Weekend to bring clearing skies and colder temperatures

Weekend to bring clearing skies and colder temperatures

A vigorous low is forecast to move over New Zealand today and Friday,bringing rain to the whole country at various times with thunderstorms in the north and west of both islands. As the low moves away to the east on Saturday and Sunday, the rain will eventually clear from most places but will be followed by a colder southerly flow.

"While most of the rain should disappear as the weekend progresses, people will also notice that things get a bit cooler," said MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey. "Temperatures have been warmer than average across New Zealand this autumn due to a large number of northerly and northwest flows, so it is likely people will notice a bit of a change as the southerly makes an appearance."

The low has already brought heavy rain to some places as of Thursday morning and several warnings are in force. There is also a significant risk of thunderstorms in a number of areas during Thursday and Friday. "People should check the latest warnings and watches to see if warnings are in force in their area," commented Glassey.

On Saturday, the rain is expected to ease back to showers, retreating to the eastern and southern parts of both islands. The southerlies are also expected to be strong in these places, with gales likely about coastal areas. "On Sunday, the southerlies should die out over New Zealand and the weather should fine up nicely over almost the whole country as higher pressure moves in," said Glassey.

Next week the weather is looking more settled over New Zealand compared to this week, although another front is forecast to sweep over the country on Monday.

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