Latest news with #winterweather
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Cook Strait ferries cancelled as 6m swells forecast, snow descends on South Island
Lakes Camp and Clearwater near Ashburton were blanketed with snow on Friday morning. Photo: Ashburton District Council An updated forecast from MetService has pushed back the expected start time for snowfall to sweep the South Island on Friday. The fresh surge of winter weather was expected to descend on the South Island on Friday , bringing snow, sub-zero temperatures and the risk of travel disruption. Central Otago had now been downgraded from an earlier heavy snow warning to a heavy snow watch starting at 2pm. But inland Canterbury south of the Rakaia River remained under a warning, with heavy snow possible above 400 metres from 2pm. Heavy snow watches were also in place on Friday afternoon for southern Marlborough, Queenstown Lakes District, and the rest of inland Canterbury. A strong wind watch was in effect for Westland District from 6pm. Snow flurries had already been recorded earlier on Friday in the Mackenzie Country and Queenstown. Lakes Camp and Clearwater looked stunning after heavy snowfall. Photo: Ashburton District Council Ashburton District Council said late Friday afternoon the Gorge Road was now closed at Mount Somers township because of snow. "If you're planning to travel this weekend, please pay attention to the weather forecast and drive to the conditions." Meanwhile, Cook Strait ferries were being cancelled this weekend due to forecast 6m swells. Interislander had canned all passenger sailings for Saturday due to the conditions. "All passengers are being moved to alternative sailings," it said on its website. Cook Strait ferries are being cancelled this weekend due to forecast swells. Photo: Supplied Bluebridge had also cancelled all Saturday sailings, and one in the early hours of Sunday morning. "We are monitoring the situation closely, and if further sailings are impacted, we will notify you via text and email at the earliest opportunity," the operator told customers. The MetService said waves could reach swells of 6m on Saturday, with a warning lasting to Sunday morning. Wellington Region Emergency Management said the 6m swells could bring flooding and debris onto roads around high tide. An orange swell warning was in place on Wellington's south coast through to coastal Wairarapa. It said drivers and walkers on coastal roads, as well as surfers, divers and fishers, should take extra care. More to come. 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
Cook Strait ferries cancelled as six-metre swells forecast
Cook Strait ferries are being cancelled this weekend due to forecast swells. Photo: Supplied Cook Strait ferries are being cancelled this weekend due to forecast six-metre swells. Interislander has canned all passenger sailings for Saturday due to the conditions. "All passengers are being moved to alternative sailings," it said on its website. Bluebridge has also cancelled all Saturday sailings, and one in the early hours of Sunday morning. "We are monitoring the situation closely, and if further sailings are impacted, we will notify you via text and email at the earliest opportunity," the operator told customers. The MetService says waves could reach swells of six metres on Saturday, with a warning lasting to Sunday morning. A fresh surge of winter weather was expected to descend on the South Island on Friday , bringing snow, sub-zero temperatures and the risk of travel disruption. More to come. 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
Weather: South Island prepares for heavy snow, sub-zero temperatures to strike
Lake Tekapo has already been hit by heavy snow. Photo: Supplied / Tanja Clauberg A fresh surge of winter weather is set to descend on the South Island on Friday, bringing snow, sub-zero temperatures and the risk of travel disruption. Authorities are urging caution as road conditions turn slippery and alpine areas brace for heavy snowfall. Metservice issued weather warnings covering most of Te Waipounamu on Friday. Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said the heaviest snowfall was expected in high, inland areas. A snow warning was in place for Central Otago and areas of Canterbury south of the Rangitata River for 9am Friday until midnight. "These areas do look most likely to see some heavy snow throughout Friday, running into the night time and maybe just tipping over into Saturday as well," he said. MetService said 15-25 centimetres of snow could accumulate above 500 metres elevation - and that could mean travel disruption and possible damage to trees and powerlines. In Queenstown Lakes District a heavy snow watch was in place between 9am and 9pm Friday, with snow possible down to 400 metres. A heavy snow watch was also issued for Canterbury north of the Rangitata River and southern Marlborough from 4pm on Friday until 8am on Saturday. Temperatures across the southern half of the South Island were expected to dive into the negatives, and remain low for most of the weekend. "A lot of people will have noticed a real chill to the air," Ferris said. "It looks like the South Island, even parts of the North Island, will feel the chills through the weekend. Some places even into the middle of next week, especially around Central Otago, places like Alexandra, might be fighting to get out of those negatives even through the daytime," he said. Lake Tekapo after overnight snow dump. Photo: Supplied / Tanja Clauberg Authorities urged drivers to factor in the wild weather, and prepare for potential road closures. Ferris said Metservice had issued road snowfall warnings for