Covering period of Thursday 10 – Sunday 13 August – A cold front, which closed several roads over the South Island this morning (Thursday), is moving over the North Island today, lowering snow to 5-600m over the lower and central North Island. MetService is forecasting settled weather behind the cold front today or tomorrow before another set of weather features moves over the country this weekend.
April Clark, MetService meteorologist, said, “Snow affecting the upper South Island, including the higher suburbs of Christchurch, is on the easing trend, with showers and snow set to gradually clear.”
“As for the North Island, showers and bitter conditions are expected throughout the day, with snow lowering to 5-600m over southern and central regions. Road Snow Warnings are out for the Remutaka Hill Road, Desert Road and Napier-Taupō Road this afternoon and evening” Clark continued.
The settled, but icy, weather, which is already gracing the lower South Island today, is due to a ridge of high pressure which has started to move in behind the cold front. Skies are expected to clear over the rest of the country tomorrow as the ridge moves north.
Clear skies after this polar blast makes a perfect recipe for freezing overnight temperatures. Many inland regions of the South Island are looking to drop more than a couple of degrees below zero overnight tonight. Queenstown is looking to plummet to -5C tomorrow, which could be their coldest temperature this year so far, but well off their all-time low of -12.2C in July 1995 . The coldest temperatures in the North Island will most likely happen Saturday morning with Masterton set to drop to -3C.
“The Women’s World Cup quarter finals in Wellington and Auckland on Friday have picked their weather window well; with today’s wet weather forecast to clear by both kick-offs tomorrow. However, layers will be the key, even if the packed stadiums will help raise the cool temperatures by a degree or two!” Clark commented.
Over the weekend a couple of fronts moves northwards over both the North and South Islands, though most of the rain associated with each will be contained to western regions, leaving the east mostly fine. Both daytime and overnight temperatures make a slight recovery as these fronts move over.
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
