> From the WeatherWatch archives
– North Island has sudden drop in temps
– Big frosts across the South Island
A reminder this morning that Winter still has a grip over New Zealand, as overnight lows plummet across the country. Northern regions had the biggest shock as temperatures tumbled by as much as 10 degrees compared to last weeks lows.
“Some parts of Auckland dipped to just 4 degrees this morning, which was unexpected” says the Radio Network’s head weather analyst Philip Duncan. “The cold weather was due to calm winds, cooler air and clear skies that followed a front that passed over last night, bringing heavy showers and thunder to Auckland around 6pm and southern Northland this morning”.
Yesterday’s weather also brought hail storms across the North Island, including one severe storm that hit Wanganui yesterday morning. Reports came in that Mitre 10 Mega lost up to 70 roof panels and hail blocked internal guttering and caused flooding inside. It was reported to the Weather Watch Centre that ice had to be shoveled off the roof.
This morning ice and snow are playing havoc on central North Island roads, with the Desert Road closed and ice, making alternate routes treacherous. Police are urging caution. It’s currently minus 2 in Waiouru.
Taupo is currently on zero degrees as is central Hawke’s Bay. Hamilton is a degree warmer on 1 along with New Plymouth, Hawera and Levin.
In the South Island it’s a frosty start to the day with temperatures as low as minus 3 and 4. Christchurch is shivering on minus 1 this morning, with minus 2 in Queenstown, however Queenstown’s “feels like” temperature is very chilly minus 5.
Duncan says winds will pick up tonight and tomorrow across New Zealand, meaning temperatures will increase over the next couple of days. “More spring-like temperatures should return to northern and eastern New Zealand by the weekend as a nor’wester kicks up ahead of a front”.
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Before you add a new comment, take note this story was published on 7 Aug 2007.
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