Covering period of Mon 11 – Thu 14 December – It was a fine start to the week across much of New Zealand with plenty of blue sky and sunshine as the last of the weekend’s wild weather cleared the far north of the country. While this week has a relatively dry theme it will be one to hold onto your hats as MetService predicts strong winds to feature prominently in the forecast around midweek.
Sandwiched between high pressure over the Tasman Sea and an area of low pressure to the southeast Aotearoa finds itself embedded in a brisk southwesterly airflow. While the strongest winds are expected around the coasts it will be a blustery few days for Northland and Auckland on the North Island and Southland and Otago on the South Island.
MetService Meteorologist John Law comments: “With air quickly moving up from the southwest, areas exposed to the south and west will be in for some windy weather this week. For most people, the windiest day will be Tuesday before things settle down again later in the week.”
With winds moving up from the south, New Zealand is once again set to experience a few cooler days through the middle of the week with a few showers thrown in the mix. Temperatures in Christchurch are forecast to only reach 16°C on Tuesday while even up in Dargaville the thermometer is set to peak at a cool 17°C.
A few wintery feeling showers over Central Otago could bring a fresh dusting of snow to the highest peaks of the region.
The good news, by the end of the week the cool winds should have eased for most and temperatures are forecast to rise back into the twenties, with spots in the east like Hastings and Ashburton forecast to reach 28°C on Friday. This rise in temperature is aided by warm, northwest winds flowing across the country while a band of rain moves up the west coast of the South Island.
Tropical Cyclone Jasper remains an active system over the Coral Sea and is continuing to move westwards towards the Queensland coast of Australia. Check the Australian Bureau of Meteorology for the latest Severe Weather Information regarding this system.
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
