Extreme weather in South Island New Zealand

Weather: Hail and thunder storms

Hail and thunderstorms have pounded parts of Christchurch as thousands of Canterbury A&P Show punters enjoy the first day of festivities.

The Press,

12 November, 2014

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North Canterbury was under a MetService severe thunderstorm watch today because of the risk of large amounts of hail falling in some areas.

MetService meteorologist Chris Noble said an active trough from inland Timaru extended north bringing heavy downpours, hail and thunder.

Some Cantabrians reported heavy hail and sleet in Culverden, Oxford and Methven this afternoon, with lesser amounts reported around Christchurch and Rangiora.

Noble was unable to confirm how much hail or snow had fallen, but said it had been cold enough for snow down to 700 metres in Canterbury's high country and alpine passes, while lower areas would have been hit by hail.

Richie Cosgrove

HAIL STORM: Construction workers take shelter outside the Isaac Theatre Royal

''Our radars have picked up a lot of hail in those thunderstorms.''

A few more showers were expected overnight, with some possibly bringing more hail.

The cold and wet weather was expected to continue tomorrow, but should gradually clear by this evening, Noble said.

''Friday should clear up quite nicely actually.''

Southwesterly winds should ease back, becoming northeasterly along the eastern coast and northwesterly across inland Canterbury.

''It should be pretty good for Show Day,'' he said.

""Here in Riwaka (Nelson) ... the hail was nearly a foot deep on the ground and that's an unprecedented event."

Nelson growers facing ruin after hailstorm

A group of pipfruit growers north of Nelson are facing financial ruin after their orchards were wiped out by a violent hailstorm last week.

Radio NZ,

11 November, 2014

Thstorm has damaged apple orchards at an important time.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today visited growers in the worst-hit areas of Riwaka and Moutere where visibly emotional orchardist Steve Moriarty told him the damage has been gut-wrenching.

Early estimates suggest a $40 million hit to the local economy through the loss of pipfruit, kiwifruit, hops and equipment. But the full extent of the damage to growers, their crops and the wider economy would not be known for some weeks.

Listen to more on Checkpoint ( 3 min 43 esc )

Orchardist Ian Palmer, who is also Pipfruit New Zealand's co-ordinator for the hail response, said the damage has been massive.

"Here in Riwaka ... the hail was nearly a foot deep on the ground and that's an unprecedented event. There's estimates that it could be well in excess of a million cartons of apples lost and I think that's reasonably accurate, probably a hit to the district of about $30 to $40 million."

Riwaka pipfruit grower Paul Hayward said one orchard in particular has taken a massive hit.

"They have an absolute 100 percent total write-off of their whole apple crop and also huge damage to their kiwifruit crop. They have a packhouse that will not be operating this year. So in terms of their staff and even permanent staff, there is a real dilemma for them to work through. So they've got a tough year."

Many growers had opted not to take out hail insurance on their orchards in a bid to keep costs down.

Nathan Guy said it was sobering to see the destroyed netting and fruit.

"I saw some photos last week where there were wheelbarrows of hail and large balls - so to come and see it now and see the damage there is, is quite depressing. To see the canopy that's been shredded and stripped by the hail will cause quite a bit of heartache for kiwifruit growers, and now we're going to see an apple orchard.

It's good to see it firsthand - because pictures can only tell you so much and I think we're talking about sort of 40 local growers and in the last 24 hours -15 of them have filled in the survey that's only just gone - out so they're well-engaged in putting their hand up and saying, 'Hey we need a bit of help here how can you provide some technical advice?'

"Good to be on the ground, good to see it firsthand and we'll do what we can to help," the minister said.

See also - 

Devastating storm for Motueka growers

Hail storm smashes Motueka orchards