Significant Cold Outbreak to Blast up the Country

MetService News Release
7 September 2016

Significant Cold Outbreak to Blast up the Country Today And Thursday

Although we’re already into the second week of spring, during the next few days it will feel like we’ve plunged back into winter. A cold front will race up the country today and early Thursday, bringing a period of bitterly cold southerly gales which are expected to be severe in some eastern areas, including Wellington.

MetService Meteorologist Peter Little commented, “The cold southerly wind following this front is expected to arrive with a bang. This type of abrupt southerly change could also produce thunderstorms and hail, and is commonly known as a southerly buster.”

Isobars for 11pm Wednesday

The front may run up the country but the strong cold southerly winds stick around through Thursday, increasing wind chill which is a concern for vulnerable livestock. These severe southerly gales and cold temperatures will also bring snow showers down to 200 metres in southern parts and 100 metres in eastern parts of the South Island, and to around 300 metres over the southern half of the North Island. This combination of snow and strong winds could produce blizzard-like conditions about the hills and ranges, especially over the lower South Island, which can cause poor visibility and snow drifts.

“Both the Crown Range Road and Milford Road have already seen snow this morning, and several more South Island roads will likely be affected by snowfall later today. The North Island doesn’t escape this wintry blast either, with a Warning for Heavy Snow in place for the central North Island, including the Desert Road, during Thursday,” added Mr Little.

These southerly gales will also whip up large waves in the New Zealand region. Mr Little went on to say, “Heavy swells of 5 to 6 metres or more are forecast to affect many coastlines during this event, including eastern coasts of the South Island right up to Wellington. These swells combined with gale force winds will make for dangerous coastal conditions and could cause erosion in some places.”

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