Post by Bishopdale Weather on Jun 5, 2012 18:41:14 GMT 12
NZ NewswireUpdated June 5, 2012, 2:20 pm
Canterbury and Marlborough are expected to be hammered by the first proper polar blast of winter, with heavy snow forecast over the next couple of days.
Snow may be more than 80cm deep in places, as the MetService forecasts a likely "highly significant snow event" for the provinces.
It could be tough for livestock and the heavy snow could also damage powerlines.
Heavy rain is also expected for Westland, Buller and Nelson, and police in the South Island are warning motorists to slow down and even think about delaying their trip.
"Drivers need to be aware that while the snow will be a clearly visible hazard, there may be large areas of ice on the roads later that they will not be able to see - especially in rural and shaded areas," Inspector Al Stewart, Canterbury road policing manager said.
WeatherWatch.co.nz says Christchurch city may also see snow total 15-20cm by late on Wednesday if sea level temperatures remain bitterly cold.
"This is what can happen and can be a bit of a forecaster's nightmare," according to WeatherWatch forecaster Richard Green."
The MetService says a sharp front will bring the snow, but another front associated with the deep low moving onto central New Zealand late Wednesday is expected to bring a burst of heavy rain to the eastern Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne.
Gale force northerlies are likely over parts of Taranaki, Wanganui and Taihape with gusts of 130km/h possible in exposed places.
Southeasterlies are expected to rise to severe gales in Nelson, Buller and the north of Westland on Wednesday morning, gusting 130 km/h in exposed places.
The severe gale warning for Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Wairarapa and Marlborough has been cancelled
nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/13867069/winter-storms-set-to-hammer-the-country/
Canterbury and Marlborough are expected to be hammered by the first proper polar blast of winter, with heavy snow forecast over the next couple of days.
Snow may be more than 80cm deep in places, as the MetService forecasts a likely "highly significant snow event" for the provinces.
It could be tough for livestock and the heavy snow could also damage powerlines.
Heavy rain is also expected for Westland, Buller and Nelson, and police in the South Island are warning motorists to slow down and even think about delaying their trip.
"Drivers need to be aware that while the snow will be a clearly visible hazard, there may be large areas of ice on the roads later that they will not be able to see - especially in rural and shaded areas," Inspector Al Stewart, Canterbury road policing manager said.
WeatherWatch.co.nz says Christchurch city may also see snow total 15-20cm by late on Wednesday if sea level temperatures remain bitterly cold.
"This is what can happen and can be a bit of a forecaster's nightmare," according to WeatherWatch forecaster Richard Green."
The MetService says a sharp front will bring the snow, but another front associated with the deep low moving onto central New Zealand late Wednesday is expected to bring a burst of heavy rain to the eastern Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne.
Gale force northerlies are likely over parts of Taranaki, Wanganui and Taihape with gusts of 130km/h possible in exposed places.
Southeasterlies are expected to rise to severe gales in Nelson, Buller and the north of Westland on Wednesday morning, gusting 130 km/h in exposed places.
The severe gale warning for Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Wairarapa and Marlborough has been cancelled
nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/13867069/winter-storms-set-to-hammer-the-country/