Lifts buried in giant snowfall

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts

SNOWED UNDER:: Staff at Mt Ruapehu shovel off some of the more than two metres of snow that had gathered on roofs.

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Three unusual weather events have combined to create a "polar outbreak" bringing some of New Zealand's heaviest snow in years.

Mt Ruapehu in the Central Plateau received the biggest snowfall in more than 20 years, staff said. They had to shovel off more than two metres of snow that had gathered on service building roofs, threatening to collapse them.

The dump was so heavy, it buried the snow stake used to measure snowfall.

The mountain was open yesterday - some snow-buried lifts were closed - but both its ski-fields now boast snow bases of almost four metres.

Staff at Whakapapa and Turoa ski-fields have reported on their website that they are "snowed under" with work, with patrollers on "the immense task of avalanche control whilst everyone else will be digging".

The Conservation Department has warned trampers of the high risk of avalanches on the Tongariro Crossing and back-country areas in Tongariro National Park.

DOC Turangi Taupo area manager Dave Lumley said only experienced trampers and skiers should venture into the areas in current conditions.

MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said around 80cm of fresh snow had fallen on central North Island mountains in the past week and a metre or more on the Southern Alps - with more to come.

MetService issued warnings yesterday for about 8cm of snow expected to fall on the Rimutaka Hill Road last night and this morning, while the Desert Road is expected to get 15cm of snow over the same period.

Mr McDavitt said snowfalls had been heavy for three reasons:

* The Tasman Sea had become a "breeding ground" for low-pressure systems since mid July.

* The lows had often moved slowly, allowing more time for snow or rain to fall.

* Cold air from the Southern Ocean had been drawn north and then over New Zealand, tipping the balance toward snow and away from rain.

Mr McDavitt said a severe weather warning was in place for more snow till about midday today.

Severe weather forecaster Ian Miller said that during the "polar outbreak", snow from heavy flurries would quickly accumulate in South Island areas.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Petra Bollard   #1   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

You think you've got unusual weather in New Zealand. Here in Newton Abbot, Devon, England (Southern England) we have experienced an awful summer resulting in record railfall. Temperatures have been very low, and I believe May was our best month. It honestly seems as if it has rained since the beginning of June! Global warming?

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