Latest news with #MetService
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Winter weather: Temperatures below freezing, more frost on way, MetService says
Christchurch woke to -3.8C today, Ashburton was on -1C, Timaru -2C and Blenheim -1C. The Garden City had a forecast of some high cloud today and a high of 11C. Taumarunui dropped to -4C this morning and Taupō to -2C. Auckland was on 6C this morning. MetService said it was Christchurch's coldest temperature of the month. Taumarunui's temperature was its coldest of the year so far. The cold temperatures were due to the high-pressure system, Shiviti told the Herald. 'The coldest temperatures should be around Otago, Southland," he said. Good morning Aotearoa New Zealand ❄🌫It's a chilly start to the week for many, with frost or fog in some areas. At 7am, temperatures were still in the single digits in most places. 🌡🥶Christchurch hit -3.8°C, its coldest July temperature this year. Taumarunui dropped to… — MetService (@MetService) July 20, 2025 'There has not been an opportunity for a lot of mixing [of air]. It is expected to remain over the country for the week,' he said. 'There is a chance of a shower around parts of the East Coast, around Gisborne and the Hawke's Bay.' MetService forecasts a partly cloudy day for Napier today, with a few showers around midday. Tomorrow should turn mainly fine apart from a shower in the afternoon. Gisborne has a forecast of mostly cloud with some showers. Tomorrow should be mostly fine with some showers later in the day. A southerly front is due to hit the country from about Wednesday; radar maps show a wall of rain hitting the East Coast. 'The front is part of the same high-pressure system, and it will mean showers for parts of the east throughout the week,' Shiviti said. The frosty conditions prompted the New Zealand Transport Agency to issue a warning for motorists driving the Haast Pass yesterday afternoon. 'Due to black ice, take extra care when travelling,' the transport agency said. Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
MetService says location of new Tasman rain radar still to be decided
The Lower Waimea River in the aftermath of Tasman-Nelson floods, New Zealand. Photo: Tim Cuff / POOL MetService says a new rain radar will get around the mountainous terrain and known blackspots in Nelson-Tasman, but its exact location is yet to be decided. The government said work would begin immediately to procure a new radar for the top of the region - which has endured repeated floods caused by heavy rain - with the aim to have it up and running by the start of 2027 . A new radar would cost MetService up to $5 million, with operating costs of around $800,000 a year. MetService general manager of observing systems Kevin Alder told Morning Report the Wellington radar that was being used for the top of the South Island - although geographically close - was imperfect. "Its coverage over Nelson is blocked in the lower elevations by the terrain of the Richmond Ranges which are around 1500 metres, 5000 feet high. "And so, we really can't see into Tasman Bay and the surrounding areas." He said a radar on the ground in the area would solve that problem, and MetService would work with the district councils to secure "the best possible site" for it. While the initial weather warning would be the same, it added in the detail once the weather system hit, he said. "It gives much better information to emergency managers as the event unfolds and particularly the timing of when an event is going to end. "We can track the rainfall, the severe weather in real time with the radar, and really help with those immediate decisions during the event." Alder said the complex technology and associated infrastructure accounted for the multi-million dollar price tag. "We normally have to put them on a tower and all the supporting infrastructure for it, with communication and data links - it all adds up." He said although weather systems could be monitored from space, ground-based radar were the best detection method for an area. "You'd have to have a lot of satellites in space to cover New Zealand." The announcement at the weekend came after years of campaigning, with the region considered a blank spot in the national radar coverage. Associate Transport Minister James Meager said the community had been asking for a radar, and its installation would not only give locals "peace of mind", but would help them better prepare for future disasters. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell said Nelson-Tasman had been in five states of emergency since 2011, and a new weather radar would help emergency managers better monitor rainfall and flooding risk - "reducing the risk of loss of life and property". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Nelson-Tasman region to get its own rain radar by 2027
Aerial images showing the extent of flooding in Tasman. Photo: Tim Cuff / POOL The government says the flood-hit Nelson-Tasman region should have its own weather radar by the start of 2027. The region, which has endured repeated floods caused by heavy rain in recent weeks, as well as five states of emergency in the past 14 years, does not have its own rain radar . Associate Transport Minister James Meager said the existing contract with MetService was being amended to immediately begin the procurement of a new radar for the region. MetService was aiming to purchase it by next Autumn and get it operational that summer, in late 2026 or early 2027. A new radar will cost up to $5 million, with operating costs of around $800,000 a year. Immediate work will begin using existing MetService funding. The radar would help better prepare the community for future disasters, Meager said. "This is something the community has asked for, and it's my hope the investment will give locals peace of mind over their individual and property safety in future events. "Weather radars play an incredibly important role in emergency management once an event starts. They allow forecasters to monitor the progression of a storm, refine short-term forecasts and warnings, and provide specific guidance to emergency managers about the distribution and intensity of rainfall." Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell said Nelson-Tasman had experienced several high-impact flooding events in recent years. "Since 2011, there have been five states of emergency declared in the region. Providing Nelson-Tasman with a new weather radar will give emergency managers greater ability to monitor rainfall and flooding risk during a severe weather event, reducing the risk of loss of life and property. "In addition to the new weather radar, the government has committed to strengthening the emergency management system to ensure it is fit for purpose to manage significant, widespread emergencies. "Investments in modern technology and trained personnel, along with clear governance structures and assurance, will ensure faster, more effective emergency management." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Weather: Hundreds of properties without power after severe gales in Northland
Severe gales downed trees and powerlines across the region. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Hundreds of properties are still without power after severe gales ripped through Northland. The wind downed trees and powerlines across the region on Thursday, lifting the roof off one home and flipping a truck and trailer near Dargaville. At its peak, there were thousands of properties without power, but on Friday morning that's down to nearly 500 - most of which are in Tinopai, a coastal settlement on the Kaipara harbour. Fire and Emergency said it attended 11 weather-related calls in Northland, all before midnight. Top Energy's website showed about 140 properties without power in the Far North, but it was unclear whether that was due to the high winds. MetService said more settled weather was forecast for Friday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Far North homes without power after severe gales
Strong winds have been causing issues in Northland with a wind watch in place for the region until 9pm on Thursday. Photo: MetService / Screenshot Several hundred homes in the Far North have lost power after severe gales ripped through the region on Thursday afternoon. Lines company Top Energy says over 170 customers just south of Cape Reinga have been cut off. And about 300 customers are without power around Panguru. Earlier this afternoon, a roof lifted off a Northland home and a truck and trailer flipped near Dargaville. FENZ said it had attended to six incidents, mostly relating to downed trees and power lines. A strong wind watch is in place for the part of Northland north of Whangārei, until 9pm tonight. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
