MetService meteorologist Alain Baillie said “Springtime westerlies have well and truly arrived over New Zealand this week, with the same areas that saw gusts close to 200 km/h over the weekend set for another round of blustery westerlies between Wednesday and Friday. Although at this stage we aren’t expecting them to be as strong as what was experienced this past weekend.”
The strongest wind gusts over the weekend were:
Cape Turnagain 246 km/h – one of the highest ever officially recorded in the country
Remutaka Summit 187 km/h
Aoraki/Mt Cook Airport 187 km/h
Castlepoint 174 km/h
South West Cape (Stewart Island) and Mt Kaukau 163 km/h
Kelburn 131 km/h – the strongest recorded northerly there in 13 years
The west of Te Waipounamu/South Island is also in for another drenching, with heavy rain considered likely for Fiordland, Westland and Buller later this week. Rain east of the Alps, along with snow melt may be enough to bring rivers to high levels, Baillie went on. “Keep an eye on the MetService Warnings page https://www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-outlook for updates as the situation unfolds.”
The northwesterlies ahead of the front will mean elevated temperatures for eastern parts of both islands, with maximums in the mid-twenties expected on Wednesday and Thursday (Ashburton is forecast to reach 24°C on Wednesday and Napier 26°C on Thursday), around 8 to 10°C above average for this time of year.
Baillie continues, “The eastern South Island will certainly notice the passage of the front, with Friday’s maximums dropping to between 9 to 15°C from Ashburton southwards. Snow is also possible above 800 metres in Canterbury on Friday afternoon.”
A large high will dominate the North Island’s weather this week, meaning sunny days for most but the possibility of foggy mornings on Wednesday and Thursday in western and northern areas.
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
