Damp Weekend in Store for Most

MetService News Release

17 August 2017

Damp Weekend in Store for Most

As Wellingtonians gather their scattered belongings after gusts of 118km/h were recorded about the hill suburbs this morning, it will be a relief that winds are forecast to remain moderate until late Saturday. From then, winds are expected to turn southerly as a complex low pressure system makes its way over central New Zealand.

Severe weather is not forecast to ease so quickly for those on the west coast of the South Island today. Heavy rain gave way to showers with hail and thunderstorms this morning, adding to the already-sizeable rainfall accumulations.

“185mm of rain has been recorded about Westland and Buller in the 18 hours leading up to 9am this morning, causing surface flooding on inland roads,” reported MetService meteorologist April Clark “During Friday, the complex low begins to develop west of the country and moves gradually eastwards on the weekend, bringing a mixed bag of weather across the country”.

Eastern areas generally hold onto the dry weather on Friday, while the west can expect some form of rain, with particularly gloomy conditions north of Taranaki in the morning.

The trend over the last few days of ‘fine in the east, wet in the west’ reverses over the South Island on Saturday as the low deepens and moves over central New Zealand. As winds turn southeast over the South Island, daytime temperatures drop.

“The forecast high for Christchurch on Saturday is 13C, as opposed to today’s balmy high of 19C,” said Clark. As freezing levels drop late Sunday it’s possible snow will lower to 500 metres in the far south at night.

This low pressure system also brings periods of rain to the North Island on the weekend. This system is dynamic, and further detail will be added to the forecast as confidence in it’s track improves into tomorrow. Stay up to date with the latest information at metservice.com

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