Fresh 'bout of strong winds' hits, mainly blustering Wellington
Planes are diverting landings at Wellington Aiport as strong gusts strike the country again. A plane failed to land properly and re-takes to the skies during gusty conditions around Wellington Airport on Sunday, causing major disruptions to arriving flights. MetService recorded the wind at Wellington Airport blowing 113kph gusts and Mt Kaukau blowing the highest gusts of 120kph in the region. The main flights affected have been Fiji Airways flight from Nadi, Jetstar flight from Gold Coast has just landed on their second attempt and an Air NZ flight from Hamilton had a missed approach due to wind this morning but landed on the second attempt. More than 9000 households in the Canterbury region were without power on Saturday night. Electric company MainPower have warned North Canterbury residents to be prepared for extended power outages in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts. Road snowfall is also likely from Sunday afternoon on South Island’s Lindis Pass.
发表 : 2年前 经过 Shilpy Arora and Poppy Clark 在 Weather
A plane fails to land properly and re-takes to the skies during gusty conditions around Wellington Airport on Sunday.
Wellington is bearing the brunt of strong gusts in both islands just a day after damaging winds brought down trees and cut power to thousands of Canterbury homes.
Flights into the capital struggled against by strong winds on Sunday morning, with some passengers saying the landings were pretty rough.
“It was smooth sailing till the final descent and then the plane was bouncing all over the place. Passengers were vomiting, and there was lots of applause when we finally touched down,” Clio Francis said.
Just after midday MetService recorded the wind at Wellington Airport blowing 113kph gusts and Mt Kaukau blowing the highest gusts of 120kph in the region.
A Wellington Airport spokesperson said high winds have caused disruptions to arriving flights.
”The main flights affected have been Fiji Airways flight from Nadi was unable to land and has diverted to Auckland, Jetstar flight from Gold Coast has just landed on their second attempt and an Air NZ flight from Hamilton had a missed approach due to wind this morning but landed on the second attempt.”
MetService forecaster Juliene Bergholt said strong wind warnings were in place for Canterbury plains and Christchurch.
“There are still some orange warnings for Canterbury high country and Yellow warning for Christchurch. [The wind gust will be] less than yesterday [Saturday] but still significant, especially in places where damage was [caused] yesterday.
“We are not expecting anything over 110kph on Sunday,” she said but popular ski area Mt Hutt recorded 120kph gusts at lunchtime.
Air New Zealand said 23 flights on Saturday were cancelled due to weather.
“Customers who had their travel plans disrupted would have been re-accommodated on the next available service,” an Air New Zealand spokesperson said.
Some exposed areas in Canterbury recorded gusts of up to 200kph on Saturday, bringing down power lines and toppling trees. More than 9000 households in the Canterbury region were without power on Saturday night.
With strong gusts expected again on Sunday electric company MainPower have warned North Canterbury residents to be prepared for extended power outages in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
A MainPower spokesperson said they were doing everything they could to restore power with crews from around the South Island travelling to North Canterbury to assist with repairs but the wind had caused “extensive damage” and they could not give a timeframe for when power would be restored.
“Large numbers of faults continue to be identified, customers currently without power should be preparing for extended power outages.”
MetService said the “really intense” strong winds on Sunday were expected as an active trough moves east across the country.
Orange wind warnings are currently in place in the Tararua District, Wairarapa, Wellington, Marlborough, Canterbury High Country and a strong watch is in place over the Canterbury Plaines.
“Strong wind gusts could damage trees, power lines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.”
Heavy rain that could lead to surface flooding and slips is expected in South Island’s Tasman west of Motueka, Buller and Grey districts, until 5pm on Sunday.
“Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
The heavy rain in the Tasman region would likely develop late Monday or early Tuesday.
Road snowfall was also likely from Sunday afternoon on South Island’s Lindis Pass on SH8, Crown Range Road, and Milford Road on SH94.