Some much-needed rain started off the working week as a deep mature low-pressure system affected the North Island. This continued into midweek as the low continued to travel slowly eastwards which meant most eastern areas of the North Island saw the bulk of the weather, where a Severe Weather Warning and Watch were issued for heavy rain for Hawkes Bay and Gisborne on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Some areas in the Hawkes Bay ranges saw just over a 100mm during the event, with lesser amounts at the coast, as was expected.” Said Meteorologist Kyle Lee. Whereas the South Island saw much drier and settled weather due to a high pressure which had started to build over the Island at the start of the week. Eventually most of New Zealand was graced with the settled weather as the high pressure dominated over the country on Thursday and most of Friday.

Late on Friday a strong cold front reached the far south, with strong northwest winds preceding the front. This in turn helped increase temperatures across the country as warmer air from Australia was being dragged across the Tasman Sea to affect parts of the country.

Saturday saw the most significant weather associated with the front. “Heavy rain affected parts of the west coast of the South Island where Milford Sound got 226.8mm and southern Westland receiving 107mm.” Explained Lee. “Gale force winds also affected large parts of the country, exposed places in Canterbury and Otago got winds in excess of 100km/h while regions in Wellington and Wairarapa also had winds between 110-120km/h.” continued Lee.

The warmer weather also occurred on Saturday with a few places reaching 30C plus. “Parts of Northland, Hawkes Bay (including Napier), Marlborough and Canterbury reached 30C plus, and Christchurch topped the temperatures at 32C yesterday.” Said Lee.

Looking ahead the weather will be mostly settled for the start of the week, although weak fronts will bring a few showers to the western parts of the country. Regions celebrating the Wellington anniversary tomorrow will have settled weather in the east and in Wellington city itself, with isolated showers expected further northwards towards and including Whanganui.

Warnings are about taking action:
• When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
• 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
• Issued only when required
• Recommendation: BE READY
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
• To provide advance information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
• Issued routinely once or twice a day
• Recommendation: PLAN

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