Polar Blast - June 21-22

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

I reckon we are going to beat our all-time record which was only set 3 weeks ago John!!

May be interesting?

[Bradley]

Going to be a reasonably cold night at Pukaki with -6C already at 5pm

[Richard]

Would that be right though, -6deg at mid day? must be under fog

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Got water stored up for the forth coming mornings as the pipes freeze up when the air temperature in the screen dips to minus 4 or below, here.
If sunny, the water is back on by about 10am, but that doesn't really worry us.

[Bradley]

Nah it was 5pm Richard that temp was recorded

[Richard]

Nah it was 5pm Richard that temp was recorded

Yes but the temp of -6deg at 12.00 pm hasn't changed much for the afternoon

[melja]

Must be being affected by snow on the housing or something cause its also recording rain and im sure rain won't be happening at those temperatures so at a guess I would say its snow melt.

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Yeah, it something to do with those automatic weather stations.
No one on site to clear things up.

[03Stormchaser]

I see MS have mentioned snow in there forecast for chch tonight and in the morning

[Bradley]

Latest WeatherWatch from Metservice:

CANTERBURY PLAINS north of ASHBURTON: During Monday morning, snow is likely to near sea level and could be heavy, especially about the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula. Although snow amounts should remain below warning critieria, the affect of this snow falling in urban areas may cause distruption to transport.

[David]

I see the 850mb is supposed to drop to around -5 even as far north as Auckland on Tuesday. Daytime max probably only 10C which is unusually low for us.

[Tim S]

Thought I would post the whole watch as there is more to NZ than Christchurch.

"SEVERE WEATHER WATCH FOR FIORDLAND, SOUTHLAND, OTAGO, CANTERBURY ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 0948hrs 21-Jun-2015

HEAVY SNOW POSSIBLE FOR THE FAR SOUTH AND EAST OF SOUTH ISLAND LATE SUNDAY AND EARLY MONDAY.

A very cold polar outbreak is forecast for the South Island late Sunday and during Monday, with snow showers likely to near sea level.

This Watch is for HEAVY SNOW in the following areas:

SOUTH FIORDLAND, SOUTHLAND and southern parts of OTAGO (especially CLUTHA AND DUNEDIN): From Sunday evening until dawn Monday, snow accumulations above 200 metres may approach warning amounts.

CANTERBURY PLAINS north of ASHBURTON: During Monday morning, snow is likely to near sea level and could be heavy, especially about the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula. Although snow amounts should remain below warning critieria, the affect of this snow falling in urban areas may cause distruption to transport.

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case areas in this Watch are upgraded to a full Warning or new areas are added to this Watch.

Note, the Watch for heavy rain in Wanganui, Manawatu and Bay of Plenty is lifted. The Watch for severe gales in Gisborne is also lifted.

This Watch will be reviewed by 9pm Sunday 21 June 2015"

[hozza95]

Not far from snowing here, sleet with flakes mixed in, only 2.6 degrees down in the town

[Orion]

Quite a defined roll-cloud, or whatever you call it, visible with the approaching southerly.
Just minutes away by the look of it.

[MoorfNZ]

A friend inland from Timaru at just under 300m has just had a snow flurry, short and sweet

[snowykiwi]

Patiently waiting to see what we will get here in Rakaia. On Thursday we just missed getting the snowfalls compared to inland. Ran out of the snow falling just five minutes drive inland from Rakaia. I can see the roll-cloud from our living room. Drove up to Methven this morning at 7.45am and at that time the snow was still on the ground just ten minutes drive inland from Rakaia. By the time I came back down at 2pm the snow had melted and was mostly from Barrhill up through to Methven. Was interesting to see the tree branches which had broken with the weight of the snow on Thursday. Not looking forward to the severe frosts in the coming nights.

[Orion]

Wind changed here about two minutes ago.

[snowykiwi]

Strong southerly here and raining. Winds have also hit Methven just now too.

[Bradley]

Funny how all the Facebook social media sights are giving a high chance of 10-15cm of snow in Christchurch but other more official organisations like Blueskies, Metservice, WeatherWatch etc are only going for between 1-3cm. I wonder if there might be a reason for that

[MoorfNZ]

Looks like the bulk of it is offshore?

Southerly has just roared in.... (nr Sheffield)

[Bradley]

It's reared up on you now Hell - check the latest radar!!

[MoorfNZ]

Yep.. v. light rain at the mo being blown about...

Bradley - I see what you mean!

And temp just plummeted

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

The proper SW has just roared in, well just after 6pm, so it's all on from now....or is it?

[snowykiwi]

May I ask the link for the radar please? I just hope this is only coastal as there is enough snow already inland.

[MoorfNZ]

Fine rain falling v. lightly now