MetService: 31 March

MetService News Release

Thursday 31 March 2016

Most places are going to get wet this weekend, with a rain band forecast to travel eastwards across the country, followed by a cold front from the south. A northerly flow over the country brings heavy rain to a few exposed regions and a Severe Weather Watch has been issued for these. For more information about this Watch see http://info.metraweather.com/e/60812/warnings-severe-weather-watch/833s3k/312154752.

“Make the most of your current blues skies,” said meteorologist Emma Blades, “as you won’t be seeing much of them for the next couple of days.” This is because a moist northerly flow will spread over the country tonight and through Friday, bringing rain to much of the country. With Nelson, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Mount Taranaki being particularly vulnerable to a rainy, northerly flow, a watch for heavy rain in those places has been issued. Thunderstorms are also forecast as the rainband crosses the Northland region during Friday evening. “Some of these thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy downpours as they cross Northland,” commented Ms Blades.

A cold front then moves northwards over the South Island on Sunday and the North Island on Monday. “The cold front will bring cooler showery weather, especially for the lower South Island,” commented Ms Blades. “Following this, a ridge of high pressure will build, so we can expect to see those blue skies again once the cold front has passed,” added Ms Blades.

Official Severe Weather Watches and Warnings are reviewed and re-issued by MetService at least every twelve hours, and more often if necessary. To get the most up to date information on severe weather around the country, or any other forecasts, see metservice.com or on mobile devices at m.metservice.com. You can also follow our updates on MetService TV, at MetService New Zealand on Facebook, @metservice and @MetServiceWARN on Twitter and at blog.metservice.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media