MetService News Release
1 April 2018

A Series of Fronts

“Two fronts, which weakened as they moved north across the county this week, marked a change to a typical weather pattern for New Zealand” reported April Clark MetService Meteorologist, “A similar regime is expected to carry on after Easter weekend” she added.

Two active fronts passed over the South Island on Tuesday and Saturday bringing (between the two) 240mm of rain to Milford Sound and northwest gusts of 117km/h on Tuesday to this relatively wind sheltered part of Fiordland. The eastern coasts of the South Island faired a lot better with the passage of the fronts as much of the rain remained about and west of the Southern Alps. However, temperatures did drop dramatically over the east as winds changed southerly behind each of the fronts, Christchurch recorded a 9C drop from 27C in 2 hours during Saturday afternoon.

“As these two fronts moved up the country they gradually weakened, with only a small fraction of the rainfall recorded over Fiordland making it north of Cook Strait. Long spells of dry and fine weather bookended the passage of each front with Easter Sunday boasting fine conditions for most places, allowing holiday makers to enjoy the outdoors.” Clark said.

Next week this weather pattern looks to continue as a number of fronts are set to make their way north from early Monday morning. Heavy rain watches and warnings have already been issued for Fiordland and Westland.

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