RESULTS
SURVEY FARMS
Banks Peninsula survey properties averaged 560ha and varied in altitude from sea level to 900m with slightly higher rainfall than the other land classes (Table 1). However the perceived risk of snowfall was slight compared with high or inland hill country farmers. High country properties averaged 5568ha, ranging from a mean altitude of 392m to 1445m while downs farms averaged 331ha and ranged in altitude from 224 to 341m. Plains properties averaged 342ha with a mean altitude of approximately 260m. The snow risk on the downs and plains properties was considered slight to moderate.
SNOWFALLS
The snows of July and August 1992 were very different (Table 2).
In July there was little wind hence snow depths were relatively even and drifts minimal (l.5m) compared with August (4.lm). The lower altitude properties on the plains, downs and Banks Peninsula were less affected in the July snows, depths being more substantial on hill and high country properties.
In August, blizzard conditions prevailed with drifts building up in the lee of shelter, natural terraces and sheltered northwest facing hill slopes. Drifts were worst on Banks Peninsula with a mean of 10.3m (2 - 30m), followed by the high county with 6.0m (0.2 - 20m), hill country with 4.4, (0.3 - 15m), downs with 2.4m (0.4 - l0m) and the plains properties with 1. 1m (0.4m - 5m). The high winds in August completely altered the snow landscape leaving exposed ridges devoid of snow and massive drifts on lee faces causing large variability in depths, especially at higher altitudes. Snow depth was highly correlated with altitude in July
Table 1 Farm Areas, Altitude and Mean Annual Rainfall
| Number | Mean | Mean Altitude (m) | Risk of Snow % | |||||
| Farm Type | of Survey Farms | Area (ha) | Highest | Lowest | Rainfall (mm) | Severe | Moderate | Slight |
| High Country | 20 | 5568 | 1445 | 392 | 953 | 20 | 70 | 10 |
| Hill Country | 37 | 1224 | 709 | 273 | 950 | 11 | 62 | 27 |
| Banks Peninsula | 14 | 560 | 637 | 49 | 1055 | 0 | 21 | 79 |
| Downs | 37 | 331 | 341 | 224 | 849 | 3 | 38 | 59 |
| Plains | 35 | 342 | 262 | 259 | 857 | 3 | 43 | 54 |
| All Farms | 143 | 1320 | 600 | 252 | 912 | 7 | 48 | 45 |
Table 2 Frequency and estimated depth of snowfalls (N=143)
| Depth of Snow July 1992 | Depth of Snow August 1993 | |||||||
| Farm Type | Number of Snowfalls1 | High Altitude (mm) | Low Altitude (mm) | Drifts (m) | High Altitude (mm) | Low Altitude (mm) | Drifts (m) | |
| High Country | 25 | 1096 | 701 | 3.2 | 788 | 569 | 6.0 | |
| Hill Country | 20 | 871 | 506 | 1.7 | 1056 | 496 | 4.4 | |
| Banks Peninsula | 2 | 600 | 125 | 1.3 | 1327 | 429 | 10.3 | |
| Downs | 13 | 531 | 318 | 1.0 | 616 | 440 | 2.4 | |
| Plains | 9 | 389 | 293 | 0.7 | 788 | 643 | 1.7 | |
| All Farms | 14 | 752 | 427 | 1.5 | 894 | 526 | 4.1 | |
1 Number of snowfalls over 150mm occurring at the homestead between 1970-1990
Contact for Enquiries
North Island
Phil Journeaux
Manager
North Island Regions
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 7 957 8314
Fax: +64 7 957 8315
South Island
John Greer
Regional Team Leader
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 20 280
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 3 943 1703
Fax: +64 3 943 1757
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