Warmer for all to start the week

MetService News Release
Monday, 23 November 2015

The start of the working week has seen fine weather conditions across much of New Zealand, but a front brings a sustained period of rain to western parts of the South Island on Monday and Tuesday. MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning and Watch for heavy rain for the Westland ranges south of Otira, Fiordland, and the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury rivers and lakes.

"The ridge bringing settled conditions to the North Island today will slowly move away to the east on Tuesday, and the northwesterlies that follow will push scattered rain across northern parts later in the day," said Meteorologist Rob Kerr. "In fact, northwesterlies delivering warm, moisture-laden air from the north Tasman Sea will be the theme of the week for New Zealand, splitting the country in two: cloudy and wet in the west, and warm and dry in the east," he added.

"Wednesday will see a break in the severe weather for the South Island's West Coasters, but heavy rain is expected to return there on Thursday, with severe northwest gales possible for eastern parts of the South Island and lower North Island into Friday, ahead of a cold front," said Kerr.

Looking beyond the working week and into an event-filled weekend for many New Zealanders - including Auckland city's Santa Parade and the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge - unfortunately the forecast is a pessimistic one. Rain and strong northwesterlies are expected to sweep over the North Island during Saturday, while a colder change moves over the South Island. Conditions ease dramatically later on Sunday as a ridge builds over the country.

Keep up to date with the latest forecasts and any watches/warnings at metservice.com or on mobile devices at m.metservice.com. You can also follow our updates on MetService TV, at MetService New Zealand on Facebook, @metservice and @MetServiceWARN on Twitter and atblog.metservice.com

MetService issues Warnings, Watches and Outlooks for severe weather over New Zealand.

Warnings are about taking action:
• When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
• Issued only when required
• Recommendation: ACT
Watches are about being alert:
• When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a Warning to be issued
• Issued only when required
• Recommendation: BE READY
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
• To provide advance information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
• Issued routinely once or twice a day
• Recommendation: PLAN

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