Even Warmer Temperatures Ahead

MetService News Release
25 Jan 2018

Few would argue that it has been a warm week, and the heat is expected to linger over the weekend and into next week.

A high-pressure system has been lying over the country for the past week, bringing warm temperatures to most. Despite temperatures dropping a few degrees on Friday over the South Island and lower North Island, this warm air lingers throughout the weekend and continues to turn up the heat into next week.

MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said, “A weak front moving up the country this afternoon and through into tomorrow should bring brief relief from the warmth for those in the South Island and lower North Island.”

However, this relief is all relative, explains McInnes. “We have a cold front moving north up the South Island, helping to drag up the cooler air behind it. But this air is only cooler relative to the warm air that’s currently over us, and the high pressure will certainly weaken the front’s impact,” he said.

The high-pressure system should remain over the country into the start of next week, raising temperatures even further. Daytime temperatures are forecast to reach the low to mid-thirties in several regions, particularly in the South Island.

McInnes added, “We are expecting very hot temperatures to spread over the country this weekend, continuing the run of scorching days we’ve been having, and this will continue into next week. Inland areas in the South Island will be the places to watch.”

These temperatures are a reminder of the importance of keeping safe in the sun – slip on a shirt (or into the shade), slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on sunglasses. The Sun Protection Alert can be found on all local forecast pages on MetService’s websites and on the MetService NZ Weather app. You’ll find more info on the Sun Smart website: sunsmart.org.nz

Up in the tropics there’s an increase in activity this weekend, with the possibility of a tropical cyclone developing in the Coral Sea. MetService’s tropical forecasting and marine meteorologists are watching this potential development closely, and will keep people informed of any weather impacts for New Zealand. You can find Tropical Cyclone Potential Bulletins and other information on MetService’s Tropical Cyclone Activity page.

For your latest forecasts – and to check out who got the hottest temperatures for the day – go to 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 at blog.metservice.com

Forecast temperatures for the next few days

© Scoop Media