Data From The Extreme Storm

Issued by MetService at 12:24pm 16-Feb-2004

Data From The Extreme Storm

MetService Weather Ambassador Bob McDavitt described today's storm as extreme and one which delivered more than it promised.

"The storm was most unseasonable and proved to be difficult. During Sunday night a burst of cold air from the Antarctic ice shelf came north while moist air from a weak tropical low came south. These two ingredients were able to mix together over the North Island and bring wind and rain on a scale that is only seen about once every ten years."

Storm force winds lasted for 29 hours in Cook Strait, and a peak gust of 167 km/hr was measured at Beacon Hill early this morning. Sustained winds over 100 km/hr affected Wanganui and Castlepoint, and gusts to around 100 km/hr hit Auckland and Kaikoura last night During Sunday and up until noon on Monday the Orongoronga, Tararua and Rimutuka ranges received over 200mm of rain, and the MetService rain gauge at Waiouru measured 148mm.

More unsettled weather is likely later this week. Cold air is now arriving in the southern ocean and this is expected to bring vigorous westerly winds over New Zealand, with periods of heavy rain possible by Thursday on the Southern Alps and severe gales for Wellington and in the east for southern Hawke's Bay to Otago.

ENDS

© Scoop Media