# Polar blast hits New Zealand: Auckland gets first snow in 80 years **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 15, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759 "2011-08-15T05:14:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/1 "2011-08-15T05:14:41Z")
Story [here](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10745187). Wellington has also had snow [in the city centre](http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5447771/Top-10-Wellington-snow-photos) for the first time in about 40 years. NZ Dopers? Any reactions? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/2 "2011-08-15T05:29:22Z")
Drive safely, folks! We in Canada have enough problems adjusting to the first snowfall of winter every year; I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to adjust to the first snowfall in forty years. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/3 "2011-08-15T05:31:56Z")
Not a Kiwi, but I hate to tell the fine people of Queenstown that -4C might be really unusually cold for them but it does not count as bitterly cold. Bundle up and you’ll be fine! Snow in places where it doesn’t snow can be fun. I had a white Christmas in New Orleans a few years ago. Only a quarter inch or so fell but it was the first time that had happened in 50 years, the local kids were ecstatic. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/4 "2011-08-15T10:07:33Z")
We’re in coastal Hawke’s Bay, about the only place in the whole country \*not \*to get a layer of snow, much to the kid’s annoyance. Still, it’s colder than normal and they’re promising sleet for us tomorrow so … yay? There’s a few hundred people who have no power due to the storm, and a few thousand people in Christchurch in quake damaged homes. We’re sure as hell not going to be complaining up here. Fun for the big city folks for whom this is a fun rarity, a hassle for the farmers for whom it bloody isn’t, especially since they’ve had a slightly smaller event a couple of weeks ago. It’s winter. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/5 "2011-08-15T15:08:38Z")
Geez, my friends in Christchurch just can’t catch a break these days! I will have to give them another call to see if the earthquake cracks in their walls are allowing snow to fly into the house. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/6 "2011-08-15T15:19:03Z")
Auckland is where my friend **Icewolf** lives. I hope you’re okay, Hon! _worried look_ Quasi ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/7 "2011-08-15T21:39:09Z")
The snow in Auckland is light flurries that don’t settle - they have no concerns. The upper hill suburbs of Wellington are having ice issues which isn’t entirely unusual. Though why they still haven’t got the machinery to clear the roads is beyond me. I had a friend out that way who reckoned the roads iced up every winter (this was back in the late 80/90’s). And another brilliant sunny day in this neck of the woods, despite heavy snow warnings for inland areas. ---
**Author:** ![Chen019](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@Chen019](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chen019)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/8 "2011-08-16T05:42:53Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > Story [here](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10745187). Wellington has also had snow [in the city centre](http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5447771/Top-10-Wellington-snow-photos) for the first time in about 40 years. > > NZ Dopers? Any reactions? It’s great, my whole office stopped to stare out the window in wonderment at the snow falling 🙂 Also, my neighbours kids were actually sledding down the street. Unreal. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/9 "2011-08-17T23:43:42Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > NZ Dopers? Any reactions? It’s feckin’ freezing! 🙂 Haven’t actually seen any of the Auckland snow… it’s not problem in our area **Quasi**. (I live within a mile of **IceWolf** … though really, when you think about it… someone with that username should be feeling right at home in snow…) 😛 It’s not nearly as cold here as it gets in the US (I’ve been much colder in Iowa for example), but our houses aren’t built with the same level of insulation (even the newer ones) as the usual temperatures here are pretty mild… so we’re feeling the cold even if it’s not that bad in absolute terms. That said, my built-in-the-50s wooden house with minimal insulation is a bleeding ice-box at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/10 "2011-08-18T00:42:40Z")
Welcome to Global Warming. 😃 Remember, it’s just weather when it’s cold. But if you were sweltering, it is Global Warming. OK the cold is also due to Global Warming. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/11 "2011-08-18T15:54:45Z")
…heh! I had planned a TFP photoshoot a couple of weeks before the blast hit: it was supposed to be a shoot at a waterfall. Well, as I was waiting for the model to turn up, it started raining, then the rain started to turn to mush, then the snow came down in a hurry. We still went through with the shoot though. Very brave model! [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.193086840753825.49788.174587205937122&type=1](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.193086840753825.49788.174587205937122&type=1) ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/12 "2011-08-19T07:54:24Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …heh! > > I had planned a TFP photoshoot a couple of weeks before the blast hit: it was supposed to be a shoot at a waterfall. Well, as I was waiting for the model to turn up, it started raining, then the rain started to turn to mush, then the snow came down in a hurry. We still went through with the shoot though. Very brave model! > > [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.193086840753825.49788.174587205937122&type=1](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.193086840753825.49788.174587205937122&type=1) When you shot pic ten, did you have the camera just a few inches off the ground ? Declan ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/13 "2011-08-19T17:26:19Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Welcome to Global Warming. Climate change. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/14 "2011-08-19T18:26:35Z")
I didn’t imagine that snow was common in Auckland, but I had no idea it was _that_ rare. I’m going to be there in a few months. I hope it melts by then! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/15 "2011-08-19T22:29:35Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > I didn’t imagine that snow was common in Auckland, but I had no idea it was _that_ rare. > > I’m going to be there in a few months. I hope it melts by then! 😃 It’s on an isthmus, so pretty much at sea level and surrounded by sea. I think it’s already back to its usual rain/sun/rain/sun/rain/sunshower/sun/rain daily pattern, \*\*Apollyon \*\*should be able to confirm. The only thing that will change now is the steadily rising humidity through to Christmas. I lived there for six or so years and never got used to the weather, does it show? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/16 "2011-08-19T23:14:31Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Climate change. +1 Welcome to more extreme weather events. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/17 "2011-08-19T23:43:58Z")
It snows every year in Dunedin where I’m from, and I kind of miss that, but it was quite the blizzard they all went through last week and I definitely am glad to have moved to a country where it never snows to sea level (touch wood). ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/18 "2011-08-21T21:08:14Z")
> [@maggenpye](#): > > I think it’s already back to its usual rain/sun/rain/sun/rain/sunshower/sun/rain daily pattern, \*\*Apollyon \*\*should be able to confirm. Fine and sunny over the weekend. Damn chilly this morning but looking to be another warm day. 🙂 You should note **Freddy the Pig** that when **maggenpye** speaks of the rain/sun… rinse… repeat daily pattern that is actually all in the same day. 🙂 (While _Crowded House_ was inspired by Melbourne to write “Four Seasons in One Day” it could just as easily be applied to Auckland). > [@](#): > > I lived there for six or so years and never got used to the weather, does it show? The nice thing is that no matter how nasty the weather gets you know that it’s not going to last long. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/19 "2011-08-22T02:31:52Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > When you shot pic ten, did you have the camera just a few inches off the ground ? > > Declan …yeah, on a tripod. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polar-blast-hits-new-zealand-auckland-gets-first-snow-in-80-years/592759/20 "2011-08-22T03:13:57Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > Fine and sunny over the weekend. Damn chilly this morning but looking to be another warm day. 🙂 > > You should note **Freddy the Pig** that when **maggenpye** speaks of the rain/sun… rinse… repeat daily pattern that is actually all in the same day. 🙂 (While _Crowded House_ was inspired by Melbourne to write “Four Seasons in One Day” it could just as easily be applied to Auckland). > > The nice thing is that no matter how nasty the weather gets you know that it’s not going to last long. 🙂 True dat, as they say.