Polar Blast 23-26th July

Archive of NZ Weather & Climate
Forum rules
These topics are a read-only archive and may be subject to out-of-date information.

For today's weather discussion head to: New Zealand Weather & Climate
User avatar
TonyT
Moderator
Posts: 2878
Joined: Thu 08/05/2003 11:09
Location: Amberley, North Canterbury
Has thanked: 352 times
Been thanked: 1146 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-25th July

Unread post by TonyT »

For interest, and future reference, here are the modelled 1000-500hpa thickness values, 500hpa height and 850hpa temp values for the last 48 hours:
........ THK 500HT 850T
+ 0. 538.9 545.6 -2.5 <----midday Saturday
+ 3. 539.5 543.8 -1.3
+ 6. 539.4 540.8 -0.8
+ 9. 540.1 539.8 -0.5
+ 12. 539.6 536.0 -0.5 <-----midnight Saturday/Sunday
+ 15. 539.4 533.0 0.3
+ 18. 536.8 529.2 -0.5
+ 21. 532.7 526.0 -4.2
+ 24. 527.9 521.7 -6.1<-----midday Sunday
+ 27. 524.9 518.4 -6.2
+ 30. 522.3 516.9 -6.7
+ 33. 521.0 517.2 -6.9
+ 36. 519.9 518.3 -7.8<------midnight Sunday/Monday
+ 39. 518.1 518.5 -8.1
+ 42. 518.1 519.4 -7.7
+ 45. 518.8 522.5 -7.8
+ 48. 521.2 525.7 -7.2<------midday Monday

Lowest THK was around 518 between 3am and 6am this morning.
User avatar
TonyT
Moderator
Posts: 2878
Joined: Thu 08/05/2003 11:09
Location: Amberley, North Canterbury
Has thanked: 352 times
Been thanked: 1146 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-25th July

Unread post by TonyT »

50075376_metgram.pdf
And here are the modelled wind flows leading into the event at the lower levels (very much SSW right through) and at 500hpa (savage wind shift there around midnight co-inciding with the arrival of the very cold air).
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
spwill
Posts: 9907
Joined: Sun 29/06/2003 22:39
Location: Mt Eden Auckland
Has thanked: 839 times
Been thanked: 866 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-25th July

Unread post by spwill »

I'm in NewPlymouth for a couple of days, there has been some low level snowfall around Taranaki affecting higher towns like Stratford. Did a late afternoon drive.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
CHCH Weather Chaser
Posts: 3460
Joined: Thu 26/06/2008 16:10
Location: Halswell / Hoon Hay Christchurch
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Polar Blast 23-25th July

Unread post by CHCH Weather Chaser »

Wow. Minus 7 in Manapouri and High is 8 degrees in Cape Reinga.
Reporting Live from Southern Christchurch
Leighton Thomas

2014 Rainfall: Jan: 21mm Feb: 76mm March: 170mm April: 201mm YTD: 468mm
User avatar
David
Posts: 7578
Joined: Sat 18/08/2007 21:02
Location: Howick, Auckland
Has thanked: 416 times
Been thanked: 825 times
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-25th July

Unread post by David »

Manukau heads obs wrote:big drop in DP here
now -2.2
thats low for here!
was only 6.8C here with passing showers
Interesting to see the negative dewpoint out your way!
Dewpoint has not gone any lower than 2C here - wonder why there's a difference from west to east?
Image
User avatar
03Stormchaser
Moderator
Posts: 4428
Joined: Tue 09/12/2003 12:11
Location: Prebbleton
Has thanked: 104 times
Been thanked: 184 times
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-25th July

Unread post by 03Stormchaser »

I mentioned earlier we would get 518 thickness and that along with the cold air arriving together and the continuing cold temps kept the snow falling. Precip on the models looked light to many but my experience looking at setups like this dont read to much into that, the models tend to tread light so be more worried about other factors
NZ Largest Storm Chasing Facebook Pagehttp://www.facebook.com/nzstormchasers
NZ Largest Storm Chase Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/NZStormchasersGroup
NZ Stormchasers TV https://www.youtube.com/@NZStormchasers
jamie
Posts: 5907
Joined: Fri 25/02/2011 21:35
Location: Hamilton NZ
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 273 times
Contact:

Re: General July Weather

Unread post by jamie »

clear night with steady SW cold wind. DP around 1 and temp 4. Should be a cold night here. Wind chill in the negatives here now.

