[Secretary]

Hi all, the following is from Leigh Matheson from Metservice. They would like support for a proposal to fund more comprehensive mountain forecasts and of mountain areas which currently don’t have any mountain forecasts.
The mock preview will be on the club noticeboard from Wed 27th May.

Please send your correspondence of support to the Minister of Transport, Steven Joyce. Contact details on this website http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/steven+joyce

To the mountain clubs of New Zealand,

A year ago I sent an enquiry to many clubs about what they felt about the current mountain forecasts, and what they thought needed to be improved.
Now, after many very constructive emails (thank you very much), we have identified a need for a more comprehensive mountain weather service and have put together a proposal to take to the government for increasing the detail and coverage of mountain forecasts in New Zealand.

The recreational mountain areas within the proposed service are:

Rakiura National Park

Fiordland National Park

The Southern Alps, including Aspiring National Park, Mt Cook/Westland National Parks, Arthurs Pass National Park, Craigieburn Forest Park, and Sumner Forest Park

Kaikoura/Clarence Mountains

Victoria Conservation Park and Kahurangi National Park

Nelson Lakes National Park

Richmond Forest Park

Tararua Forest Park

Ruahine/Kaweka/Kaimanawa Forest Parks’s

Whiriniki Forest Park/Te Urewera National Park/Raukumara Forest Park

Egmont National Park

Tongariro National Park

The content of the proposed forecasts is as follows:

· A general situation statement – describing the broad scale weather patterns over New Zealand.

· Warning statement – this will state if any of the following applies over the following two days.

§ Severe gales – winds in excess of 80km/h, detailed in forecast.

§ Heavy Rain – falls in excess of 50mm/6hrs or 100mm/24hrs: detailed in area-specific forecasts and severe weather warnings.

§ Heavy snow – accumulations in excess of 50cm/6hrs or 100 cm/24hrs: detailed in area-specific forecasts and severe weather warnings.

§ Thunderstorm warnings

· Avalanche Risk – this statement is issued by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council. The NZ Metservice has no part in the production, nor takes any responsibility for, the information conveyed in this statement.

The forecast will start with a list, if required, of the following hazardous conditions (applicable to the specific forecast region at the time of the forecast).

§ Hill fog/white out conditions

§ Significant wind chill – below -10deg celcius

§ Gale or stronger winds – winds in excess of 65km/h

§ Heavy rainfall/snowfall – as per warning criteria

§ Risk of Thunderstorms

A Weather statement will then follow this will describe:

§ Details and timing of weather, including visibility reducing weather and cloud base.

§ Wind and temperature at significant levels, with corresponding wind chill.

§ Freezing level.

§ Sunset and sunrise times.

Finally, the potential weather conditions for the following three days will be provided; this Outlook will describe:

§ A brief outline of significant weather changes over the period

§ The potential for strong winds in the area

§ Changes in freezing level (per altitude)

Additional enhancements to the current mountain forecasts include,

· Details of hazards – allowing visitors to be clearly informed of the potential risk, especially if the individual is unfamiliar with New Zealand conditions.

· Warnings issued for severe gales over the mountain tops – current wind warnings are only relevant for urban areas and extreme winds over the mountain tops are not identified. These extreme winds are capable of lifting individuals from their feet and causing significant injury especially when in rugged terrain like the southern alps.

· More detailed forecasts specific to the unique nature of mountain weather.

· Better coverage of the New Zealand Mountains, allowing for more specific timing of weather events and significant cloud and snow levels specific to the region.

An example of a mock forecast has been attached to this email.

We would greatly appreciate your support in achieving this bid, albeit a difficult environment for funding.
However, the support of mountain users like yourselves would greatly increase the chances of Metservice being able to implement this service.

Please send your correspondence of support to the Minister of Transport, Steven Joyce. Contact details on this website http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/steven+joyce

Regards
Leigh Matheson – Metservice Forecaster

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