Slightly cooler weather, but no rain of note

MetService News Release
14 February 2019

Slightly cooler weather, but no rain of note forecast for weekend

A cold front moving up the South Island today is forecast to weaken as it crosses the North Island from Friday afternoon, and although the West Coast of the South Island sees some rain or drizzle today, it is mainly confined to the front. By the time the front crosses the North Island it will only bring a few showers, offering little respite from the dry conditions experienced across New Zealand

“Another front moves onto Southland Friday afternoon and through Canterbury early Saturday morning, bringing a cooler southerly change in its wake, but again with little impact in terms of rainfall, with only a few showers expected.” Explains MetService Meteorologist Andy Best. “A new broad ridge of high pressure takes charge over the entire country on Sunday, bringing mostly fine weather, and the dry conditions are set to continue across the country through Monday.”

MetService continue to monitor a broad area of dust which originated over the interior of Queensland and was picked up by strong northwesterly winds just ahead of a cold front, that is currently over Fiordland. The dust can be clearly seen on visible satellite imagery as it makes its way towards New Zealand. Places between Hokitika to Farewell Spit may notice fine, brown dust in the air this evening, and northwest winds may also move fine dust into areas from South Taranaki to Wellington from this evening, so there is a chance of enhanced sunsets and sunrises in these areas.

Finally, MetService forecasters continue to monitor the activity over the Tropics. The focus is on Tropical Cyclone Oma which is currently a Category 2 cyclone, located west-northwest of Vanuatu and is expected to track southeast towards New Caledonia. For more information go to http://bit.ly/TropicalCycloneActivity

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