A distinctive arch-shaped cloud formation often visible in the skies above the Canterbury Plains when a northwest wind is blowing.
there's some blue far to the west where the nor'west arch sweeps across
Example sentencesExamples
When the nor'westers come over the Southern Alps under certain conditions the air goes into a wave and creates clouds which are bands across the Canterbury Plains, and eventually the nor'west arch is created.
I will not say Canterbury, take my bones no, not till I've seen the fabled nor'west arch streak across the sky.
The hot, dry winds may blow for several days at a time, heralded by the Nor'west Arch.
Flying into Christchurch, the evening light sliding low and green beneath a nor'west arch, you are surprised to see the Waimakariri, sinuous as an eel.
The poet sees what we see - the mountain, the flower, the seagull, the nor'west arch.
Through my study window the sun is setting and the nor'west arch is ablaze.
The scene is typical of Christchurch late on a nor'west day when the nor'west arch of cloud leaves a clear view of the mountains and the sky gilded by the setting sun.
We are maddened by the nor'west arch and obsessed with Mounfort's gothic revival architecture.
Look for the nor'west arch over the Canterbury Plains as a signal for these katabatic winds.
You'll not see a nor'west arch over the alps tonight.