MetService News Release

Thursday 26 January 2017

Good in the north for the long weekend

It’s looking pretty good for outdoor activities over the upper North Island with the long weekend looming. No major weather systems are in the pipeline and high pressure will dominate northern New Zealand.

“The good weather news is lots of sun about for the long weekend, after some early morning cloud in a few spots. There could be some patchy drizzle for the likes of Waikato and Waitomo on Saturday and the risk of a shower on Monday south of Hamilton,” said Forecaster Cameron Coutts. “Winds will also be on the lighter side, though good sailing conditions are expected for the Auckland Anniversary Regatta as southwesterlies freshen about the Waitemata in the afternoon,” added Coutts.

MetService barbeque index for Saturday

Nelson and Buller also have a long weekend, and Nelson is looking at three days of sunshine.

“Buller is not too bad either,” said Coutts, “just cloudy on Sunday followed by a period of rain there Sunday night.”

However, it is more of the same changeable weather for the south of the country, with yet another front moving onto the southwest of the South Island on Sunday, accompanied by heavy rain. This rainfall adding to already saturated soils in the west and south.

Northwest winds also build on Sunday with gales possible in the east, up as far as Wairarapa. These northwest winds also bring some summer heat into Hawkes Bay as temperatures head into the low thirties.

Official Severe Weather Watches and Warnings are reviewed and re-issued by MetService at least every twelve hours, and more often if necessary. To get the most up to date information on severe weather around the country, or any other forecasts, see metservice.com or on mobile devices at m.metservice.com. You can also follow our updates on MetService TV, at MetService New Zealand on Facebook, @metservice and @MetServiceWARN on Twitter and at blog.metservice.com

MetService issues Warnings, Watches and Outlooks for severe weather over New Zealand.

Warnings are about taking action when severe weather is imminent or is occurring. They are issued only when required.
Recommendation: ACT

Watches are about being alert when severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a Warning to be issued. They are issued only when required.
Recommendation: BE READY

Outlooks are about looking ahead, providing advance information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings. They are issued routinely once or twice a day.
Recommendation: PLAN

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