Windy Tuesday

The MetService has issued a Special Weather Advisory

SPECIAL WEATHER ADVISORY FOR Central and southern North Island, and near Cook Strait

ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 10:56am Sunday 26-Dec-2010

EXCEPTIONAL WINDS POSSIBLE ON TUESDAY

A very strong, moist northerly flow should affect the North Island and the Marlborough Sounds on Tuesday. Gale force winds are likely in many places from Taranaki to the Central Plateau and southwards, especially about hilltops and ranges.

Many places in this area could experience unusually strong winds, and there is a risk of damage to trees and loose structures, including tents. Furthermore, driving conditions are likely to be difficult or possibly hazardous, especially to trucks, high-sided vehicles and those towing trailers or caravans.

People in or travelling through these areas should keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings, and exercise caution.

National Advisory: Tsunami - No Threat to New Zealand

National Advisory: Tsunami - No Threat to New Zealand

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No: 01

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Issued at 02:55 hours on 26/12/2010.

Issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM).

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An earthquake has occurred with these parameters:

Origin time:	1317 ZULU 25 Dec 2010
NZ time:	0217NZDT 26 Dec 2010
Co-ordinates:	19.7 South 168.0 East
Depth:	33KM
Location:	Vanuatu Island region
Magnitude:	7.6

The above magnitude is provisional and may be increased or decreased as more seismic data becomes available.

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Summary:

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Information Bulletin in response to the above earthquake.

Only messages issued by MCDEM represent the official warning status for New Zealand.

MCDEM has assessed the information with the assistance of scientific advisors. Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand.

This advisory has been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media.

This will be the final message via the national warning system for this event unless the event parameters change significantly.

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NCMC status:

The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) is not activated.

Normal Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management contact details apply.
General enquiries to 04 473 7363
Media enquiries to 04 494 6951

Useful websites:
http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
http://www.getthru.govt.nz/

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Issued by:

Message authorised by the National Controller, Civil Defence Emergency Management.

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End of Message

SH 58 - expect delays around the Inlet

Due to the extreme high king tides and severe gales, the normally placid Pauatahanui Inlet is throwing waves and driftwood and other debris onto the road, bringing it down to one lane in places, so please take care, and plan for some delays of you are heading out that way.

It's currently high tide right now, and the next high tide will be a bit before 2am tonight, though hopefully the wind will have eased by then.


Have a safe Christmas & New Year!

High tides & big waves

We are currently experiencing king tides due to the sun & the moon lining up on opposite sides of the Earth (coincidentally why we had a nice lunar eclipse on Tuesday). Combined with the strong winds we can expect 2-4 metre swells until around the 28th of December - in Mana, Pukerua Bay, and along Centennial Highway (and along State Highway 58 around Pauatahanui). Extra care may be required driving along the coastal roads due to the waves & wind tossing things onto the road, and take some extra care if you happen to be out fishing these holidays!

Shakin' & blowin'

Masterton had a nice shake this morning to make sure everyone was awake.


The following earthquake has been recorded by GNS:

Reference number: 3435604/G
Universal Time: 2010/12/22 18:02:07
Local time (NZDT): 07:02 AM on Thursday 23 December 2010
Latitude, Longitude: 40.87S, 175.54E
NZ Map Grid (E, N): 2724000, 6034000
NZ Trans Merc (E, N): 1814000, 5472000
Location: 10 km north-west of Masterton
Focal depth: 25
Magnitude: 4.1
Web page: http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3435604g.html
Web service: http://www.geonet.org.nz/services/quake/3435604g

Felt in the lower North Island.

And the MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning for north to northwest gales overnight and tomorrow morning - gusting to 120km/h in exposed areas of Wellington and up to 130km/h up the Rimutaka Hill Rd - so take extra care if you are driving over the hill to spend Christmas Eve with familiy & friends in Wairarapa.

National Advisory: Tsunami - No Threat to New Zealand

Wow, it's been months since I've seen one of these, fortunately it's not a threat to us.

It's a handy reminder to think about what you might do if you had to evacuate, or to find out if you live or work in a tsunami evacuation zone, if you don't yet know.

National Advisory: Tsunami - No Threat to New Zealand

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No: 01

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Issued at 07:00 hours on 22/12/2010.

Issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM).

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An earthquake has occurred with these parameters:

Origin time:	1720 ZULU 21 DEC 2010
NZ time:	0620 NZDT 22 DEC 2010
Co-ordinates:	27.5 NORTH 143.4 EAST
Depth:	10 KM
Location:	BONIN ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
Magnitude:	7.4

The above magnitude is provisional and may be increased or decreased as more seismic data becomes available.

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Summary:

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Information Bulletin in response to the above earthquake.

Only messages issued by MCDEM represent the official warning status for New Zealand.

MCDEM has assessed the information with the assistance of scientific advisors. Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand.

This advisory has been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media.

This will be the final message via the national warning system for this event unless the event parameters change significantly.

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NCMC status:

The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) is not activated.

Normal Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management contact details apply.
General enquiries to 04 473 7363
Media enquiries to 04 494 6951

Useful websites:
http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
http://www.getthru.govt.nz/

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Issued by:

Message authorised by the National Controller, Civil Defence Emergency Management.

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End of Message

Severe Weather Warning - Severe northwest gales

It's been a while since I've had to post one of these - the weather has been so nice lately, though not good for the fire danger - the recent rain has helped drop it back to what I'd expect for this time of year, it was almost a month ahead of schedule previously.

The MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning for severe northerly/northwest gales for Wellington during Tuesday morning and afternoon - 75km/h gusting to 130 in exposed places. There's also a warning for heavy rain (150-200mm) in the Tararua's if you were planning on going tramping in the next day or so, so the lead up to Christmas is looking a bit soggy - at least it'll help the grass grow, the farmers were getting worried.

Anyone feel that?

The following earthquake has been recorded by GNS:

Reference number: 3417589/G
Universal Time: 2010/12/05 21:42:27
Local time (NZDT): 10:42 AM on Monday 06 December 2010
Latitude, Longitude: 41.18S, 174.63E
NZ Map Grid (E, N): 2647000, 6002000
NZ Trans Merc (E, N): 1737000, 5441000
Location: 20 km north-west of Wellington
Focal depth: 30
Magnitude: 3.6
Web page: http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3417589g.html
Web service: http://www.geonet.org.nz/services/quake/3417589g

Felt in the Wellington region.