University of Canterbury Home
    • Admin
    UC Research Repository
    UC Library
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    1. UC Home
    2. Library
    3. UC Research Repository
    4. Faculty of Science | Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao
    5. Science: Conference Contributions
    6. View Item
    1. UC Home
    2.  > 
    3. Library
    4.  > 
    5. UC Research Repository
    6.  > 
    7. Faculty of Science | Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao
    8.  > 
    9. Science: Conference Contributions
    10.  > 
    11. View Item

    Fire weather of a Canterbury Northwester on 6 February 2011 in South Island, New Zealand (2013)

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Published version (356.6Kb)
    Type of Content
    Conference Contributions - Published
    UC Permalink
    http://hdl.handle.net/10092/17103
    
    Collections
    • Science: Conference Contributions [391]
    Authors
    Simpson C
    Sturman A
    Zawar–Reza P
    Pearce G
    show all
    Abstract

    Foehn winds, known locally as the "Canterbury Northwester", occurred on 6 February 2011 and were associated with extreme fire weather in the lee of the Southern Alps and across the eastern South Island of New Zealand. A peak air temperature of 40.7˚C was recorded at Timaru, which compares with the national record of 42.4˚C set at Rangiora in 1973 during another Northwester. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the fire weather and the synoptic and mesoscale atmospheric processes associated with the Northwester. This was achieved through analysis of weather station data and a high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulation. The fire weather was assessed through consideration of observable weather variables and New Zealand's version of the Fire Weather Index (FWI) in the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System. The WRF model results suggest that internal gravity waves were present in the lee of the Southern Alps and considerably affected fire weather across the eastern South Island. The FWI was recorded at extreme values, due to a combination of high air temperatures and wind speeds, and low relative humidity. This study provides a better understanding of the mesoscale atmospheric dynamics and fire weather associated with the Canterbury Northwester.

    Citation
    Simpson C, Sturman A, Zawar–Reza P, Pearce G (2013). Fire weather of a Canterbury Northwester on 6 February 2011 in South Island, New Zealand. Melbourne, Australia: Bushfire CRC & AFAC 2013 Conference. 02/09/2013-02/09/2013.
    This citation is automatically generated and may be unreliable. Use as a guide only.
    ANZSRC Fields of Research
    37 - Earth sciences::3701 - Atmospheric sciences::370108 - Meteorology
    37 - Earth sciences::3709 - Physical geography and environmental geoscience::370903 - Natural hazards

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Atmospheric turbulent structures and fire sweeps during shrub fires and implications for flaming zone behaviour 

      Noonan B; Zhang J; Valencia A; Shumacher B; Kerr J; Strand T; Pearce G; Zawar-Reza P; Katurji, Marwan (CSIRO Publishing, 2022)
      Background. Wildfires propagate through vegetation exhibiting complex spread patterns modulated by ambient atmospheric wind turbulence. Wind gusts at the fire-front extend and intensify flames causing direct convective ...
    • Forward-Looking Infrared Cameras for Micrometeorological Applications within Vineyards 

      Katurji, M.; Zawar-Reza, P. (University of Canterbury. Geography, 2016)
      We apply the principles of atmospheric surface layer dynamics within a vineyard canopy to demonstrate the use of forward-looking infrared cameras measuring surface brightness temperature (spectrum bandwidth of 7.5 to 14 ...
    • Atmospheric forcing of the three-dimensional distribution of dust particles over Australia: A case study 

      Alizadeh Choobari O; Zawar-Reza P; Sturman AP (AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION, 2012)
      Knowledge of atmospheric processes responsible for horizontal and vertical distribution of dust particles is important for identifying their transport pathways. The Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF/Chem) ...
    Advanced Search

    Browse

    All of the RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThesis DisciplineThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThesis Discipline

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • Research Outputs
    • UC Theses
    • CONTACTS
    • Send Feedback
    • +64 3 369 3853
    • ucresearchrepository@canterbury.ac.nz
    • ABOUT
    • UC Research Repository Guide
    • Copyright and Disclaimer
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • Research Outputs
    • UC Theses
    • CONTACTS
    • Send Feedback
    • +64 3 369 3853
    • ucresearchrepository@canterbury.ac.nz
    • ABOUT
    • UC Research Repository Guide
    • Copyright and Disclaimer