Snow, wind and showers as temperatures plummet, Desert Road closed by snow

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Temperatures are set to plummet around the country on Thursday, bringing heavy showers to some regions, and snow in the lower south.

Also, Waka Kotahi NZTA has advised snow has closed the Desert Rd, SH1, between Turangi and Waiouru in the central North Island. Snow had also closed SH46 between Rangipo and Tongariro.

MetService counted 1247 lightning strikes over land in the North Island overnight. Waikato stood out as the country’s “lightning rod” with 414 strikes, meteorologist Alec Holden said. Auckland had 329 strikes, while 112 were recorded In the South Island.

“We have this very broad pool of cold air that has rocketed up from the Antarctic and spread itself over the country,” Holden said.

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“As it moves over the warmer surfaces of New Zealand it becomes unstable and begins to rise, and does so quite rapidly, producing these thunderstorm cells,” Holden said.

The western half of the North Island was the area most likely to be hit by more thunderstorms during Thursday, but they were also possible elsewhere in the country.

A cold snap was predicted for much of New Zealand overnight on Tuesday, but warnings were lifted on Wednesday morning.

Stuff

A cold snap was predicted for much of New Zealand overnight on Tuesday, but warnings were lifted on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, Auckland was set for another day of showers and strong westerly winds with a colder high of 14C predicted following flooding earlier in the week. It would follow a night of thunderstorms including a lightning strike on the Sky Tower.

MetService said hail up to 10mm in diameter could fall on Thursday across Auckland. Hail that fell overnight was about 1mm.

“Thursday’s weather in Auckland will be much the same as it was on Wednesday,” MetService meteorologist Kathryn Hodge.

This Waka Kotahi NZTA traffic camera picture shows the Desert Road on Thursday morning.

Waka Kotahi NZTA

This Waka Kotahi NZTA traffic camera picture shows the Desert Road on Thursday morning.

Showers were set to develop in the morning in Wellington, which Hodge described as “potentially heavy”.

The rain will not last long as a southerly change crosses the capital which will ease before clearing out the showers by the afternoon. Wellington’s high was expected to be a nippy 11C.

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In the South Island, Christchurch’s high will be matching Wellington’s, along with showers in the morning.

There is a risk of thunderstorms in Banks Peninsula as well as strong winds with gusts up to 90kmh in the morning.

Hodge said the showers and wind should clear from the city by the afternoon and there will be some fine streaks of sun.

“Everybody is going to be feeling the chill across the country tomorrow.”

Gore has the lowest temperature for the country on Thursday sitting at a brisk 8C.

A heavy snow watch is in place for Southland north of the Waitaki River through to noon Thursday. Snow could fall in the area to between 400m and 500m, and could be heavy above 700m, MetService said.

Queenstown Lakes District Council advised the Crown Range Road was closed on Thursday morning, with crews working to clear snow and ice and grit the road.

”More snow is expected to fall this morning, so make sure you have chains in your vehicle and know how to fit them,” the council said.

Road snow warnings were in place for the Crown Range Road Thursday morning with the potential of 3-6cm to accumulate.

Milford Road also continues to have a road snow watch with the potential of 3-5cm of snow to accumulate on the road.

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