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Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Tue 17/05/2011 18:54
by NZ Thunderstorm Soc
....and the Ruapuna Tornado, near Mayfield, where Bob Crowder turned right instead of left and missed it.
Forgotten the date. Orion may know ?
JohnGaul
NZThS
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Tue 17/05/2011 19:03
by Orion
Nev wrote:
Think it was March 11, 1999.
Orion couldn't remember the exact date and was grateful for the above help...
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Tue 17/05/2011 19:08
by 03Stormchaser
http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/03Na ... s-docs.pdf
Three significant tornado events have been recorded in the Christchurch area in the last 36 years - in 1962
(Christchurch), 1975 (Governors Bay) and 1983(Halswell). A mini tornado in August 1999 tore through
Avonside, causing damage to some houses. Electrical storms tend to occur between September
and March but are relatively infrequent with, on average, thunder five days a year on the Canterbury Plains. In January 2002 lightning strikes occurred, one hitting a man walking along Pines Beach; and another damaging a tree in Avonhead
That statement that we get 5 thunder days is categorically 100% wrong.
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Tue 17/05/2011 19:18
by Manukau heads obs
That statement that we get 5 thunder days is categorically 100% wrong.
yeah , its 4 instead
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Tue 17/05/2011 20:17
by NZstorm
I think the best forecast tool for predicting tornadoes in NZ is pattern recognition. Recognising the synoptic patterns conducive to tornadoes as they occur.
The limiting factor for tornado development in the winter season is the lack of instability rather than shear. We see a lot of set ups with quite good shear but don't quite make it with the instability. Its just getting that overlap.
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Wed 18/05/2011 06:35
by Paul Mallinson
Yes, agreed.
Paul
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Wed 18/05/2011 08:21
by spwill
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Wed 18/05/2011 08:36
by NZstorm
Also an F1 tornado at Penrose, Auckland on 22 December 2004. In 2004 spring lasted right up to Xmas with a cool wet December.
Also on July 4 2007 there was an FO at Botany Downs, Auckland that lifted roofing tiles. F1 tornadoes where recorded at New Plymouth and Tauranga on the same day.
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Wed 18/05/2011 08:39
by David
NZstorm wrote:Also on July 4 2007 there was an FO at Botany Downs
Yes, that was the one that went along my grandparents street, and proceeded up their driveway!
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Thu 19/05/2011 21:57
by NZstorm
I came across this link with a couple of pics of a waterspout over Lake Taupo back in Feb 2007. Not sure whether this spout got the attention of this forum or not. It seems a bit odd to have convection over an inland lake in this country because they are normally very cold, but Lake Taupo must warm up in summer.
http://www.davegeeblog.com/2007/02/torn ... po_06.html
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Fri 20/05/2011 08:22
by Orion
That would have been a bit startling!
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Fri 20/05/2011 10:30
by NZstorm
I checked back the weather on the day, it got to 26C at Taupo but there was a cool SE change in the evening when the waterspout occurred. So cool airmass over relatively warm lake.
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Fri 20/05/2011 16:37
by Michael
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Fri 20/05/2011 17:33
by 03Stormchaser
Thanks for the link Michael!
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Fri 20/05/2011 18:22
by David
Yes, thanks Michael. I see there was one in Bucklands Beach April 1968. That's just a couple of km from here.
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Sat 21/05/2011 11:23
by Lacertae
Should I mention the very short lived one I caught near Waddington on the 14th of December 2009 ?
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Sat 21/05/2011 13:04
by Skywatcher
There have also been a few waterspouts on Lake Ellesmere including the two on 2nd Feb 2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKefclGp64I
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Mon 20/06/2011 18:49
by NZstorm
I have been doing a bit of research on tornadoes in NZ in recent years. I am defining a tornado as atleast F0 damage recorded.
The numbers of tornado days for the last 10 years by province. A tornado day may have more than 1 tornado occurance. This list is not complete.
Northland 3
Auckland 11
Bay of Plenty 7
Waikato 7
Taranaki 14
Kapiti Coast 4
Nelson 1
Westland 5
Canterbury 3
Otago 1
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Mon 20/06/2011 21:44
by 03Stormchaser
So waterspouts arnt included?
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Mon 20/06/2011 21:45
by jamie
and these are only recorded ones. i wouldnt mind betting taranaki and west cost are actually much higher than auckland
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Tue 21/06/2011 06:57
by Manukau heads obs
Water spouts must be actually realatively quite common
I usually spot one off the coast here at least every year!
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Tue 21/06/2011 07:03
by NZstorm
I havn't included the waterspouts unless they have made landfall and become a damaging tornado.
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Tue 21/06/2011 21:08
by tich
I've read that many go unreported in remote and less populated areas. A tornado could hardly be missed in Auckland, but not many would see one in Fiordland.
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Tue 21/06/2011 22:22
by Tornado Tim
tich wrote:I've read that many go unreported in remote and less populated areas. A tornado could hardly be missed in Auckland, but not many would see one in Fiordland.
I agree, Same thing goes for the Waikato....
Re: Tornadoes in New Zealand
Posted: Sun 17/07/2011 17:36
by Nev
Harrowing account in this morn's
NZ Herald recalling the tornado near Whakatane on Nov 3, 2001...
'
Photo Recall: Life-saving scream in whirlwind of terror'
See also original story ... '
Dash for life as tornado strikes'
Here's a few other (unconfirmed?) historical reports from the area...
Dec 28, 2001 - '
Overnight tornado leaves destruction in Whakatane'
(
Note earlier Opotiki 'tornado' mentioned probably a microburst, see ... 'Wind gust guts shopfront').
Nov 14, 2005 - '
Mini-tornado hits Whakatane'
Nov 14, 2005 - '
Tornado hits Whakatane'
But probably the most memorable in recent times was this one...
March 26, 2005 - '
Tornado's trail of terror'