MetService Meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon remarks, “Even as today’s showers and thunderstorms over central and northern regions ease, another front spreads rain on to the lower South Island tomorrow. This front may bring heavy falls or even hail to western regions, followed by cold, showery southwesterlies.” Snow levels are expected to lower to 500 metres in Southland in the evening, dropping further early Saturday morning.
Strong westerly quarter winds (between northwesterly and southwesterly) are expected to be widespread. Watches for strong winds are in place for areas of particular concern, though more may join the ranks as the weekend progresses.
The Canterbury High Country and inland Marlborough ranges are under a Strong Wind Watch from Friday morning until the evening. The Tararua District and southern Hawke’s Bay join later in the morning, continuing until Saturday morning, when they are replaced by a Strong Wind Watch for Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula. Wotherspoon comments “Northwesterly winds are expected to tip southwest around midday, marking Auckland’s first strong southwesterly event since early August. Along with the wind, it’s going to be rainy and temperatures will be dropping, so it’s going to feel pretty grim.”
Showers and winds for the North Island should start to ease from late Saturday afternoon, but it will still be a wet kick-off for the O’Reilly Cup final test. “After a wet couple of days, supporting the Black Ferns in Hamilton is a great way to get out of the house, but be sure to wrap up warm underneath a water and windproof layer,” says Wotherspoon.
More fast-moving fronts are expected to travel up the country into the second week of school holidays, with heavy rain expected for the South Island west coast from Sunday. More affected areas could be identified closer to the time, so keep an eye on metservice.com for updates.
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
