Covering period of Thursday 1st – Monday 5th June – For the first King’s Birthday weekend in over 70 years and the first weekend of meteorological winter, MetService is advising holidaymakers to keep up to date with local forecasts and road conditions. Rain will be the dominant feature for both Islands, with snow also expected in the south. Saturday will however be the best day of the long weekend.
MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor details: “Saturday looks to be the best day of the long weekend, but any plans for Sunday onwards should include a raincoat, an umbrella, and a check of highway conditions – regardless of your location.”
In the lead up to the weekend, a front travels northwards up the country, bringing plenty of weather with it. Severe Weather Watches and Warnings for Heavy Rain are in place for the West Coast of the South Island, Fiordland and the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago through to the early hours of Friday. Thunderstorms are also expected in the West Coast region and Fiordland this afternoon (Thursday) and evening. Road Snowfall Warnings have been issued for the South Island’s alpine passes overnight tonight.
“No doubt this snow is good news for South Island ski fields with opening weekends fast approaching,” O’Connor expands.
The North Island doesn’t escape the weather on Friday with showery and rainy weather expected, mostly as the front moves through. Strong Wind Watches are also in place across eastern South Island regions and the lower North Island south of Featherston Thursday into early Friday.
Although roads should be clear in time for people heading away for the long weekend, the return journey may not offer the same experience. Another front arrives on Sunday with more wet weather affecting both the North and South Islands, with the possibility of heavy rain for some South Island areas.
MetService’s Severe Weather Outlook also indicates a second period of snowfall on Sunday for South Canterbury and inland Otago, with a possibility of snow to lower levels as wintry weather kicks in. While any necessary road snowfall warnings will be issued by MetService over the weekend, other road conditions can be found from Waka Kotahi’s Journey Planner.
This wet start to June is in line with a wetter than usual outlook for many regions, as was the case for May. For example, a phenomenal 618.2 millimetres was recorded at the weather station at Hokitika Airport in May, which was the third wettest month on record there since records began in 1963. Many monthly rainfall records were broken across the country during May – see MetService’s Rural Outlook for more details.
For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with one of our meteorologists please call 04 4700 848 or email metcomms@metservice.com
Understanding MetService Severe Weather Warning System
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) – take cover now:
This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning.
In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!
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!
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.
Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action
Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.
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
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
