19-Sep-2005
The Biggest Snow Of 2005
MetService snow warnings now cover Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Kaikoura and the entire southern half of the North
Island. Snow over the southern North Island is expected to get heavier tonight and not start easing until late on
Tuesday.
"This snow event is the most intense and widespread we've had all year," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob
McDavitt. "The initial depression that brought such stormy weather to the North Island on Sunday has cleared off to the
southeast. A new depression formed this morning near Banks Peninsula and is forecast to move past the Wairarapa coast
tonight. Also, a cold front is racing north across Canterbury this evening, strengthening the southerly winds and
keeping temperatures cold over the nation."
McDavitt went on to say that this system may bring dumps of snow to places that haven't seen any at all so far this
year. "The Central Plateau is the main target area on Tuesday, but significant falls are likely in the hill country of
Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Wanganui,Taranaki and Taihape."
This snow will make travel difficult and pose problems to any newly born lambs caught in the open. Clearing skies and
easing winds on Tuesday night are likely to cause frost problems in several inland places on Wednesday morning.
ENDS