A cool change for the weekend

MetService News Release
27 October 2016

A cool change for the weekend

After a week of mild temperatures, a southerly change is forecast to bring a period of colder weather this weekend.

On Friday, a cold front moves up the South Island bringing heavy rain to the West Coast and a period of rain to eastern places. “Thunderstorms and hail are also possible about Canterbury during the afternoon and evening,” commented MetService Meteorologist Peter Little, “and as the freezing level drops behind the front, snow could fall as low as 800 metres for a time across the south and east of the South Island.”

On Saturday, the band of rain travelling with the front crosses the North Island during the morning, followed by showery southerlies. It will feel much cooler, with temperatures in the south and east of the South Island struggling to make it into the teens. “For Christchurch, a maximum temperature of 22C is expected on Friday, dropping to just 13C with the southerlies on Saturday,” said Mr Little.

Maximum temperatures for Friday and SaturdayForecast maximum temperatures for Friday and Saturday

The southerlies continue to bring showers to the north and east of the North Island on Sunday, but a building ridge of high pressure brings clearing skies elsewhere. Daytime temperatures remain on the cool side of normal, and morning frosts are even possible about inland parts of the South Island.

“Weather conditions look alright for those taking part in the Auckland Marathon on Sunday morning, with a few showers and a cool southeast breeze forecast for the event,” added Mr Little.

The ridge of high pressure moves onto central New Zealand on Monday, so most people can expect fine and cool weather as they head back to work. However, it is expected to become cloudy in the west of the South Island ahead of a trough of low pressure approaching from the Tasman Sea.

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