Source: MetService
Covering period of Monday 13th – Friday 17th October –
- Strongest gusts in Wellington, up to 137 km/h on Sunday morning
- Heavy Rain Warnings and Watches to start the week
- Clear skies by end of work week.
Over the weekend, we had some warm, muggy nights and wild winds. Wellington felt it big time with gusts up to 137 km/h on Sunday morning – the strongest of the year so far.
The rain hasn’t left either. On Monday, rain and showers are soaking eastern areas, and heavier downpours are expected in central western parts of the North Island as well as the Main Divide in the South Island.
Tongariro National Park is under a Heavy Rain Warning from Monday afternoon until Tuesday morning, while the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty are covered on Tuesday until late afternoon.
Meanwhile, northern Taranaki, Waitomo, northern Taihape, Taupō, Taumarunui, Tararua Range and the headwaters of Canterbury lakes and rivers about and north of the Rangitata River to Arthurs Pass, are all under a Heavy Rain Watch on Monday and Tuesday.
Rain sticks around on Tuesday too, but things start to settle a bit in the South Island, where rain pulls back to just the eastern areas by morning.
On Wednesday, we get a bit of a break – clear skies for most. But don’t get too comfy – a new rain bearing front moves into the lower South Island during the day and slowly works its way north. However, the east should hang on to some sunshine with only a few high clouds – which should be welcomed news from those in Canterbury Plains and all the way to Gisborne.
Those looking forward to a clearance in the weather will be pleased to know that by Thursday, the wet weather in the west clears up as a ridge of high-pressure moves in – bringing calmer, sunnier skies and lighter winds.
Thursday and Friday are looking like the best days of the week to get outside and enjoy some spring sunshine. MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says, “It’s the best chance to make the most of the good weather – especially in the east – before more rain rolls in over the weekend.”
The ridge of high pressure and settled weather hang on into Friday, but another rain baring front is waiting in the wings, heading into lower South Island and creeping north through the weekend.
If you’re in Christchurch and heading to the T20 cricket game between the Black Caps and England on Saturday evening – you’re in luck! The forecast looks mostly fine with just a few clouds, and a warm evening after a daytime maximum of 21°C .
Stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings at metservice.com.
