NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
October 2003 New Zealand Storm
(
2003-10-03
)
120
Heavy rain was experienced in parts of the North Island, and brought serious flooding to Paekakariki. A civil defence emergency was declared for the Kapiti Coast. There were associated snowfalls in the North Island and South Island high country. Four people were killed during the storm.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 3rd till the 5th of October.
A deepening low moved from the Tasman Sea onto New Zealand. An active trough extending from the low into the Tasman was preceded by a very strong moist northerly flow. A slow-moving convergence zone between northeast winds to the north and northwest winds to the south developed within a frontal conveyor belt in a very strong low level north to northwest flow.
The initial damage estimate across New Zealand, excluding Paekakariki, was $3.00 million ($3,495,700 2008 dollars).
Thousands of lambs were lost due to the extreme wind chill.
North Island
Heavy Rain
at
North Island
The Tararua Ranges recorded a 48-hour rainfall total in excess of 200-300 mm (20-30 cm) from the 3rd till the 4th.
Snow / Ice
On the 4th, snow settled down to 800 m on the Central Plateau.
South Island
Snow / Ice
at
South Island
On the 4th there were snowfalls in the South Island high country of Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
Snow fell down to 200m in the South Island high country.
Up to 30 cm of snow was deposited in some high country districts. Snow was 10 cm deep in many inland areas.
10-12cm of snow fell on the hill country along the Clinton-Mataura road overnight on the 5th.
Waikato
Flooding
at
Coroglen
An 18-year-old woman was washed away by flood waters at Coroglen on the 4th.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Motu
Motu received 177 mm (17.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Taranaki
Heavy Rain
at
Stratford
Stratford received 116 mm (11.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Taihape
There were snow flurries in Taihape on the 4th.
Heavy Rain
at
Taumarunui
Taumarunui received 101 mm (10.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Snow / Ice
There were snow flurries in Taumarunui on the 4th.
Wellington
Multi Hazard
at
Wellington
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Kapiti Coast District from 12:30am on the 4th until the 9th.
Wellington was cut off by road and rail services. SH1 and the main trunk railway north of Wellington were closed between Plimmerton and McKays Crossing, as well as other routes out of Wellington. Motorists were trapped on SH1.
Eight houses were left uninhabitable.
Maritime / Coastal
Two passenger ferries were cancelled.
Flooding
Severe flooding affected only a small area.
Snow / Ice
On the 4th there was a cold southerly change and dropping temperature.
Snow settled down to the Wellington Hill suburbs of Brooklyn, Karori and Broadmeadows on the 4th.
Snow / Ice
at
Kelburn
There were snow flurries in Kelburn.
Heavy Rain
at
Levin
Levin received 41.0 mm (4.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt received 78 mm (7.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Masterton
Masterton received 28 mm (2.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Multi Hazard
at
Paekakariki
Paekakariki experienced torrential rain and gale force winds on the 3rd, followed by major flooding and landslides.
A Civil Defence Emergency was in place in Paekakariki.
The storm in the Paekakariki area was a 125 year event.
Several families and more than 20 houses were evacuated.
A welfare centre was established.
The initial damage estimate for Paekakariki was $2.50 million ($2,913,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy Rain
Paekakariki was hit by a ferocious dumping of rain.
Paekakariki received 60 mm (6 cm) of rain in 1 hour on the 3rd.
Paekakariki received 82 mm (8.2 cm) of rain in 4 hours on the 3rd.
Paekakariki Hill received 119 mm (11.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
A private weather station 3-4km north of Paekakariki received 92 mm (9.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
The private weather station 3-4km north of Paekakariki received about 60 mm (6 cm) of rain in 6 hours.
The return period was estimated at greater than or equal to 120 years based on radar rain accumulation for the period 7am-10pm on the 3rd.
Flooding
Homes and properties were flooded. Almost every business was flooded and 21 houses were inundated.
Some houses the water was waist deep.
Eight houses were uninhabitable due to septic tank overflowing.
Damage was limited to Paekakariki town and Paekakariki Hill Road.
Two creeks on each side of the town had swollen and flooded the area.
There were health issues and sewerage problems as septic tanks overflowed.
Roads were turned into rivers.
Landslide
There was a huge land and mudslide across SH1 at Paekakariki. 10,000 cu m of gravel poured down Paekakariki Hill. High intensity rainfall associated with the approach of an active frontal system on the 3rd, after weeks of wet weather, contributing to the landslide.
There was a massive rockfall at Belvedere Motel on SH1. The volume of water, mud and gravel that swamped the motel was unbelievable, and the building was described as a "total write-off".
15 cm of muddy water flowed through the pub and a ute was buried up to its roof. An estimated 300 cubic metres of rock washed into the motel.
Heavy Rain
at
Paraparaumu
Paraparaumu received 55.8 mm (5.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Paremata
Blocked drains caused flooding to several shops and households in Paremata.
Multi Hazard
at
Rimutaka Hill
The Rimutaka Hill Road was closed.
