02-Jun-2004
Here Comes Winter
MetService meteorologists are forecasting that a cold front and southerly change will sweep across New Zealand during
the coming Queen's Birthday weekend.
"This southerly is expected to be cold and briefly wet with some snow in the mountains," commented MetService Weather
Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "It is a clear sign that we are now in the months of winter. Southwest winds earlier this week
have already dropped the temperatures over the North Island central plateau causing a few overnight closures to the
Desert Road due to ice. Similar temperatures are forecast for this Sunday night."
Northwest winds preceding the cold front are likely to reach their peak over central parts of the country of Friday
afternoon. The southerly is expected to take a couple of days to spread north, reaching as far north as Canterbury on
Saturday and covering the North Island on Sunday, but fading away on Monday. Sunny and crisp conditions are forecast for
Westland on Sunday and Monday.
According to McDavitt "these weather conditions may well pose challenging conditions to some motorists or trampers, so
please check the latest weather updates before setting out."
ENDS