Unseasonably warm start to May

Unseasonably warm start to May

We could see one or two May maximum temperature records being broken this week due to a moist northwesterly flow spreading across the country. The whole of New Zealand will benefit from the warmer air, which is coming down from the sub-tropics. “Even Southland can expect to get into the twenties this week, and I’m watching to see whether the current May maximum record of 21.7C in Invercargill goes,” said meteorologist Emma Blades.

It’s worth noting that warm air holds more water than cold air does, so this sub-tropical air will be bringing rain to the west of the South Island, where heavy falls are likely. “Other areas may see some showers, but the north will escape the rain, with Auckland looking to have a cracker of a week,” commented Ms Blades.

There could also be some severe weather mixed in, with the northwesterly winds likely to get up to gale in exposed eastern parts of the South Island and lower North Island. “It’s the strong northwest winds that will help to drive the temperatures up even further in eastern areas,” explained Ms Blades. “With the Foehn wind in effect we can expect to see spots in Canterbury and Hawkes Bay getting into the mid-twenties,” Ms Blades added.

ENDS

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