NZ Weather Forum

Heavy snow settling straight away here

We have snow here in Rakaia, I'm very very very happy. Two years being in Rakaia and no snow on the ground and the ground here is totally white (this has come down very quickly) and it is steadily snowing heavily. I'm extremely happy.

A spy tells me its snowing to sea level around Rakaia Huts

it's just lightly snowing in Rakaia township at the moment. Ground is lovely and white with dry powdery snow.

not long got home here and it's snowing and settling

Settling in Southbridge. ...and we're away in Nelson! Bummer

Light snow (nr Sheffield)

Light snow falling in Rolleston starting to settle
Edit. Big band coming in this should get interesting

Yes snowing here in rolleston. been waiting for this for awhile big band coming straight in soon so that should see a nice period of snow for a couple of hours hopefully a few cm may settle

it stubbonly refuses to make it past Banks Peninsula

Snowing and settling here in West Melton

Decent snow now big flakes

I expect the front will lose some oomph as it comes through

EDIT that worked...heavy snow now here in Cracroft (9m asl)

Starting to snow lightly in Upper Riccarton.

heavy snow here now, settling fast

Heavy here now too, been so long since I've seen it like this!

Can somebody please explain to me how it can be snowing to sea level with the 850hpa temp at only -3C? I have heard from numerous experts the minimum for sea level snow for 850hpa is -6C for a non warm advection event?

Bradley wrote:Can somebody please explain to me how it can be snowing to sea level with the 850hpa temp at only -3C? I have heard from numerous experts the minimum for sea level snow for 850hpa is -6C for a non warm advection event?

My guess would be a combination of the very deep clouds (up to 400hPa) and the very low air pressure

Settling fast here.

its turned back to rain here, a sign of weakening as it comes past Banks Peninsula I'd guess

EDIT 10 mins later light snow again, must be right on the cusp

Still very heavy snow here, 11cm now and going hard

just had our first snow/graupel shower here at 200m. we were pretty much borderline snow earlier on but never made it

I'm quite impressed with the amount of snow I've received so far, I was wrong to write this event off a few days ago, seems to be packing a rather decent punch!

Snowing medium sized flakes here in central chch. Just finished a movie and looked at the ground outside and all is white. Was NOT expecting that!!! About 1-2cms here

my thinking of the snow tonight bradley is yes the depth of the clouds but also a convergence factor that we have been talking about, sometimes there has to be that factor and its playing its part tonight.
I had a real feeling something would happen tonight but thought i would stay on the hush for a change due to having a such dismal outcomes, waiting/wishing/wondering all winter.
But yes tonight for me stuck out like dogs balls but sometimes i just like to say nothing

About 1cm on the grass here now, has become sleety here in the last 10 mins with the precip rate decreasing.