It’s a busy Monday in terms of weather over New Zealand as a cold front brings wet and windy weather to many areas. A sharp southerly change blasted through Otago and Canterbury on Monday morning, causing temperatures to tumble several degrees as gusty winds picked up speed. The front passes over the North Island during the second half of the day, with Wellington and Wairarapa bearing the brunt of it.
MetService meteorologist Luis Fernandes explains, “The cold front reaches Wellington early this afternoon, so the strong northwest winds in the area quickly change to strong southerly, with a noticeable drop in temperature to boot”.
A few afternoon thunderstorms accompany the front as it moves through to the lower and central North Island but by this evening it will have weakened considerably, with just a few showers for Northland, Auckland, and Bay of Plenty.
A ridge of high pressure quickly moves over Aotearoa tonight (Monday), clearing skies and bringing lighter winds.
“This also means some areas can expect a chilly night, particularly for the interior of the North Island where overnight temperatures drop well into the single digits. It certainly will feel like autumn tomorrow (Tuesday) morning!” Fernandes says.
The clearer and calmer conditions persist into Wednesday with just a few showers about the coasts of Southland and Westland.
On Thursday a low from the Tasman Sea reaches New Zealand, resulting in a bout of wet and windy weather that affects almost all the country, with significant rain likely for Westland and Fiordland. More of the same is expected for Friday as another front ploughs into the South Island.
Current forecasts indicate that a ridge takes hold for the weekend bringing sunnier and more settled weather, although showers will still be likely over the north on Saturday morning.
Understanding our Severe Weather Watches and Warnings
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
Issued routinely once or twice a day
Recommendation: Plan
Watches are about being alert:
When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
During a Watch: Stay alert
Orange Warnings are about taking action:
When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action
Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:
When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!
