Gust Fronts L ate in the afternoon of 22 March 2022 a thunderstorm front swept down the lower North Island, which was recorded by the MetService rain radar, the WHGPC’s Holfuy weather station at Paekakariki, and in several dramatic photographs.
Prior to the storm hitting, the wind conditions were light, and if coming from the opposite direction would have been very pleasant for flying. Within a 15 minute window between 7:15pm and 7:30pm the wind gusts rose from the mid 20s (km/h) to 79 km/h before then dropping back to the mid 20s. These images give a very dramatic representation as to why you should not be in the air when there is a thunderstorm around, as the gust fronts can be very strong. Fronts like this can move in very rapidly and can be preceded by very turbulent air and very strong lifting air so it pays to land well before they
Above; Gust front over Kapiti Island at about 7:00pm Photo: Fiona Gunter-Firth
get close. Once on the ground pack up quickly - the rain associated with the front can be drenching.
Thunderstorm clouds near Linton, south of Palmerston North, at about 5pm. Photo: Sven Ericksen MetService rain radar
Paekakariki weather station on 22 March 2022 Right; Andy Maloney flying at Paekakariki in calmer conditions, with Kapiti Island in the distance. Photo: Sven Ericksen
Below; Thunderstorm clouds near Linton.
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By Sven Ericksen
Photo: Sven Ericksen
