WLG SPECI

greg · Unread post by **greg** » Wed 18/08/2004 21:50

A met report, with some real time observations.

SPECI NZWN 171300Z 20048G60 6000 SHRA
FEW010 SCT015 BKN020 07/06
Q1000 WS RWY16 TEMPO 2500RA BKN014 RMK
KAUKAU 20065KT MAIN TERMINAL
BUILDING LOSING ROOFING IRON

Manukau heads obs · Wed 18/08/2004 22:08

its a good one!
after you emailed that, i posted it on another thread greg....so if you come across it, you will know, LOL

tich · Unread post by **tich** » Wed 18/08/2004 22:19

Greg, could you see the snow on Mt Pirongia and any other Waikato ranges today? (I read about from a Waikato Times online article - it showed a photo of a grader up on the snow covered Mamaku Plateau)

NZ Thunderstorm Soc · Wed 18/08/2004 22:19

Good one, I mean good wind?

JohnGaul
NZTS

Manukau heads obs · Wed 18/08/2004 22:27

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotim ... 04,00.html

and the mamaku ranges are not actualy all that high....

tich · Unread post by **tich** » Wed 18/08/2004 23:23

and the mamaku ranges are not actualy all that high....

The higher part of the plateau is at about 500m asl, though the location where that photo in the Waikato Times was taken would be a bit lower (about 400 metres I think). Normally the area gets about 1 light snowfall a year, but it usually doesn't settle for long, if at all. Significant falls like last night's are rare - maybe once every 5-10 years. BTW I also heard that Mt Ngongotaha (directly overlooking Rotorua city) had a light dusting as well.

greg · Unread post by **greg** » Thu 19/08/2004 09:57

No snow visible from CAmbridge on Pironga, but at 1000m there must have been some there.
As you said certainly snow on the road to Rotorua.

tich · Unread post by **tich** » Thu 19/08/2004 11:07

No snow visible from CAmbridge on Pironga, but at 1000m there must have been some there

I must add that mountains like Pirongia and Te Aroha are bush covered right to their summits, so snow dustings, unless they're heavy, might not be noticeable to people living in nearby low areas. Consequently, light falls on these mountains may be a bit more common than people realise.
Mt Te Aroha BTW has a TV transmitter (?) site on its summit, but I'm not sure how often it is occupied.

greg · Unread post by **greg** » Thu 19/08/2004 11:11

[.
Mt Te Aroha BTW has a TV transmitter (?) site on its summit, but I'm not sure how often it is occupied.[/quote]

Road to the summit, for BCNZ access and a track up from Te Aroha hot pools, a great view and a good hike

Willoughby · Unread post by **Willoughby** » Fri 20/08/2004 23:47

greg wrote:No snow visible from CAmbridge on Pironga, but at 1000m there must have been some there.
As you said certainly snow on the road to Rotorua.

I don't think Pirongia got the full force of that southerly, and the wind came off the land, btw, Pironga aint even 1000m!

tich · Unread post by **tich** » Sat 21/08/2004 09:36

Pironga aint even 1000m!

959m I believe.

Michael · Unread post by **Michael** » Sat 21/08/2004 09:56

It is for the VHF transmissions to Hamilton and Tauranga including some of the powerhouse FMs like 89.8 98.6 and 94.6

greg wrote:[.
Mt Te Aroha BTW has a TV transmitter (?) site on its summit, but I'm not sure how often it is occupied.

Road to the summit, for BCNZ access and a track up from Te Aroha hot pools, a great view and a good hike[/quote]

ricky · Unread post by **ricky** » Sat 21/08/2004 11:02

I knew one very keen BCL technician who would cycle to work there all the way from Hamilton and up the Mt!

Apparently it was an amazing place to be working, with lots of glass for incredible views.. and more than a few lightning strikes to the tower. Now I believe it is pretty much all automated with only maintenance crews visiting, there used to be quite a team working there full time..