Mostly paki-fine weather for Māori Language Week

MetService News Release
10 September 2018

MetService is forecasting a mostly paki or fine week this week, with a lingering front over the upper North Island the only significant weather feature for today.

MetService meteorologist Mark Bowe says a ridge of high pressure builds over most of Aotearoa today, but the front brings mākū or wet weather for those about and north of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

“A Severe Weather Watch for heavy rain has been issued for northern areas and there are some scattered showers for the lower South Island, but elsewhere it is a mostly fine day,” Bowe adds.

The ridge will continue to build and by Tuesday morning the wet weather will clear out of the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland region. Only the eastern North Island may catch a few showers in the easing southerly flow. Tuesday will also be the last day of the prolonged southerlies experienced in the capital.

“Wellington Airport did experience a Katabatic or northerly wind this morning for a few hours which brought the extended spell of southerlies to an end,” Bowe informs, “If anybody thought it was a bit chilly for an overly long period of time around Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington they weren’t wrong.”

The Katabatic wind for Wellington Airport marks the end of more than 10 days of near constant southerly winds recorded at this site. From records going back to 1960 the only time this was beaten was in 1978 with a spell of 10.6 days of straight southerlies.

The ridge of high pressure will continue to be the driving factor for the rest of the week with settled conditions for most. Only a weak front bringing some showers for western areas of the South Island from Wednesday can’t do enough to spoil a generally paki Maori Language Week.

“MetService is proud to support Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. Check out the map of Aotearoa on metservice.com with place names in te reo and visit our Facebook page throughout the week to learn some weather terms and phrases, and find out more about MetService’s cultural connections”, Bowe says.

MetService issues Warnings, Watches and Outlooks for severe weather over New Zealand.

Warnings are about taking action:
* When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
* Issued only when required
* Recommendation: ACT

Watches are about being alert:
* When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a Warning to be issued
* Issued only when required
* Recommendation: BE READY

Outlooks are about looking ahead:
* To provide advance information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
* Issued routinely once or twice a day
* Recommendation: PLAN

ends

© Scoop Media