Waitangi Weekend Weather

MetService News Release
04 February 2016

Waitangi Weekend Weather

Just as New Zealand is divided into North and South Island, so too is the weather story for Waitangi weekend. As plans are made for the long weekend a low over the north Tasman Sea is expected to move slowly eastwards and passes north of the country, stretching a band of rain over the upper North Island. In contrast, a ridge lingers over the South Island all weekend bringing mostly settled weather.

Another wave of humid air wafts over the country this Waitangi weekend, as a low in the north sucks warm air down from the subtropics. A strong, moist northeast wind ahead of the low is forecast to bring periods of rain to northern New Zealand from Friday, with some heavy falls possible into Saturday for areas from Northland to eastern Waikato and across to Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne.

Friday will be wet and windy in the north, then the rain band sinks south and east on Saturday, although there is still the potential for showers over eastern areas of Northland. This weekend many other areas along the east coast of the North Island and also from Taranaki north, will see some rainfall, but weather improves from Sunday, with Monday looking like the best day for many North Islanders.

For the South Island the weekend is mainly dry, but there is some cloud caught under the ridge which could bring some morning drizzle to Canterbury and North Otago on Sunday. This cloud is expected to break up in the afternoon exposing some glimpses of blue skies. It will be a great weekend for other parts of the Island, especially the West Coast, but there will be a few showers in the ranges during the afternoons and evenings.

“If you are going to the Waitangi Festival or celebrations for Waitangi in Auckland it might be a good idea to pack a light rain coat,” suggested Communications Meteorologist Lisa Murray, “And if you’re off to the Rugby 9’s, it won’t be cold but with wet weather in the forecast a showerproof costume may be the winner on the day”.

Farther south, Wellington stays dry for the Blackcaps in Westpac Stadium and Waitangi celebrations on Saturday, while Monday’s cricket looks dry in Hamilton too.

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

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. They are 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. They are issued only when required.
Recommendation: BE READY

Outlooks are about looking ahead, providing advance information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings. They are issued routinely once or twice a day.

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