This Week's Weather Forecasting 5th - 9th March 2012

[Suezy]

At least 30,000 customers in Taranaki and Whanganui regions are without electricity, and it could be days before power is restored

Powerco says its network began receiving damage at about 1am, as the front of the storm crossed the North Island.

The company says there is significant damage to powerlines, and more power cuts are expected.

It believes some customers could be waiting up to five days for power to be restored.

Civil Defence says that power is also out to a number of homes in Auckland.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/30-000-without-power-in-taranaki-whanganui-4752368

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[TokWW]

Weather Bomb Hits Taranaki -

More Storms are predicted - Theory

The storm which blasted through parts of the country on the weekend fits with a climate change theory that vigorous storms could become more common in future.

Winds reached around 150kmh at the height of the storm, with violent gales and heavy rain causing millions of dollars' worth of damage. Roofs were ripped off, trees broken and blown down, and power poles knocked over.

After the worst of the storm on Saturday around 30,000 customers of electricity distribution company Powerco were without power.




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MetService media and communications meteorologist Daniel Corbett said winds in coastal areas of South Taranaki may have reached as high as 150kmh, in line with peak wind speeds in exposed areas near Cook Strait.

But it was difficult to give an accurate measurement, given the power cut at Hawera and the lack of a measuring site at the hard-hit town of Patea further to the south.

"It was a beast of a storm there were some very, very strong winds, and it was very unusual for the time of year."
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NIWA climate scientist Andrew Tait said the storm was consistent with the climate change theory that such events could become more common.

But statistically there was no evidence yet to show the frequency of vigorous storms was changing.

It was "a very, very difficult thing" to show statistically, because storms as strong as that on the weekend were rare, Tait said.

According to a theory of climate change, a warmer atmosphere could hold more moisture and therefore storms could have more of a punch in future.

The weekend weather was consistent with that theory, but it was difficult to say whether that particular storm could be attributed to a warmer atmosphere, Tait said. -
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The weather bomb, with its rapid decrease in air pressure, high winds and heavy rain, brought down trees and power poles in Wellington. A wind gust of 148kmh was recorded at Mt Kaukau late on Saturday morning.

Ferry sailings across Cook Strait were cancelled on Saturday and harbourmaster Michael Pryce said swells of about 9.5 metres made things "pretty lumpy" at sea.
 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6522245/More-storms-likely-theory

[JennyLeez]

MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Northern Hawke's Bay and Gisborne with heavy rain possible from late Wednesday to Friday.

It said a strong moist, southeast flow is forecast to develop over the northeast of the North Island late Wednesday and persist through to Friday, bringing a prolonged period of rain to Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay.

"Some moderate to heavy falls are possible during this time, especially about the hills and ranges, and rainfall accumulations may reach warning criteria," it said.


People in these areas are advised to remain up to date with the latest forecasts in case this watch is upgraded to a full warning nearer the event.

[Suezy]

Just got in and watched the video on WW and sure enough you are going to get it again.  Going to be nice down here though.