19-Dec-2008
Pre-Christmas Rain
Periods of rain are likely over the coming weekend as a deepening low pressure system crosses southern New Zealand.
MetService has issued heavy rain warnings as a frontal rain band closes in on the west and north of the South Island.
The front is expected to weaken as it crosses the North Island during Saturday afternoon or evening.
"This rain is likely to accompany the pre-Christmas rush," said MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "South
Canterbury, in particular, is very likely to have a period of wet easterly winds during Friday night and through
Saturday as the low pressure passes by."
"The second cricket test against the West Indies in Napier may be affected by a cool southerly change on Sunday with a
session of showers," added Mr. McDavitt.
Fine warm weather is forecast to return to New Zealand early next week and may continue over much of the country until
Boxing Day. While it is early days, some computer models are indicating that a subtropical depression may bring rain to
northern and eastern parts of the North Island on Christmas Eve.
MetService will be updating these forecasts as the big day approaches and people setting out for holidays should check
the latest official forecasts in the media or from the metservice.com website before departing.
ENDS