Ridge gives way as strong front expected on Mother's Day

MetService News Release
9 May 2019

The last week has been dominated by above average temperatures and settled weather. Kiwis have forgotten that Winter is coming but we are about to be reminded as Autumn returns to normal, with a series of fronts in the next few days.

MetService is forecasting a front to bring rain to large parts of the country today and tomorrow, with Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings in force for areas along the west coast of the South Island and Taranaki.

By the end of tomorrow, the weather will have eased for most leading into a settled start to the weekend with temperatures continuing to be above average for this time of year.

MetService Meteorologist Kyle Lee, explains, “Some of the overnight temperatures tonight are expected to be 8C above their average for this time of year. This will include Te Kuiti, Whakatane, and Wainuiomata in Wellington.”

Late Saturday another more significant front is expected to make landfall in the southwest of the country with strong northwest winds preceding it. Although rain and wind of this nature is usual for this time of year, it’ll be a shock to the system for many who have enjoyed a prolong spell of settled warm weather.

In terms of Mother’s Day plans it seems it’ll be one to spend indoors for most as the front makes its way across the country during Sunday.

“Although there is still uncertainty on the timing of the front, Christchurch is likely to be dry, windy and warm Sunday morning then wet and cooler for the second half of the day. Wellington is expected to be wet and windy for most of the day, whereas Auckland may experience cloudy and drizzly conditions until the front arrives which could be late morning or afternoon,” continues Lee.

The southwest change in behind the front will bring cooler showers and the end to the above average temperatures we have been experiencing for the past week as we return to more normal temperatures for Autumn next week.

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