a number of alpine passes. "Conditions could be quite treacherous, so it's going to be one of those things to check in with the Transport Agency, see if there are any road closures," he said. Metservice said snow could accumulate on the Crown Range, the Lindis Pass, the Haast Pass and on the Dunedin to Waitati Highway. In Canterbury, snow was also expected to settle on Porters Pass, Lewis Pass and Arthurs Pass. Civil Defence Emergency Management Canterbury said people who needed to travel should carry snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing and emergency items. "If driving, please remember to switch your headlights on, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards," it said. Ferris said people should exercise caution even in areas where there was no snow expected. "Plenty of frosts will be forecast around the South Island. So it could just be a case of taking a little bit easier if you have to be doing any morning travel through the weekend," he said. The warnings follow two highway closures in inland Canterbury on Thursday. Both State Highway 8, between Lake Pukaki and Fairlie, and State Highway 80, between Lake Pukaki and Aoraki-Mount Cook, were closed due to heavy snow. New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said both closures were short-lived and the impact was not widespread. The agency said it would be working with its partners to keep a close eye on the State Highway network around the south and would be responding with its crews as required. It also noted a risk of potential severe gale force southeast winds in Westland on Friday afternoon, and encouraged motorists to be prepared. Central Otago and inland Canterbury, from the Rangitata River southwards are under an orange heavy snow warning. Photo: MetService/Supplied The sub-zero temperatures and potential snow are bringing added stress to farmers and their livestock. In Tapanui - near Gore - Federated Farmers' Otago president Luke Kane has been getting his farm and animals ready. He told Morning Report the drop in temperatures and heavy snow didn't come as a surprise for this time of the year. "It is winter after all. We normally would anticipate two to three of these storms for us throughout the winter and this may be the first one." Preparation was key when these types of snow storms hit, including putting out few extra hay bails, utilising shelter and making sure staff were safe and well feed, Kane said. "We make sure that we have got everything for the next few days pretty well prepared for the cows so we are not having to run tractors around in the mud or snow if it does come. "Most people are pretty well climatised to this type of thing down here." Kane said most farmers had mostly recovered going into winter after a "horrendous spring in the lower South". "Ground conditions are pretty fantastic really and it's shaping up to be okay at this point." He said he hoped people would use their common sense as the chill moved in. "There's always a hope for common sense but it doesn't always prevail right," he laughed. The cold snap could bring a welcome coating of snow for ski areas approaching their winter opening dates. The forecast showed Canterbury's Mt Hutt ski field, which abandoned plans to open early last month , could have a 50 centimetre top up. It was aiming for an opening date of 13 June. There was more than 50 centimetres of snow in Friday's forecast for some Arthurs Pass ski areas, such as Porters and Mount Cheeseman, and for Mackenzie Basin ski areas including Mount Dobson and Roundhill - all set to open later this month, or in early July. Ski fields in the Queenstown Lakes Area - set to open on 14 June - were all in line for a smaller dusting of about 10 - 15 centimetres on Friday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Blizzard warnings expand with heavy snow, 90 km/h wind gusts
Nothing screams the 'unofficial kick off to summer' quite like snowfall and blizzard warnings. As we get ready to welcome the May long weekend, parts of northern Canada are dealing with yet another round of hefty winter weather. DON'T MISS: This is the third time just this month that blizzard warnings have been issued in Canada. "We have a deepening low pressure system moving through the Hudson Strait. As the storm intensifies, strong winds are expected to impact northern Quebec and Baffin Island," says Rachel Modestino, a meteorologist at The Weather Network. "These regions are also on the cold, northside of the system where heavy snowfall is forecast." Blizzard warnings are in effect for the Kangiqsujuaq-Raglan Lake regions in northern Quebec, urging to limit any time spent outdoors. "Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the warning. While the snow lightened up by Wednesday evening, persistent strong winds will continue to make for near-zero visibilities until Thursday evening. A blizzard warning is issued when winds are expected to produce blowing snow, with widespread visibilities of 400 metres or less for at least 6 hours, according to ECCC. By early Thursday morning, a blizzard warning included Iqaluit, Nunavut, as well. Peak winds gusting to 90 km/h combined with falling snow will continue to give near zero visibility across the region on Thursday. Travel is expected to be hazardous. "If you do travel and become lost, remain where you are until the blizzard has passed. Ensure that shelter is provided for pets and outdoor animals," ECCC says in the warning. SEE ALSO: It is pretty rare for blizzard warnings this late in the season, but it is certainly not unheard of. In 2022, the Dempster Highway saw a blizzard warning issued on June 7-8! Click here to view the video
