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Bacause contrary to popular belief, Australia has a very large snowsports industry located in the Snowy Mountains ( The Australian Alps ) of NSW and Victoria
And while the average temperatures may be marginal some seasons, the windward side of the ranges are up with the wettest regions of the continent, with susequent heavy snowfalls, especially above 1400m-1500m.
Before the modern era ski industry and National Parks, the High Country was used extensively for summer season cattle grazing; there are still 5th and 6th generation cattle station owners dotted throughout the region.
The Aussie 'ringer' ethos ( cowboy ) of the High Country is deeply etched into the national psyche....The Man From Snowy River, and Clancy Of The Overflow, are two such characters.
I suspect the same is true here -an older reporting system used here showed that snowfall had been observed by an individual (the criteria) just about every year in Nelson, yet I've never talked to anyone who has seen falling snow in Nelson.
Most of the low level snow comes to New Zealand on a south west or southerly flow which Nelson is well sheltered from. Also Nelson is too warm for warm advection type snow events unlike the nearby Canterbury region.
The year we had snow flurries in the Auckland region(2011) the precipitation came from deep Cb cloud on a southwest flow. Precipitation in Auckland when the temperature is below 8C is rare.
It's fairly common around Cape Town, at least close up. Most winters you'll be able to see snow from the city but you'd have to make an effort to reach it and the visible snow would typically require a hike/climb.
You can see snow on the Helderberg here. It's no more than 8-9 km from the coast and those peaks are about 1000m so we're not talking super high mountains but the point from which the photo was taken has probably never recorded snow.
Peter Southwood, Wikimedia
Definitely a a plus for Cape Town's already excellent climate - having the ability to easily access snow, from a place that doesn't see snow, makes for a great climate imo.
Most years here the snow would fall to within about a 10 minute drive 1-3 times a year
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikau Palm
Most of the low level snow comes to New Zealand on a south west or southerly flow which Nelson is well sheltered from. Also Nelson is too warm for warm advection type snow events unlike the nearby Canterbury region.
The year we had snow flurries in the Auckland region(2011) the precipitation came from deep Cb cloud on a southwest flow. Precipitation in Auckland when the temperature is below 8C is rare.
Ranges to the south and west do a pretty good job of keeping of keeping precipitation from those directions low, but strong southerlies that bring snow to other areas still make their presence felt here - rain at temperatures barely above freezing is quite common here, and freezing rain would be experienced most winters --- fortunately both brief in duration.
Most of the low level snow comes to New Zealand on a south west or southerly flow which Nelson is well sheltered from. Also Nelson is too warm for warm advection type snow events unlike the nearby Canterbury region.
The year we had snow flurries in the Auckland region(2011) the precipitation came from deep Cb cloud on a southwest flow. Precipitation in Auckland when the temperature is below 8C is rare.
Curious what's meant by this. Or did you mean to say cold advection?
Curious what's meant by this. Or did you mean to say cold advection?
It's considered warm because the existing airmass is the cold airmass, and the advective air mass is the warmer and moist one - it's what causes freezing rain here.
It's considered warm because the existing airmass is the cold airmass, and the advective air mass is the warmer and moist one - it's what causes freezing rain here.
Curious what's meant by this. Or did you mean to say cold advection?
Warmer air pushing into colder air mass. Here in New Zealand subtropical lows can create heavy snow in Winter as the warm front pushes south into low level cold air. The eastern South Island above 200m is where this mostly occurs. The snow can fall to sea level. Most of our heavy snow events occur from this type of set up and the Canterbury region is the sweet spot for this.
Last edited by Nikau Palm; 11-07-2022 at 03:19 AM..
It's considered warm because the existing airmass is the cold airmass, and the advective air mass is the warmer and moist one - it's what causes freezing rain here.
I think NZ is too warm for freezing rain. The colder parts of NZ can see light rain showers moving in on frosty morning and creating some ice but this is not freezing rain.
I think NZ is too warm for freezing rain. The colder parts of NZ can see light rain showers moving in on frosty morning and creating some ice but this is not freezing rain.
MAYBE the bottom third of the south Island but working in Queenstown for quite some time during winter where temperatures are regularly below freezing I never witnessed Freezing rain.
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