Short-lived cold change - 14 March 2016

MetService News Release

Short-lived cold change - 14 March 2016

A trough affecting parts of the North Island today and Tuesday will be followed by a cold front moving up the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing rain for many and cooler temperatures. Behind this front, a ridge then builds over the lower South Island.

Cloud and occasional rain or drizzle is expected today and tomorrow for western areas of the North Island from Waikato down to Kapiti, and also Bay of Plenty. Areas further east may see a few showers, while places in the north should be mainly sunny, but with increasing cloud tomorrow. Meanwhile, a front is approaching the South Island. “This front will bring occasional rain to the West Coast today and tomorrow,” explained MetService Meteorologist Claire Flynn. “In the east, southerly winds, rain and cold temperatures are expected to spread up the South Island as the front progresses on Tuesday, reaching the lower North Island in the evening.”

This front is then expected to stall over the North Island for later in the week. “The front will bring scattered rain for parts of the North Island on Wednesday and Thursday, though there is some uncertainty regarding which places will be most affected,” Flynn said. “As always, we will be monitoring this feature as it develops, and keeping people up to date through the usual channels.”

Further south, high pressure is expected to start building over the South Island on Wednesday, clearing away most of the rain and showers. Cold temperatures on Wednesday left behind by the front are expected to gradually warm up during the second half of the week, as the high pressure continues to build. The high should then move to the east of New Zealand on Friday, causing a northerly flow to develop over both islands that may bring showers to the upper North Island and rain to the West Coast of the South Island.

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