Settled weather outlook for eastern areas this weekend

As MetService looks ahead to the weather around New Zealand this weekend, the pressure patterns are indicating a definite east-west split as a front approaches western areas of the country on Friday.

“This front brings with it a band of rain which moves across Buller, Westland, Fiordland, Southland and parts of Otago Friday morning and western parts of the North Island later on Friday,” comments MetService meteorologist Andy Best, “The good news is that remaining parts of Aotearoa should stay fine and settled on Friday.”

Over the South Island on Saturday, the precipitation persists west of the Divide, with eastern areas staying mostly fine. The front moves northeast over North Island during Saturday bringing showers to most western areas, some possibly heavy about Taranaki.

“For those attending the All Blacks vs France match at the Wellington “cake tin” on Saturdayevening, dress for a cool evening, strengthening northwesterlies with just the chance of a shower during the game,” advises Best, “Temperatures will be around 13 degrees.”

Sunday sees a definite improving trend, with showers easing over western parts of the North Island in the morning, but mainly fine elsewhere. The rain in the west of the South Island is expected to clear in the morning with any showers over Otago and Southland retreating to Stewart Island.

MetService meteorologists are keeping a close eye on developments in the north Tasman Sea where they are expecting a low to develop which could potentially go on to impact New Zealand next week.

Positions of fronts and troughs at midday Friday (left) and Saturday (right)

© Scoop Media