
The chimney of a cottage on the Peninsula was struck by lightning and partly destroyed.
References
- Headline: Tremendous thunderstorm in Dunedin.
- paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: North Otago Times, 15 November 1876.