Saw a shooting star before. Flew North to South. Was really bright. Saw a lightning strike over the kaimais before too. Looked over Tauranga way.
User avatar
CHCH Weather Chaser
Posts: 3460
Joined: Thu 26/06/2008 16:10
Location: Halswell / Hoon Hay Christchurch
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: General July Weather

Unread post by CHCH Weather Chaser »

It may be -7 in Manapouri and -5 in Queenstown, -2 in Timaru but Man its hot here tonight. Up to 3.5 degrees which is 3 degrees above the average temperature of the day! It didnt go above 1 here till mid afternoon. Might have to take of a layer off clothing!
Reporting Live from Southern Christchurch
Leighton Thomas

2014 Rainfall: Jan: 21mm Feb: 76mm March: 170mm April: 201mm YTD: 468mm
Manukau heads obs
Posts: 12305
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 16:30
Location: West Coast Road, Manukau Peninsula, North Island
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

I see that Ricky did get down to 0 for DP at one stage...
and I see that Ricky has a rain shower going through with only 4.6C ....that will mean a cold Latte!

nice photos there Spwill
I read that even Hawera had snow falling at one stage
Image
Brian Hamilton, weather enthusiast. My weather dataEmail: [email protected]
User avatar
NZstorm
Posts: 11333
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 19:38
Location: Grey Lynn, Auckland
Has thanked: 342 times
Been thanked: 361 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by NZstorm »

Taranaki covered in snow would be a rare sight. I believe the Stratford area is about 200m elevation.
User avatar
Storm Struck
Posts: 4859
Joined: Wed 17/11/2004 21:25
Location: Belfast Christchurch
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 373 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by Storm Struck »

Well its going to be hairy on the roads in the morning, cleared snow off my car earlier on but thin layer of grapel on there again from a few late icy showers.
Heres my photos from the day, most of them i took around 8am so it got around 3-4 cm deeper in most areas.
Snow 001.jpg
Snow002.jpg
Snow 003.jpg
Snow 004.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Canterbury, home of good rugby and severe storms
User avatar
Storm Struck
Posts: 4859
Joined: Wed 17/11/2004 21:25
Location: Belfast Christchurch
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 373 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by Storm Struck »

Few more..
Snow 006.jpg
Snow 007.jpg
Snow 008.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Canterbury, home of good rugby and severe storms
User avatar
Michael
Posts: 7210
Joined: Thu 27/03/2003 12:04
Location: Rainy Manurewa, Auckland - "City of Gales"
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by Michael »

Cardiff is quite elevated would get snow.Though Hawera etc be rarer it be like having snow in New Plymouth or Wanganui cities.
NZstorm wrote:Taranaki covered in snow would be a rare sight. I believe the Stratford area is about 200m elevation.
User avatar
Tornado Tim
Moderator
Posts: 4920
Joined: Sun 19/10/2008 17:17
Location: Raglan, Waikato / Hillcrest, Hamilton
Has thanked: 102 times
Been thanked: 202 times
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Some stupid ppl are posting on Facebook that its snowing in Hamilton, its not............

Do they honestly think ppl are that stupid.
NZAPStrike.net - NZ Aus Pacific Strike Network
NZ Thunderstorm Soc
Posts: 18488
Joined: Wed 12/03/2003 22:08
Location: Raukapuka Geraldine
Has thanked: 1769 times
Been thanked: 1412 times

Re: General July Weather

Unread post by NZ Thunderstorm Soc »

CHCH Weather Chaser wrote:It may be -7 in Manapouri and -5 in Queenstown, -2 in Timaru but Man its hot here tonight. Up to 3.5 degrees which is 3 degrees above the average temperature of the day! It didnt go above 1 here till mid afternoon. Might have to take of a layer off clothing!

