Windy

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Strong winds are forecasted for much of the country over the next couple of days.
Will it match the NW gales of 1975 or 2013?

[Richard]

Add 2021 to that list also.

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Add 2021 to that list also.

Yes, that year as well.
Not much wind here today, a bit of a NW around noon and mainly calm for the rest of the day with a slight easterly tendency.
Interesting to see what will happen overnight and the next few days.

[Storm Struck]

It's quite strong here now as that next front sides its way up the island.
Wednesday into Thursday will be much stronger, with potential for very damaging winds inland and for eastern spots too.

[Razor]

157km gust at Mt Cook Village today I see

[Ryza117]

Sustained wind of 87.9kmh with a gust of 101.2kmh just after 5 here in Patoka. Looks like it’s going to be an interesting night ahead.

[Storm Struck]

Not too sure what the official gusts were at the airport, but there were some fairly big gusts when driving out to Banks Peninsula this afternoon.
A few small branches down and a big willow limb that we just missed which fell across the road near Tai Tapu.
Luckily a local farmer was there with his tractor moving it off the road.
Maximum temperature of 23.3c today and 19C at 3am.
More of this wild weather to come.
Hopefully some welcome rain by the end of the week too.

[BeaconHill]

Most of the day in Wellington was sunny and surprisingly warm, and a "bit" blustery. But around 4pm the wind really started to ramp up. Listening to Wellington Air Traffic Control, and they were reporting 60+ knot gusts and 30+ knot cross winds. Only 3 out of 20 flights between 4 and 6pm managed to land.
Remutaka Hill road closed at 415pm due to 150kmph gusts at the summit.
As at 624pm, it is hideous outside. Certainly the windiest it has been in a long time!

[harveyt86]

107kph gusting 141kph at Castlepoint currently. Gusts to 120kph at kelburn as well. Lyall Bay seems to be offline.. Was just about to comment that it must be the windiest it has been in a long while in Wellington but you beat me to it BeaconHill!
Edit: Gusting 165kph now at Castlepoint! I know it is a very exposed site but still very impressive gusts.

[Ryza117]

Cape Turnagain is 157kmh gusting 204kmh according to the metservice website

[David]

Insane!

[David]

Now showing a mean speed of 178 km/h gusting 222 km/h at Cape Turnagain... surely can't go much higher

[Nev]

Now showing a mean speed of 178 km/h gusting 222 km/h at Cape Turnagain... surely can't go much higher

Cape Turnagain was also reported to have recorded gusts to 222 km/h on Sep 10, 2021. Not sure if that'a a site record though?

[David]

189 gusting 244 on the latest refresh!

[Nev]

According to NIWA:
North Island gust record is 248 km/h at Hawkins Hill, Wellington on Nov 6, 1959 and Jul 4, 1962.
South Island gust record is 250 km/h at Mt John, Canterbury on Apr 18, 1970.

[Simon Culling]

The METARS for Wellington Airport show a gust to 62kts (71mph) on the 07Z report - I think this is 7pm local time?

NZWN 170730Z AUTO 34032G49KT 9999 BKN014/// 15/12 Q1003
NZWN 170700Z AUTO 33036G62KT 9999 OVC018/// 15/11 Q1002
NZWN 170630Z AUTO 33032G51KT 300V020 9999 BKN015/// BKN020/// 15/12 Q1002

Is the airport very exposed to NW winds?

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

The METARS for Wellington Airport show a gust to 62kts (71mph) on the 07Z report - I think this is 7pm local time?

NZWN 170730Z AUTO 34032G49KT 9999 BKN014/// 15/12 Q1003
NZWN 170700Z AUTO 33036G62KT 9999 OVC018/// 15/11 Q1002
NZWN 170630Z AUTO 33032G51KT 300V020 9999 BKN015/// BKN020/// 15/12 Q1002

Is the airport very exposed to NW winds?

Yes, Simon, also southerly, as the winds funnel through Cook Strait.
Foveaux Strait between The SI and Stewart Island also have a strong westerly flow.

[BeaconHill]

I was listening to air traffic control tower at 7pm. And yes. That was what they were reporting to planes on approach. Not that any of them (but Sounds air) landed. All the other planes have too many automated wind sheer warning alerts.

[harleyb]

Insane!!

Screenshot_20230917_214801_Coastguard.jpg

[harleyb]

Funny.. I hadnt seen the posts above.. so it's nothing new

[Nev]

Here's some peak gusts (km/h) confirmed by MS for yesterday:

246 .. Cape Turnagain
199 .. Mueller Hut (Mt Cook, 1818m asl)
185 .. Remutaka Hill (555m asl)
178 .. Mount Cook Aero (656m asl)
174 .. Castlepoint
131 .. Kelburn, Wellington

[Razor]

Wow!

[Ryza117]

Very windy first half of the night for us then dropping off after midnight. Max gust 128kmh at 10.35pm with an average 100. A few trees down around the place. Thankfully no damage for us. We are about 5km east of the Kaweka range at 360m asl

[JP.]

I see all the wind has forced an early season closure for Porter heights ski area too.

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Very windy here today and no warning from MS. yet yesterday it was overcast, cool and calm with a severe wind weather watch ?