21-Mar-2005
A Change In The Weather For Easter
Meteorologists at MetService are forecasting that a change to more unsettled weather is likely to arrive just before
Easter. The weather pattern for the past four weeks has been dominated by high-pressure systems that have helped to keep
the rain away from much of New Zealand. Fog problems in Wellington are a sign that the stagnant air is slowly becoming
more humid, and this combined with other signs is pointing to an imminent change in the weather.
"In the past four weeks it has been dry around the North Island with only 7mm of rain measured in the Bay of Islands
and 12mm in Paraparaumu", commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "This is all about to change. A
low-pressure system is developing in the Tasman Sea and its rain clouds are forecast to move across the North Island and
the Nelson area on Thursday and Friday, accompanied by vigorous northerly winds."
McDavitt added that this trough is likely to be followed by further periods of unsettled weather during Easter as cooler
west to southwest winds bring intense showers into many areas. "The settled weather of the past few weeks can no longer
be relied upon to last during Easter. Travellers will be able to get more up-to-date details from our website to help
finalise their plans."
ENDS