New Zealand Local Weather Forum

Weather Discussion => International => Topic started by: Mark on June 23, 2015, 07:02:39 PM

Title: New Zealand hit by record cold temperatures overnight
Post by: Mark on June 23, 2015, 07:02:39 PM
• -20 degrees recorded at Pukaki, close to the country's coldest ever recorded of -25.6 in Ranfurly in 1903
• -5 degrees in Dunedin, Blenheim and Taumarunui
• -2 degrees in Hamilton
• 2.7 degrees in Auckland

New Zealand has nearly shuddered itself to the MetService's record books after the Canterbury high country plummeted to -20 degrees overnight.

MetService Meteorologist Stephen Glassy said most of the South Island recorded sub-zero temperatures including the -20 at the Pukaki Aerodrome on the edge of Lake Pukaki.
Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook Airport got down to -13 degrees, while Queenstown, Alexandra and Lumsden hit -7 degrees.

Mr Glassey said the bone-chilling -20 degrees recorded at Pukaki was close to the country's coldest ever recorded of -25.6 in Ranfurly in 1903.

"So that's very cold."

Dunedin Airport and Blenheim were -5 degrees, while Dunedin city was just below 0 degrees, he said.
Taumarunui was the coldest town in the North Island with -5 degrees, followed by Taupo on -3 and Hamilton -2.

Auckland International Airport was 2.7 degrees while Ardmore Airport was currently sitting at 1.5 degrees.

Meanwhile, Canterbury Police have issued a black ice warning and urging motorists to take extreme care this morning.
Senior Sergeant Richard Ryan said the condition of the district's roads were "treacherous as the overnight rain has now frozen".

"Police have attended a couple of minor accidents already today that can be attributed to the black ice which has set on the roads. Road contractors are being utilised to try and alleviate the current problem."

Police ask motorists to allow extra time for travel today, to drive to the conditions and be mindful that black ice is often very difficult to see.

In Christchurch, University of Canterbury exams have been pushed back an hour due to the big freeze.

"Due to icy road conditions in Christchurch a decision has been made to delay the start of morning examinations until 10am," a campus spokesperson said via the university's Facebook page.

"Afternoon examinations will go ahead as scheduled. Students are urged to take care travelling to and from university."
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11469596
Title: Re: New Zealand hit by record cold temperatures overnight
Post by: Mark on June 23, 2015, 07:03:33 PM
I would like to no what the records were?.
Title: Re: New Zealand hit by record cold temperatures overnight
Post by: Rwood on June 23, 2015, 07:11:02 PM

Apart from Pukaki's reading (from a not very long record), I don't see any evidence of records as yet. Will wait till a proper report comes out.