Snow / Ice
at
Rimutaka Range
Snow fell on the Rimutaka Range and Orongorongo on the 4th.
Multi Hazard
at
Waikanae Beach
A cargo plane travelling from Christchurch to Palmerston North was caught in the storm over the Kapiti Coast and vanished from radars northwest of Waikanae Beach. Debris from the plane later washed up and the two men on board (50 and 57 years old) were killed.
Heavy Rain
at
Wallacevillle
Wallaceville recived 108 mm (10.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Canterbury
Maritime / Coastal
at
Kaikoura
A 90-year-old man drowned after his boat capsized at sea off Kaikoura.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Otago
Snow closed some roads in Otago on the morning of the 5th. Part of SH1 north of Dunedin was closed by 10-15cm of snow.
Snow / Ice
at
Cardrona Ski Field
Cardrona skifield was closed on the 5th.
The skifield had received up to 20 cm of snow from the 3rd to the 4th.
Snow / Ice
at
Clinton
Some of the heaviest snowfalls were in Clinton and the hill country along the Clinton-Mataura road.
Snow / Ice
at
Kaka Point
Up to 5 cm of snow fell in Kaka Point on the night of the 4th and flurries continued on the 5th.
Snow / Ice
at
Owaka
Up to 5 cm of snow fell in Owaka on the night of the 4th and flurries continued on the 5th.
Gibbs Hill was closed on the morning of the 5th due to snow.
Hail
Owaka also experienced hail.
Snow / Ice
at
Remarkables Ski Field
The Remarkables skifield was closed by blizzard conditions on the 5th.
Up to 50 cm of snow had falled at the skifield in three days.
Southland
Snow / Ice
at
Southland
Snow closed some roads in Southland on the morning of the 5th.
References
- Headline: Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies,
- Headline: Torrential rain closes roads, strands trains.
- The Dominion Post, October 4-5 2003.
- Headline: After the flood.
- The Dominion Post, October 6 2003.
- Headline: Rocks and rain deluge Paekakariki.
- The Dominion Post, October 6 2003.
- Headline: State of emergency enforced.
- The Dominion Post, October 6 2003.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall to 31st May 2006.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Snowstorms to 14 June 2006.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 95, December 2003.
- www.metservice/notable weather events.govt.nz
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Report: Hydrology and Meteorology of the Paekakariki storm - 3 October 2003.
- Headline: Worst of snow over.
- The Southland Times, 6 October 2003.
- Headline: Young woman washed away from boyfriend's grip.
- The Waikato Times, 6 October 2003.
October 2003 New Zealand Storm
(
2003-10-03
)
120
Heavy rain was experienced in parts of the North Island, and brought serious flooding to Paekakariki. A civil defence emergency was declared for the Kapiti Coast. There were associated snowfalls in the North Island and South Island high country. Four people were killed during the storm.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 3rd till the 5th of October.
A deepening low moved from the Tasman Sea onto New Zealand. An active trough extending from the low into the Tasman was preceded by a very strong moist northerly flow. A slow-moving convergence zone between northeast winds to the north and northwest winds to the south developed within a frontal conveyor belt in a very strong low level north to northwest flow.
The initial damage estimate across New Zealand, excluding Paekakariki, was $3.00 million ($3,495,700 2008 dollars).
Thousands of lambs were lost due to the extreme wind chill.
North Island
Heavy Rain
at
North Island
The Tararua Ranges recorded a 48-hour rainfall total in excess of 200-300 mm (20-30 cm) from the 3rd till the 4th.
Snow / Ice
On the 4th, snow settled down to 800 m on the Central Plateau.
South Island
Snow / Ice
at
South Island
On the 4th there were snowfalls in the South Island high country of Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
Snow fell down to 200m in the South Island high country.
Up to 30 cm of snow was deposited in some high country districts. Snow was 10 cm deep in many inland areas.
10-12cm of snow fell on the hill country along the Clinton-Mataura road overnight on the 5th.
Waikato
Flooding
at
Coroglen
An 18-year-old woman was washed away by flood waters at Coroglen on the 4th.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Motu
Motu received 177 mm (17.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Taranaki
Heavy Rain
at
Stratford
Stratford received 116 mm (11.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Taihape
There were snow flurries in Taihape on the 4th.
Heavy Rain
at
Taumarunui
Taumarunui received 101 mm (10.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Snow / Ice
There were snow flurries in Taumarunui on the 4th.
Wellington
Multi Hazard
at
Wellington
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Kapiti Coast District from 12:30am on the 4th until the 9th.
Wellington was cut off by road and rail services. SH1 and the main trunk railway north of Wellington were closed between Plimmerton and McKays Crossing, as well as other routes out of Wellington. Motorists were trapped on SH1.
Eight houses were left uninhabitable.
Maritime / Coastal
Two passenger ferries were cancelled.
Flooding
Severe flooding affected only a small area.
Snow / Ice
On the 4th there was a cold southerly change and dropping temperature.
Snow settled down to the Wellington Hill suburbs of Brooklyn, Karori and Broadmeadows on the 4th.
