Snow surprise on Sunday

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 638, 28 May 1996, Page 1

Snow surprise on Sunday

While chilly weather was forecast, few people. expected the dump of snow that blanketed the Waimarino in the early hours of Sunday morning. . Twelve centimetres of snow, as recorded at the weather station at Ruapehu College, fell in a very short time, starting at around 3am. This followed clear skies earlier in' the night. Power was cut at the Tangiwai feeder which affected an area taking in Raetihi Road, Rangataua Road including Ruapehu Road and Tainui Street, Rangataua, Tangiwai and Karioi. Broken overhanging tree branches in several places in Rangataua caused the outage, dropping onto lines. King Country Energy spokesman Bruce Thompson said it was the first time for a number of years that such problems had been experienced. "I have heard a theory that there has been a lot of growth recently which may had led to the problem," he said.

He said the snowfall was exceptionally heavy and dry, which stuck to power lines adding to problems. Mr Thompson said itappeared Ohakune saw theheaviest falls with less falling further out towards Tangiwai and Waiouru. Apart from the Desert Road being closed for 10 hours and the Waiouru-Taihape Road closed for a short time, no major problems were caused by the snow. However, a number of slips closed the Parapara Highway for a time. While ice was a problem on the Desert Road, contractors did not use salt, as is being considered, to clear the road. The issue of using salt on the road is still being discussed by Transit New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, the Automobile Association and others. The contractor, Works Consultancy Services, has said it will not use salt until discussions are complete. DoC and some transport operators are opposed to its use. Authorities urge caution on the roads as the winter conditions continue.