RE: weather in New Zealand.

[Mark]

New Zealand Shivers
New Zealand is back in the freezer, with fresh snow warnings, widespread frost and another closure of the Desert Road.

The latest polar southerly sent temperatures plunging Monday: Aoraki/Mount Cook fell to -8C (17.6F), Tekapo to -5C (23F) and Queenstown to -4C (24.8F); and snow shut the Desert Road (SH1) between Rangipo and Waiouru.

Looking ahead, MetService issued another Desert Road snowfall warning Tuesday, running from 9am through 3am Wednesday.

The chill extends well beyond the mountains. MetService says persistent southerlies are drawing cold air directly from the Southern Ocean, with widespread overnight frosts and possible black ice across parts of the country.

Westerlies should bring a temporary moderation Friday, but the polar boundary is forecast to return to the South Island over the weekend.

This all comes barely ten days after New Zealand’s exceptional early-August freeze, when Taumarunui dropped to -7.2C (19F)—its coldest temperature on record—and Rotorua hit a new all-time low of -5.6C (21.9F).

Winter, evidently, still has plenty left in the tank.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/new-zealand-shivers-high-arctic-cold

[Mark]

A major storm has brought deep powder to the South Island in what could be the largest dump of the season for some ski fields. Snow fell to low levels across inland areas during Wednesday and Thursday, piling up on the high roads, while strong winds and blizzard conditions caused widespread ski field closures.

Storm totals haven’t come in yet, but Treble Cone reported 60cm had fallen by late Thursday, and those in Canterbury that managed to take a snow reading reported between 25 and 35cm. Milder air muscled its way back in late in the day, turning the snow to rain and bringing significant avalanche risks that will likely affect operations today, Friday, as ski fields deal with the threat.

The heavy rain shifts to Mt Ruapehu on Friday as the storm moves north, while strong winds and showers linger over the South Island. Another colder westerly blast then arrives over the weekend, bringing more strong winds and snow showers through Monday before things briefly settle on Tuesday. The Southern Lakes will capitalise on this new snowfall with around 10-20cm expected, while Canterbury and Mt Ruapehu will get a dusting or small top-up.
https://www.mountainwatch.com/Snow-news/the-grasshoppers-new-zealand-weekend-forecast-friday-august-28th-biggest-dump-of-the-season-for-some-with-more-powder-and-strong-winds-incoming/

[Mark]

A significant winter storm is bearing down on New Zealand’s South Island, with heavy snow threatening the likes of inland Otago and Canterbury from Wednesday into Friday.

MetService has issued a ‘Heavy Snow Watch’ for the Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River and parts of Otago, with heavy snow expected above 800 m (2,600 ft) and moderate accumulations down to 400 m (1,300 ft).

NZTA is warning of major travel disruption.

More than 30 cm (12 in) could accumulate on sections of State Highways 8 and 80 through the Mackenzie Basin and South Canterbury, with around 20 cm (8 in) possible on SH73 above 700 m (2,300 ft).

Road closures and restrictions are likely if the forecast verifies, with officials warning that vehicles could become trapped. MetService warns the snow could also damage trees and powerlines, and place livestock under stress.

The system will stall over the South Island, drawing in colder air as precipitation intensifies.

The southerly push comes as deep Antarctic cold persists farther south: Amundsen–Scott fell to -73C (-99.4F) again on Aug 25.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/heavy-snow-to-hammer-new-zealand