Ridge and front do battle to decide this week’s weather - Monday 19 March 2018
Monday 19 March 2018
“A ridge of high pressure manages to confine a cold front to the far south early this week, but from Wednesday the
tables turn and the front begins to journey north, spreading rain from the west to the east as it does. The front will
also bring a marked change to cooler temperatures over the South Island,” explained MetService Meteorologist Ciaran
Doolin.
MetService forecast mostly fine weather on Monday and Tuesday from central New Zealand down to Canterbury. Elsewhere, a
few showers spread onto eastern coasts from Northland to Hawkes Bay, while rain pushes into Fiordland, Westland and
Southland. A Severe Weather Warning is in force for heavy rain in southern Westland and Fiordland, and a Severe Weather
Watch is in place for heavy rain about the Otago headwaters and for severe gale northwesterlies in exposed places of
Southland.
“The front moves north from Wednesday, affecting the central country during Thursday and the remainder of the North
Island on Friday. It spreads rain from west to east as it progresses, with the heaviest falls on the West Coast,” said
Mr Doolin. “A strong, cool southerly change follows the front dropping maximum daytime temperatures into the early teens
and overnight minimums into single digits over the South Island. Snow about the Southern Alps and possibly higher passes
is expected with the colder air. The North Island will escape the worst of the cold, but will see a wet end to the
working week.”
“Also, remember it is World Meteorological Day this Friday. The theme this year is ’Weather-ready, climate-smart’. We
will be talking more about being weather-ready through the course of the week. Make sure to follow our Facebook page or
Twitter account if you want to find out more!”
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