Covering period of Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 August – The fine weather of today and Friday is set to change this weekend. MetService is forecasting a Tasman Sea low to bring widespread wet and windy weather this weekend.
MetService meteorologist Andrew James say, “With high pressure taking hold of the steering wheel through into the weekend, we’ve got a cracking end to the working week for most of the country – Thursday sees showers gradually clear, with just a pesky few remaining in the far south of the South Island, and Friday is looking similar.”
The weekend, however, is a different story. A broad area of low pressure is expected to cross Aotearoa New Zealand during Saturday and Sunday, bringing with it significant and widespread rain and wind.
Severe Weather Watches for heavy rain are already in place for parts of Westland and Tasman while there is a Strong Wind Watch for Fiordland. Central North Island areas are likely to be added tomorrow. Some of these could be upgraded to warnings if required.
Andrew has more detail “Rain gets going along the South Island’s west coast during Saturday morning, then into the afternoon the system moves onto the North Island. Wherever you are, Saturday’s best weather is going to be early in the day.”
During Sunday the rain and wind continues to move eastwards across the country, with places like the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty potentially set to see the wettest weather.
“The best advice this weekend is to keep up with the latest forecasts at metservice.com,” says James.
The good news is that the weather is set to settle again after the weekend, as a ridge of higher pressure rebuilds across Aotearoa.
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
