Hawke's Bay has experienced what could be the region's last snowfall of the year. Photo / Warren Buckland
Hawke's Bay has experienced what could be the region's last snowfall of the year. Photo / Warren Buckland
Hawke's Bay woke to the delight of snow on its lower hills on Friday, and rain on its plains.
Snow fell on the hills around Puketitiri on Thursday and Friday, but MetService meteorologist April Clark warns it may be the last dusting for some time.
"There certainly has been snow with a really cold air mass coming through, with plenty of showers and rain creating snow down to lower levels for Hawke's Bay," she said.
"We were forecasting snow down to about 900 metres on Friday, but that is easing off."
Patoka resident Jessie Thompson drove 12km from her home to Puketitiri to experience fresh snow for the first time with her 4-year-old stepdaughter.
Thompson said her child, who also had not experienced snow before, was moved to tears when they stepped foot on the snow – but not for quite the right reasons.
"She was very excited until she got out of the car and burst into tears and hated it because it was cold and wet," she said. "But while it was actually still snowing, it was amazing.
"It's something we'll see more of as the years go on, with the way winter drags out into summer and summer drags out into winter. I just feel for all the farm babies that were in the snow under Mum trying to keep warm."
Clark said while cold outbreaks and snow are typical for early spring, the chances of a further dusting are decreasing.
"It's relatively common, especially in early spring, to have large fluctuations in temperatures and weather - it can go from rain and snow to fine the next day," she said.
"It's a changeable season, so we'll be getting warm northwesterlies ahead of a front, which means Hawke's Bay will get really warm days."
MetService meteorologist April Clark said while cold outbreaks are typical in early spring, the chances of further snow are decreasing. Photo / Warren Buckland
As the snow fell, so did the rain.
A station in the mountains in Te Haroto got 105mm of rain in the 24 hours to 8am Friday, while Wairoa got 40.6mm.
Clark said recent cold fronts that brought the rain in the last couple of days are beginning to move off to the east, meaning any showers around will begin to clear out.
"Saturday will be fine with some morning frost, which will lead to quite a chilly morning. But cloudy periods and sea breezes will be present from afternoon," she said.
As thousands descend on Hastings Racecourse for the Livamol Classic - Bostock New Zealand Spring Racing Carnival on Saturday, temperatures will reach a high of 17C in Hastings, while Napier can expect 18C.
Clark said Sunday will be generally fine with some high cloud thickening in the afternoon, with highs of 18C in both Napier and Hastings.
"It's looking like a decent weekend in Hawke's Bay."
