An improved weekend for many

MetService News Release
12 October 2017

An improved weekend for many

Most places in the country are experiencing well above average rainfall this year, so any interludes of settled weather are welcome. After the recent rainfall, soils are saturated and water is pooling in many places. Any drying conditions will be welcomed by farmers and horticulturists, as the pressure mounts to get fields worked up, crops in, and paddocks locked up for silage and hay.

MetService is forecasting a brief window of fine weather for much of New Zealand today (Thursday) as a ridge of high pressure moves onto the country. Like all the previous Highs this spring, however, it moves quickly away to the east. A strong wind watch is currently in place for north to northwest gales over parts of the South Island, easing Friday morning.

MetService forecaster Cameron Coutts said, “The good news is that, compared to last weekend which was gloomy and wet, this weekend is looking brighter and drier as the features moving over the country are much weaker.”

A front moves up the western side of New Zealand on Friday, easing as it moves northwards, while eastern areas can expect predominantly sunnier and warmer conditions.

“Temperatures are heading into the twenties in the east of the South Island today and Friday, with hardly any rain in sight for those regions apart from the southeast,” commented Coutts.

“These warmer and drier conditions continue over the eastern North Island throughout the weekend,” he said.

Unfortunately, conditions are more unsettled over western areas, especially for the South Island which can expect periods of rain, some heavy. Hail and thunderstorms are also possible in the south and southeast of the South Island later on Saturday, followed by showers and strong westerlies near the southern coast on Sunday.

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