Source: MetService
Covering period of Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th August
- A departing high-pressure system clears the way for incoming cold fronts.
- Heavy Rain Watches are in effect for several areas across the South Island.
- Temperatures are expected to drop sharply over the weekend.
- Snow is likely across many of the country’s mountain ranges.
- Strong to gale-force winds and rough seas are forecast along the eastern coastline on Saturday.
Rain is expected in the far south today (Thursday), spreading to the upper South Island by evening with a few Heavy Rain Watches in place. This is brought about by a series of cold fronts.
The upper half of the North Island is also likely to see a few afternoon and evening showers today but expect more widespread rain on Friday as the front crosses the North Island. High pressure moves in after the rain, bringing colder temperatures and widespread frosts to end the weekend.
On Friday, conditions remain unsettled across the South Island, while rain is expected to develop in more areas of the North Island throughout the day. Persistent rainfall over the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers, as well as in the Tasman region, has prompted MetService to issue Heavy Rain Watches, effective from 4pm Thursday to 3am Friday for Canterbury, and from 11pm Thursday to 5am Friday for Tasman. Rainfall in these areas may reach warning criteria.
As the fronts move across the country, snow may fall to 800 metres in the ranges of the North Island, and as low as 500 metres across the Canterbury High Country and Southern Lakes, delivering a fresh layer of snow for the ski fields. Some Southern Alpine passes have Road Snowfall Warnings in force for Friday morning, but more may be required as we head further into the weekend.
MetService meteorologist Kgolofelo Dube says, “Some relief is on the way Saturday, with clearer skies expected in western regions as another high-pressure system moves in. However, this new system will also bring a significant drop in temperatures, with widespread frosts returning across much of the country.”
While settled weather is expected to round out the weekend for many, a few showers may linger in the eastern North Island, driven by cooler southerly winds. Alongside these southerlies, strong to gale-force winds and rough seas are forecast to affect the eastern coastline. MetService will continue monitoring the evolving situation and provide updates to warnings and watches as needed.
Please keep up to date with the most current information from MetService at https://www.metservice.com/
