A Touch Of The Tropics

24-Nov-2008

A Touch Of The Tropics

Warm muggy weather over the last few days has been due to air flowing in from between New Caledonia and Fiji. Hawke's Bay has been measuring the warmest days and nights, with the temperature range on Sunday rising to 29 Celsius and dropping at night to only 18 C at both Hastings and Napier.

"This subtropical air will not last long," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "The northerly winds which are responsible are part of a low pressure system that formed in the Tasman Sea last week following on from the recent severe thunderstorms in Brisbane."

The main rain band in this system should move onto New Zealand this afternoon and tonight, clearing from the Bay of Plenty on Tuesday. There has already been a substantial amount of rain in the Westland and Nelson ranges with up to half a metre in some places, and an additional 200 to 300 mm is likely. Hence, a MetService Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain continues to apply to the west and north of the South Island and for rain spreading from Taranaki to Mount Ruapehu and eastern Bay of Plenty.

Squally conditions are likely in Northland and severe northerly gales about Cook Strait are expected this evening and for Wairarapa early on Tuesday.

Mr. McDavitt added that a significant amount of rain may reach the headwaters of Otago and Canterbury rivers. "Anyone camping near these rivers is reminded that the rivers may swell rapidly even though not much rain reaches camp."

Temperatures are expected to drop sharply by ten degrees or more as a southwesterly wind change spreads onto the South Island during Tuesday.

ENDS

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