Northwesterlies would have started the New Year with fine weather for most, but instead brought a hazy sunrise to many over the South Island. Although MetService expects our skies to return to blue again by tomorrow, the skies may darken for more usual reasons as a showery southwest flow sets up at the end of the week.

A southwest flow follows a front moving up the South Island today, and is expected to cross the North Island tomorrow. “The air ahead of the front is where all the smoke lies, so as this moves away from the country we can expect the haze to clear,” explains MetService meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree.

Much of New Zealand can expect few showers tomorrow, with regions in the far south set to be showery for the day.

Although the weather isn’t looking too bad Saturday, temperatures are going to feel unseasonably cool as the southwest flow continues. Lingering showers about the South Island are forecast to gradually clear to fine, while the North Island will see cloudy periods, and isolated showers about eastern areas.

An active front from the Southern Ocean on Sunday brings wet and windy conditions to parts of southern and central New Zealand.

A strong southwest flow behind this front is expected to continue into next week, so make the most of any remaining fine weather.

Understanding our Severe Weather Watches and Warnings

Outlooks are about looking ahead:
• To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
• Issued routinely once or twice a day
• Recommendation: Plan

Watches are about being alert:
• When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
• Typically issued 1 - 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
• During a Watch: Stay alert

Orange Warnings are about taking action:
• When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
• Typically issued 1 - 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
• In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action

Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:
• When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
• Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
• In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!

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