Covering period of Thursday 8th – Monday 12th June – MetService continues to forecast some cold overnight temperatures for the next few days. A mostly fine weekend is in store for most of the country, however Heavy Rain Watches are in place for Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.
MetService is monitoring a low-pressure system which is sitting to the country’s northeast and currently bringing a few showers to the eastern North Island. This system is expected to track southwards over Te Ika-a-Māui/North Island this weekend and bring heavy rain to Gisborne/Tairawhiti and Hawke’s Bay. Heavy Rain Watches are in place for those areas already, starting early Saturday morning through to Sunday morning.
MetService meteorologist Andrew James says, “Tairawhiti/Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay are both still in recovery mode, so this spell of heavy rain could cause issues. There’s still a bit to happen before the weekend and we will update/upgrade those watches as the event unfolds, so stay current with severe weather information from our team at MetService.”
A front down south also brings some rain to Fiordland over the weekend, but other areas of Aotearoa/New Zealand are in for a sunny couple of days – you will need your winter woollies though as temperatures remain chilly.
A high pressure brought clear skies over Te Waipounamu/South Island this week so there was no ‘cloud blanket’ to keep the country warm overnight, and this certainly dipped the mercury there during the last few nights. MetService recorded -6.3°C at Dunedin Airport on Thursday morning while Wanaka spent the last three days at or below 5°C, under a layer of cloud that prevented the sun warming the town.
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
