19 June 2017
The Settled Weather Doesn’t Last
The generally dry weather over the weekend carries into the start of this week with just a few showers taking the shine
off the sun until Wednesday.
“A settled beginning to the week will be welcome news for those heading to the next big rugby clash in Hamilton Tuesday
night. Conditions are looking good for players and spectators alike,” said MetService meteorologist April Clark.
“Not only does Wednesday mark the shortest day of the year, but it also sees the start of a deterioration in weather
over country. The upper North Island and west of the South Island succumb to the rain first, as a complex low in the
north Tasman Sea sinks south,” Clark continued.
On Thursday, the whole country surrenders to the low. The worst rain-affected areas are forecast to be Bay of Plenty,
Auckland and Northland, with gale northeasterlies also expected in exposed places. In addition, heavy rain is possible
for other areas from Canterbury northwards on Thursday or Friday.
As the low continues to track south on Thursday, a cold front comes into play in the lower South Island, bringing a
southerly change and a forecast for snow down to 500 meters at this stage. This front is absorbed by the low as it moves
across New Zealand on Friday, keeping most of the country wet – ironically, the West Coast and Fiordland currently look
like the driest places for the last day of the working week.
Keep updated with official MetService severe weather watches and warnings as the week progresses.
ends