Ridge of High Pressure Didn’t Bring Settled Weather for All

Despite surface high pressure dominating across the country for most of this week, not everyone has experienced the fine weather which often accompanies these systems.

The week started with a thunderclap as an upper level low moved across the North Island on Tuesday, causing a number of thunderstorms to form over the upper North Island.

“From late Tuesday morning until nightfall 904 lightning strikes were detected over the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Coromandel areas. Significant hail accumulations were seen across Auckland city with a downpour of 23.5mm recorded just south of Manurewa between 1 and 2pm,” April Clark, MetService Meteorologist reported. “Meanwhile sunny skies predominated further west over Manukau Harbour, demonstrating how fine the line was between where converging sea breezes ‘jump started’ the thunderstorms and where they were not” she continued.

Isolated thunderstorms developed in the Far North and about central regions of the North Island on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. During this time, the rest of the country enjoyed more settled weather under the ridge, remaining warmer and drier than average.

Friday brought more widespread fine weather to the North Island as the upper low finally moved off. Meanwhile, a weak front moved over the South Island bringing a few showers about and east of the Southern Alps.

The major player during this weekend was a low which skirted the northeast of the North Island. Though the low’s centre never hit the country, it brought rain and gale southeasterlies to parts of the upper and eastern North Island.

“Those running in the Kerikeri half marathon would have had a damp race with 7.2mm of rain recorded from 7am to midday on Saturday morning” Ms Clark said. “The South Island however, remained relatively sunny over the weekend” she added.

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