Which city cops the harshest weather?

Home > News > Which city cops the harshest weather?...

Which city cops the harshest weather?

3/03/2013 8:22pm

> From the WeatherWatch archives

We’re in the middle of a prolonged dry spell so stormy skies have been rare over the last couple of months but when the weather gets properly underway which city gets hammered the hardest?

Now there might be one or two more obvious contenders – such as Invergargill.
This southern city does have a bit of a reputation for strong winds, frequent showers and chilly temperatures at any stage of the year…but is the exception or a general rule?

Over the years readers have mentioned Palmerston North as being rather bleak but we also think Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington in a decent southerly isn’t a great time to venture outdoors.

Auckland has its fair share of rainy spells and windy days. In Winter or Spring showers can fall for days on end which makes life quite uncomfortable when trying to make plans for any outdoor events.

New Plymouth is exposed to the west and can be hit by some fairly feirce conditions from time to time.
Winds blow in from the Tasman and driving rain can be almost horizontal on some days.

So whether its wind, rain, hail, sleet or even snow which city across the country is often on the edge or right in the middle of things?

We’d like to get your take on it and feel free to comment.

Homepage image of swollen Leith stream, Dunedin with a keen participant. Is Dunedin our stormiest city?

WeatherWatch.co.nz

Comments

Before you add a new comment, take note this story was published on 3 Mar 2013.

Add new comment

Anne on 4/03/2013 9:46am

I live in Auckland but would have to say Wellington which cops a fare share of bad weather along with some “white knuckle” landings experienced by people I know. It’s not called Windy Wellington for nothing. Cook Strait acts like a wind tunnel. I’ve experienced the wind and an earthquake in Wellington and that wind has ice in it.

Reply

WW Forecast Team on 4/03/2013 5:49pm

Thanks Anne and yes some hairly times at the airport in Wellington can live long in the memory!

Appreciate you taking time to vote.

Cheers

WW

Reply

Zelda Wynn on 4/03/2013 5:08am

My late seafaring Dad reckoned Bluff was the most severe in winter.

Reply

WW Forecast Team on 4/03/2013 5:49pm

Bluff would make a lot of sense and it sure can get wild. Thanks Zelda

Reply

Chris J on 4/03/2013 2:55am

After some thought about Wellington, I’m actually voting Auckland. It has weather that kills – fatalities.

Reply

Guest on 4/03/2013 1:42am

City with least sunshine hours, most rain, most days of high wind, most days of extreme heat (Whatever a threshold for uncomfortable heat might be?). Most days of snowfall, frosts, or below freezing temps. Also high humidity – mugginess is another unpleasant weather factor.

I think all the main centres will trade blows on main of these and the winner/loser hard to pick.

Reply

WW Forecast Team on 4/03/2013 5:47pm

Yes a number of factors there alright and thanks.

Which city do you nominate?

Thanks

WW

Reply

sw on 4/03/2013 12:01am

Depends on wind direction,Invercargill in a WSW,Christchurch in a ENE,Wellington in a SSE,Auckland in a SW,Greymouth in a NE,(NW flow) New Plymouth in a NW,Whangarei in an E,Nelson in a northerly,Gisborne in a southerly all get their worst directions.

Reply

RW on 3/03/2013 11:59pm

Presumably flooding events aren’t included – otherwise nowhere is completely spared over long time periods. For me, shortish epsiodes of “harsh” conditions are more bearable than much longer spells of gloomy, wet/showery weather.

Reply

View more comments