Calm Start with a Wet & Windy End this Weekend - 12 July 2018
MetService meteorologists are forecasting a settled, calm end to the week, with a cool start to Fridaymorning set to
contrast with this weekend’s weather. A significant weather system moves over the country in the latter half of the
weekend, bringing strong northeasterly winds and heavy rain, with possible downpours to northern and western regions of
the country.
A high-pressure system gives a dry start to the weekend for much of New Zealand, with a few showers for northern and
western coastal areas. This continues into Saturday, with the approaching trough increasing the winds over New Zealand.
“The northeasterly winds set up over the country during Saturday,” says MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes, “so
temperatures will warm up across the country. This will be most noticeable in the mornings, especially compared to the
cool start to Friday.”
A significant band of rain then approaches the country, setting in late on Saturday for the Far North and bringing gusty
northeasterly winds to that region.
“The highest impact from the weather feature is expected on Sunday through into Monday,” explains McInnes. ”The upper
North Island, in particular from Northland through Auckland and Bay of Plenty to the ranges of Gisborne, and the West
Coast of the South Islands are set to face the brunt of the weather, while eastern areas of the South Island end the
weekend on a dry but cloudy note.”
This means periods of rain, possibly heavy at times with downpours possible, and strong, gusty northeasterly winds for
those exposed to the northeasterly flow, with the Nelson region also seeing some large rain accumulations. This weekend
Auckland and northern areas will have king tides coinciding with the bad weather so there is a concern of associated
coastal inundation. Please take advice from your local council in this matter.
“As the front continues moving southeast on Monday, the wet weather will drift across much of the country, clearing up
behind it,” McInnes says, adding “this has the potential to be a significant weather event, so it pays to stay up to
date with the latest severe weather information and keep safe.”