A wet end to the week

A wet end to the week

A low pressure system with several fronts is crossing over New Zealand during Thursday andFriday, causing wet weather for many. A Severe Weather Watch is in force for the potential for heavy rain and severe winds for parts of the upper North Island. The weather is then set to improve for most people during the weekend as the low moves away, with Sunday looking like the best day for many.

“While rain will be spreading across most of the country during Thursday and Friday, the heaviest rain is expected from Bay of Plenty and Waikato northwards, where a Severe Weather Watch is in force,” said MetService Meteorologist Claire Flynn. “There is also the potential for severe gales for Auckland, Northland and Coromandel Peninsula until early Friday, though the winds may become severe again for Auckland and Coromandel on Friday evening.”

A low pressure system with several fronts is crossing New Zealand on Thursday and Friday.

Low cloud with rain or drizzle is expected during Thursday and Friday for Wellington. There is also a risk for low cloud or fog down the east coast of the South Island - including Christchurch Airport - overnight and into Friday morning before the rain moves in, Flynn added.

On Saturday, the rain is expected to gradually clear from eastern areas of both islands. In the west, rain or showers will be easing, and showers should clear in Wellington in time for the All Blacks match.

“Sunday is looking like the best day of the weekend for people in the east of both islands, and also for Wellington and Auckland,” Flynn said. “Not everyone will see fine weather on Sundayhowever - there will still be a few showers in western parts of the North Island, and rain for the west of the South Island, as well as Southland.”

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

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