Exceptionally Cold Outbreak to Spread Over NZ - 12/8/11

Issued: 11:09am Friday 12 August 2011

SPECIAL WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHLAND, AUCKLAND, WAIKATO, COROMANDEL PENINSULA, WAITOMO, BAY OF PLENTY ROTORUA, TAUMARUNUI, TAUPO, TAIHAPE, GISBORNE, HAWKES BAY, WAIRARAPA, TARANAKI, WANGANUI, MANAWATU, WELLINGTON, MARLBOROUGH, NELSON, BULLER, WESTLAND, FIORDLAND, CANTERBURY, OTAGO, SOUTHLAND

ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 11:09am Friday 12-Aug-2011

Another Exceptionally Cold Outbreak to Spread Over New Zealand This Coming Weekend

MEDIA STATEMENT

A very cold outbreak, rivalling that of late July, still looks on track to spread over the country at the weekend.

On Saturday, a very cold southerly airstream should start moving onto the South Island. This southerly outbreak will then move over the rest of the South Island to reach the southern North Island by Sunday night.

There are still some uncertainties as to snow amounts, and to exactly how low the snow will fall. Highest confidence at this stage is for significant snowfalls in southern Fiordland, Southland, and Otago, on Monday, right down to sea level. Further north, snow will probably fall to sea level in Canterbury,but amounts and extent of the snowfall remain uncertain. Snow-laden air will spread over the North Island on Monday, but there is still some uncertainty as to exactly how low the snow will fall and in what amounts.

The southerlies are expected to become strong in many places, and up to gale force in the east of the South Island, also Wellington and Wairarapa, adding to the windchill.

This very cold outbreak is likely to cause significant disruption to the country.

Snow is likely to affect traffic on many roads in the South Island,and also for roads in southern, central and eastern parts of the North Island.

Livestock are expected to come under extreme stress from significant windchills and farmers are urged to take necessary precautions. This will be a longer-lasting and therefore a more threatening event for stock than the last one. Although temperatures will start to recover a little on Tuesday, cold showery conditions are expected right through to Thursday, with winds moderating only slowly.

Large sea waves from the south or southwest are expected to arrive on parts of the New Zealand coast, particularly eastern coasts of the South Island, and the south coast of the North Island. Members of the public are urged to keep up to date with the latest weather information, since watches and warnings are likely to be issued as we get closer to this event.

The next Special Weather Advisory will be issued by 09:47 Saturday 13-Aug-2011

ENDS

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