Yes. Leighton. It was a scorcher here today, as well.
Got up to 1.8C, this evening, after being around zero all day :crazy: :>

JohnGaul
NZThS
JohnGaul
NZThS
GraemeWi
Posts: 1012
Joined: Sun 30/03/2003 18:28
Location: Hobsonville Point, Auckland
Has thanked: 36 times
Been thanked: 78 times
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by GraemeWi »

Got some sleet near the top of the Waitakeres tonight - went for a drive, had a few showers go though. 2 degrees. Brrrrr!
User avatar
David
Posts: 7578
Joined: Sat 18/08/2007 21:02
Location: Howick, Auckland
Has thanked: 416 times
Been thanked: 825 times
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by David »

Think we could go under the forecast low tonight (5C).
Quite a good breeze blowing at the moment but it may die off in the early hours.
Dew point down to 0 here now, lowest I've recorded for quite a while.
Image
tich
Posts: 3467
Joined: Sat 15/03/2003 18:32
Location: Christchurch (St Albans)/Akaroa
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 91 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by tich »

Long trip from Rotorua to Wellington as bus detoured from Taupo to Te Kuiti through Taranaki. Couldn't see any snow around Rotorua (just light showers in city early morning, but very cold and radio reports of snow falling on Mamaku plateau). First snow seen on southern kaingaroa plains and Paeroa Range, then hills around Taupo well coated. Surprisingly nothing on King Country/South Waikato ranges (peaks about 700-900m), but inland Taranaki around Eltham and Stratford blanketed. Sleet shower near Patea?Waverley and again about Paekakiriki.

Interesting trip but frustrating trying to follow the event with stuff all radio reception away from major towns and no internet access until now in Wellington. Hope some snow is left when I get back to Chch late Tue or early Wednesday.
User avatar
NZstorm
Posts: 11333
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 19:38
Location: Grey Lynn, Auckland
Has thanked: 342 times
Been thanked: 361 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by NZstorm »

Got some sleet near the top of the Waitakeres tonight
Last nights NZWP sounding certainly indicates sleet to low levels. 850mb temp -4.5C. 700mb-15.5C.

Pity we didn't have more of an onshore flow.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
RWood
Posts: 3745
Joined: Sat 24/01/2004 16:56
Location: Wellington
Has thanked: 188 times
Been thanked: 123 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by RWood »

Comment on Stuff (also TV1 last night) on Wellington's "coldest day" or "lowest temperature". False. Max. from Met Service site was 5.6C, the lowest since 17/7/1995 (5.1C). Record low Tmax at Kelburn, as mentioned earlier, is 4.5C. Stuff report also referred to records starting in the 1940s - wrong again!
User avatar
03Stormchaser
Moderator
Posts: 4428
Joined: Tue 09/12/2003 12:11
Location: Prebbleton
Has thanked: 104 times
Been thanked: 184 times
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by 03Stormchaser »

currently -4C outside and still snow and ice on the roads, going to be a fun drive to work!
NZ Largest Storm Chasing Facebook Pagehttp://www.facebook.com/nzstormchasers
NZ Largest Storm Chase Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/NZStormchasersGroup
NZ Stormchasers TV https://www.youtube.com/@NZStormchasers
User avatar
kiwisk8er
Posts: 332
Joined: Mon 03/04/2006 13:17
Location: Mosgiel, Dunedin 20 m ASL
Has thanked: 24 times
Been thanked: 46 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by kiwisk8er »

I hope the Christchurch airport opens sometime this morning. The MIL is staying at our house in Wellington and if she doesn't catch her plane today we're stuck with her for another few days.

Weather wise it's nice and clear in Wellington with a nice crisp frost.
User avatar
Nev
Moderator
Posts: 6216
Joined: Tue 07/03/2006 15:24
Location: Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf
Has thanked: 468 times
Been thanked: 1064 times

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by Nev »

Coldest night of the year here so far with 1.6C at 4:50am and also at Grey Lynn with 1.2C.
Akld Aero was on around 2C at 3am, before rising again.

I see Queenstown Aero got down to around -9C earlier and Timaru Aero around -7C.
iomkiwi
Posts: 289
Joined: Wed 09/04/2008 20:00
Location: Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, NZ
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by iomkiwi »

I got down to 0.6 at 7:37 this morning, lowest temp I have ever recorded
jamie
Posts: 5907
Joined: Fri 25/02/2011 21:35
Location: Hamilton NZ
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 273 times
Contact:

Re: Polar Blast 23-26th July

Unread post by jamie »

kiwisk8er wrote:I hope the Christchurch airport opens sometime this morning. The MIL is staying at our house in Wellington and if she doesn't catch her plane today we're stuck with her for another few days.
#-o :lol:

-2.7 here and -2.9 at Tims. By far the best frost we have had this year but still a long way from anything special for here.
Locked