Snow / Ice
at
Kelburn
There were snow flurries in Kelburn.
Heavy Rain
at
Levin
Levin received 41.0 mm (4.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt received 78 mm (7.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Masterton
Masterton received 28 mm (2.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Multi Hazard
at
Paekakariki
Paekakariki experienced torrential rain and gale force winds on the 3rd, followed by major flooding and landslides.
A Civil Defence Emergency was in place in Paekakariki.
The storm in the Paekakariki area was a 125 year event.
Several families and more than 20 houses were evacuated.
A welfare centre was established.
The initial damage estimate for Paekakariki was $2.50 million ($2,913,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy Rain
Paekakariki was hit by a ferocious dumping of rain.
Paekakariki received 60 mm (6 cm) of rain in 1 hour on the 3rd.
Paekakariki received 82 mm (8.2 cm) of rain in 4 hours on the 3rd.
Paekakariki Hill received 119 mm (11.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
A private weather station 3-4km north of Paekakariki received 92 mm (9.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
The private weather station 3-4km north of Paekakariki received about 60 mm (6 cm) of rain in 6 hours.
The return period was estimated at greater than or equal to 120 years based on radar rain accumulation for the period 7am-10pm on the 3rd.
Flooding
Homes and properties were flooded. Almost every business was flooded and 21 houses were inundated.
Some houses the water was waist deep.
Eight houses were uninhabitable due to septic tank overflowing.
Damage was limited to Paekakariki town and Paekakariki Hill Road.
Two creeks on each side of the town had swollen and flooded the area.
There were health issues and sewerage problems as septic tanks overflowed.
Roads were turned into rivers.
Landslide
There was a huge land and mudslide across SH1 at Paekakariki. 10,000 cu m of gravel poured down Paekakariki Hill. High intensity rainfall associated with the approach of an active frontal system on the 3rd, after weeks of wet weather, contributing to the landslide.
There was a massive rockfall at Belvedere Motel on SH1. The volume of water, mud and gravel that swamped the motel was unbelievable, and the building was described as a "total write-off".
15 cm of muddy water flowed through the pub and a ute was buried up to its roof. An estimated 300 cubic metres of rock washed into the motel.
Heavy Rain
at
Paraparaumu
Paraparaumu received 55.8 mm (5.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Paremata
Blocked drains caused flooding to several shops and households in Paremata.
Multi Hazard
at
Rimutaka Hill
The Rimutaka Hill Road was closed.
Snow / Ice
at
Rimutaka Range
Snow fell on the Rimutaka Range and Orongorongo on the 4th.
Multi Hazard
at
Waikanae Beach
A cargo plane travelling from Christchurch to Palmerston North was caught in the storm over the Kapiti Coast and vanished from radars northwest of Waikanae Beach. Debris from the plane later washed up and the two men on board (50 and 57 years old) were killed.
Heavy Rain
at
Wallacevillle
Wallaceville recived 108 mm (10.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Canterbury
Maritime / Coastal
at
Kaikoura
A 90-year-old man drowned after his boat capsized at sea off Kaikoura.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Otago
Snow closed some roads in Otago on the morning of the 5th. Part of SH1 north of Dunedin was closed by 10-15cm of snow.
Snow / Ice
at
Cardrona Ski Field
Cardrona skifield was closed on the 5th.
The skifield had received up to 20 cm of snow from the 3rd to the 4th.
Snow / Ice
at
Clinton
Some of the heaviest snowfalls were in Clinton and the hill country along the Clinton-Mataura road.
Snow / Ice
at
Kaka Point
Up to 5 cm of snow fell in Kaka Point on the night of the 4th and flurries continued on the 5th.
Snow / Ice
at
Owaka
Up to 5 cm of snow fell in Owaka on the night of the 4th and flurries continued on the 5th.
Gibbs Hill was closed on the morning of the 5th due to snow.
Hail
Owaka also experienced hail.
Snow / Ice
at
Remarkables Ski Field
The Remarkables skifield was closed by blizzard conditions on the 5th.
Up to 50 cm of snow had falled at the skifield in three days.
Southland
Snow / Ice
at
Southland
Snow closed some roads in Southland on the morning of the 5th.
References
- Headline: Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies,
- Headline: Torrential rain closes roads, strands trains.
- The Dominion Post, October 4-5 2003.
- Headline: After the flood.
- The Dominion Post, October 6 2003.
- Headline: Rocks and rain deluge Paekakariki.
- The Dominion Post, October 6 2003.
- Headline: State of emergency enforced.
- The Dominion Post, October 6 2003.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall to 31st May 2006.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Snowstorms to 14 June 2006.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 95, December 2003.
- www.metservice/notable weather events.govt.nz
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Report: Hydrology and Meteorology of the Paekakariki storm - 3 October 2003.
- Headline: Worst of snow over.
- The Southland Times, 6 October 2003.
- Headline: Young woman washed away from boyfriend's grip.
- The Waikato Times, 6 October 2003.