June 12th snowstorm - how does it rate?

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tich
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June 12th snowstorm - how does it rate?

Unread post by tich »

I remember a section in the NZ Natural History series (written early 70s), which dealt with severe storms in NZ since European settlement. the part about major snowstorms said that the major years for big snowstorms were 1867, 1895, 1903, 1939, and (November) 1967. (1945 should've been included) Since then, 1992 could be another addition, but what about this June 2006 snowstorm?. I wonder if it would count as one of NZ's biggies when compared to those earlier ones referred to in the Natural History article?
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Unread post by NZ Thunderstorm Soc »

As I said in a previous posting, this snowstorm rates as the most severe since the last one ;)

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Unread post by Gary Roberts »

NZ Thunderstorm Soc wrote:As I said in a previous posting, this snowstorm rates as the most severe since the last one ;)

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I disagree! I believe the severest storm will always be the one you missed.
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Unread post by NZ Thunderstorm Soc »

.....seriously, Ben. YES
No (human) lives were lost because of this but the extent of the snowfall over the South Island is amazing.
Also to the fact that it occured before the shortest day, when tradionally, events like this follow that date.
Mind you May was a cold month.
Will this year be like 1995 when NZ's minimum low was recorded at Ophir?

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Unread post by NZ Thunderstorm Soc »

Gary Roberts wrote:
NZ Thunderstorm Soc wrote:As I said in a previous posting, this snowstorm rates as the most severe since the last one ;)

JohnGaul
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I disagree! I believe the severest storm will always be the one you missed.
Is your middle name, Murphy?

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Unread post by Gary Roberts »

NZ Thunderstorm Soc wrote:
Gary Roberts wrote: I disagree! I believe the severest storm will always be the one you missed.
Is your middle name, Murphy?

JohnGaul
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No, it's 'The Rock'.
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Unread post by Dean. »

Worst in Ashburton since 1945 in terms of snow depth,32-35 cm's.
Still, areas east of Ashburton without power,thats 7 days after the storm.
Folks tell me there is still a good covering of 15cms of snow laying on the ground.
Cheers from the tropics. 8)
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Unread post by Storm Struck »

John I believe the shortest day is this Wednesday do you mean a few years ago :? ;) .
Many records of snowfalls would be picked up better today because of our improving technology and the need for weather station equipment increasing with more people buying them over a wider area of Canterbury in places which perhaps wouldn't have got figures from many years ago. 8)
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Unread post by Gary Roberts »

Deano wrote:Worst in Ashburton since 1945 in terms of snow depth,32-35 cm's.
Still, areas east of Ashburton without power,thats 7 days after the storm.
Folks tell me there is still a good covering of 15cms of snow laying on the ground.
Cheers from the tropics. 8)
"Snow is like sex: tons of it about, but I never seem to get any!"

(Paraphrased quote courtesy of Harry, the Prince Regent)

Lots of snow still covering the Mackenzie.
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Unread post by Storm Struck »

Gary Roberts wrote:
Deano wrote:Worst in Ashburton since 1945 in terms of snow depth,32-35 cm's.
Still, areas east of Ashburton without power,thats 7 days after the storm.
Folks tell me there is still a good covering of 15cms of snow laying on the ground.
Cheers from the tropics. 8)
"Snow is like sex: tons of it about, but I never seem to get any!"

(Quote courtesy of Harry, the Prince Regent)

Lots of snow still covering the Mackenzie.
Guess we know where you will be tonight then Gary :lol: :lol: .
Nah seriously the water front view of tekapo is wonderful ;) :lol: .
Cheers
Jason.
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Unread post by NZ Thunderstorm Soc »

Gary Roberts wrote:
Is your middle name, Murphy?

JohnGaul
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No, it's 'The Rock'.[/quote]


...um, that 's nice :?
..are you a Samoan film star that was a WWF wrestler previous? :shock:

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Unread post by Gary Roberts »

NZ Thunderstorm Soc wrote:...are you a Samoan film star that was a WWF wrestler previous? :shock:

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Of course I am! You didn't know?
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Unread post by NZstorm »

Back on topic.....

I suggest June 2006 will go into the record books.

I read in the NZHerald the 1939 event was big in Otago/Southland (and Auckland ;). ) Canterbury was less affected than further south.
So maybe we need to go back to 1903 or earlier for a comparable snow event in Canterbury.
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Unread post by 03Stormchaser »

NZstorm wrote:Back on topic.....

I suggest June 2006 will go into the record books.

I read in the NZHerald the 1939 event was big in Otago/Southland (and Auckland ;). ) Canterbury was less affected than further south.
So maybe we need to go back to 1903 or earlier for a comparable snow event in Canterbury.
What about 1945? thought that was the last big event for Canterbury?
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Unread post by RWood »

Don't forget November 1967 for South Canty.
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Unread post by NZ Thunderstorm Soc »

[quote="NZstorm"]Back on topic.....

I suggest June 2006 will go into the record books.

quote]

I think that has been, suggested, Steven.
Just thinking, if it has been that cold, espcially with May being cold, with folllowing on from the June 12th event, it looks as though it is going to be a long, cold winter.
There are cold looking anticyclones about at the moment, 1030hpa plus :(
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Unread post by TonyT »

NIWA have a nice analysis now posted on their web site

http://www.niwascience.co.nz/pubs/mr/ar ... 6-07-04-1/

for the full report, (3.5MB) http://www.niwascience.co.nz/pubs/mr/ar ... e_2006.pdf

This has some nice synoptic background into this year's storm, and previous ones.
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Unread post by Andy »

Thanks Tony ;)
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Unread post by tich »

I read in the NZHerald the 1939 event was big in Otago/Southland (and Auckland . ) Canterbury was less affected than further south.
Except for Banks Peninsula, where snow was at least 30cm deep at sea-level, with drifts over 10m on the tops. Chch apparently only got a few cm.
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