MEDIA RELEASE
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2018
Easter weather looks all right
Easter Sunday offers the best weather of the long holiday weekend, according to NIWA forecaster Maria Augutis - but the
rest of the break isn’t looking too bad either.
Ms Augutis says a weak area of high pressure in the Tasman sea will bring a nice start to the Easter weekend.
“Overall, a good long weekend is in store, with mix of sun and cloud. The wettest day is expected to be Saturday but
that will clear over most of the country bySunday.”
Friday looks to be dry for many places on the North Island, with just a few showers expected for parts of the central and
upper North Island. There will be mainly dry conditions in the South Island as well with the only rain expected to fall
in the southwestern parts of Southland and a few isolated showers in lower Otago.
Showers are likely for parts of the North Island during the day on Saturday with the greatest chance for dry weather along the east coast from Gisborne to Wairarapa.
Rain is likely for the lower half of the North Island on Saturday night. NIWA’s weather team is also watching a
southerly change that will bring cooler temperatures for the West Coast and Southland on Saturday with rain developing,
which may be heavy.
Meanwhile, Sunday looks to be the pick day of the weekend for many areas with dry weather for almost all of the country with showers
possible after sunset west of Invercargill
Good travel conditions are expected for Monday with dry roads for the North Island while the South Island will be dealing with slightly wetter weather, and scattered
showers possible for parts of Otago, Southland, and the West Coast regions.
NIWA is also watching Tropical Cyclone Iris off the coast of Queensland. The storm is expected to stay well north and
not impact New Zealand.
Easter forecast for the six main centres
Auckland
Friday: Threat for the odd shower or two, otherwise mainly dry, warming up to low 20s.
Saturday: Some sun along with a chance for a few showers, high in the low to mid 20s.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, high in the low 20s.
Monday: Dry with a mix of sun and clouds, high in the low to mid 20s.
Wellington
Friday: Dry conditions, warming up to near 20°C.
Saturday: A few showers possible, high near 20°C, gusty NW winds.
Sunday: Cloud and sun, high near 20 degrees, gusty southwest wind early.
Monday: Mostly dry, high of 20°C.
Hamilton
Friday: Dry, low to mid 20s.
Saturday: Threat for showers, high in the low to mid 20s.
Sunday: Cloud and sun, high in the low to mid 20s.
Monday: Dry, low to mid 20s.
Tauranga
Friday: A few showers possible, warming to mid 20s.
Saturday: Threat for showers, high in the low to mid 20s.
Sunday: Cloud and sun, high in the low 20s.
Monday: Cloud and sun, high in the low to mid 20s.
Christchurch
Friday: Mostly sunny and dry, high near 20°C.
Saturday: Showers possible by evening, otherwise mainly dry, mid 20s.
Sunday: Cloud and sun, cooler with a high temperature in the upper teens.
Monday: Dry, warming to near 20°C.
Dunedin
Friday: A blend of sun and cloud, high near 20°C.
Saturday: Threat for a few showers, warming to near 20°C.
Sunday: Mix of cloud and sun, high in the upper teens.
Monday: Risk for a shower or two, high in the upper teens.
ends