Wellington Weather
Showers and southwesterlies
It was a fine start to the week across much of New Zealand with plenty of blue sky and sunshine as the last of the weekend’s wild weather cleared the far north of the country. While this week has a relatively dry theme it will be one to hold onto your hats as MetService predicts strong winds to feature prominently in the forecast around midweek.
Sandwiched between high pressure over the Tasman Sea and an area of low pressure to the southeast Aotearoa finds itself embedded in a brisk southwesterly airflow. While the strongest winds are expected around the coasts it will be a blustery few days for Northland and Auckland on the North Island and Southland and Otago on the South Island.
MetService Meteorologist John Law comments: “With air quickly moving up from the southwest, areas exposed to the south and west will be in for some windy weather this week. For most people, the windiest day will be Tuesday before things settle down again later in the week.”
With winds moving up from the south, New Zealand is once again set to experience a few cooler days through the middle of the week with a few showers thrown in the mix. Temperatures in Christchurch are forecast to only reach 16°C on Tuesday while even up in Dargaville the thermometer is set to peak at a cool 17°C.
A few wintery feeling showers over Central Otago could bring a fresh dusting of snow to the highest peaks of the region.
The good news, by the end of the week the cool winds should have eased for most and temperatures are forecast to rise back into the twenties, with spots in the east like Hastings and Ashburton forecast to reach 28°C on Friday. This rise in temperature is aided by warm, northwest winds flowing across the country while a band of rain moves up the west coast of the South Island.
Tropical Cyclone Jasper remains an active system over the Coral Sea and is continuing to move westwards towards the Queensland coast of Australia. Check the Australian Bureau of Meteorology for the latest Severe Weather Information regarding this system.
Sandwiched between high pressure over the Tasman Sea and an area of low pressure to the southeast Aotearoa finds itself embedded in a brisk southwesterly airflow. While the strongest winds are expected around the coasts it will be a blustery few days for Northland and Auckland on the North Island and Southland and Otago on the South Island.
MetService Meteorologist John Law comments: “With air quickly moving up from the southwest, areas exposed to the south and west will be in for some windy weather this week. For most people, the windiest day will be Tuesday before things settle down again later in the week.”
With winds moving up from the south, New Zealand is once again set to experience a few cooler days through the middle of the week with a few showers thrown in the mix. Temperatures in Christchurch are forecast to only reach 16°C on Tuesday while even up in Dargaville the thermometer is set to peak at a cool 17°C.
A few wintery feeling showers over Central Otago could bring a fresh dusting of snow to the highest peaks of the region.
The good news, by the end of the week the cool winds should have eased for most and temperatures are forecast to rise back into the twenties, with spots in the east like Hastings and Ashburton forecast to reach 28°C on Friday. This rise in temperature is aided by warm, northwest winds flowing across the country while a band of rain moves up the west coast of the South Island.
Tropical Cyclone Jasper remains an active system over the Coral Sea and is continuing to move westwards towards the Queensland coast of Australia. Check the Australian Bureau of Meteorology for the latest Severe Weather Information regarding this system.
Brief reprieve, then weather from the west
Issued: 1:16pm Thu, 7 Dec
MetService is forecasting a ridge of high pressure to bring settled weather, before the next rain-maker arrives from the west. This means there is a promise of sunshine for most at some time between Friday and Saturday before wet weather sets in during the second half of the weekend.
Today (Thursday), the last vestiges of a departing front will bring the occasional shower over the North Island. This paves the way for a high-pressure ridge to establish itself across the country by Friday.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane explains, “While a high-pressure ridge typically heralds stable conditions, localised showers are possible on Friday, particularly in inland areas of the North and South Islands. For the Bay of Plenty and central North Island, these may even evolve into isolated thunderstorms.”
Heading into the weekend, the ridge of high pressure moves onto the North Island, while a frontal weather system approaches the South Island from the southwest. The front brings rain and showers with it as it moves up the South Island during the latter parts of Saturday and over the North Island during Sunday.
Makgabutlane advises, "For those planning end-of-year functions and local Christmas parades, the initial part of the weekend offers the most favourable conditions before the front makes its presence felt later on Saturday."
Heavy Rain Watches are in effect for Fiordland, the West Coast Region, and the headwaters of Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers. Makgabutlane cautions, "This weather system is poised to deliver a substantial amount of rain. Keep an eye out for potential upgrades to these Watches in the days ahead."
Sunday is earmarked for wet conditions in the lower and eastern North Island, as the front traverses the region. However, as it advances northward, its intensity wanes, confining the remaining North Island to sporadic showers to conclude the weekend.
Brisk northwesterly winds, associated with the front, will be felt across the South Island and lower North Island, triggering a Strong Wind Watch for the lower and central South Island from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning, with a possibility of severe gale winds. This risk extends to Marlborough, Wellington, and the Wairarapa on Sunday.
Today (Thursday), the last vestiges of a departing front will bring the occasional shower over the North Island. This paves the way for a high-pressure ridge to establish itself across the country by Friday.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane explains, “While a high-pressure ridge typically heralds stable conditions, localised showers are possible on Friday, particularly in inland areas of the North and South Islands. For the Bay of Plenty and central North Island, these may even evolve into isolated thunderstorms.”
Heading into the weekend, the ridge of high pressure moves onto the North Island, while a frontal weather system approaches the South Island from the southwest. The front brings rain and showers with it as it moves up the South Island during the latter parts of Saturday and over the North Island during Sunday.
Makgabutlane advises, "For those planning end-of-year functions and local Christmas parades, the initial part of the weekend offers the most favourable conditions before the front makes its presence felt later on Saturday."
Heavy Rain Watches are in effect for Fiordland, the West Coast Region, and the headwaters of Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers. Makgabutlane cautions, "This weather system is poised to deliver a substantial amount of rain. Keep an eye out for potential upgrades to these Watches in the days ahead."
Sunday is earmarked for wet conditions in the lower and eastern North Island, as the front traverses the region. However, as it advances northward, its intensity wanes, confining the remaining North Island to sporadic showers to conclude the weekend.
Brisk northwesterly winds, associated with the front, will be felt across the South Island and lower North Island, triggering a Strong Wind Watch for the lower and central South Island from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning, with a possibility of severe gale winds. This risk extends to Marlborough, Wellington, and the Wairarapa on Sunday.
The northwesterly wind flow brings warmth to Otago and Canterbury coasts, along with Marlborough on Saturday, with temperatures reaching 26°C and 27°C in Christchurch and Blenheim respectively, and a balmy 24°C in Dunedin City.
Further afield, Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper is now at Category 3, charting a southwestward course and is anticipated to reach Australia’s East Coast early next week. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology continues to monitor its trajectory, and as of now, no impact on Aotearoa New Zealand is expected.
Understanding MetService Severe Weather Warning System
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) - take cover now:
- This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
- When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
- Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning.
- In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!
Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:
- When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
- Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
- In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!
Orange Warnings are about taking action:
- When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
- Typically issued 1 - 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
- In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action.
Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action
- Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
- Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
- During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.
Watches are about being alert:
- When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
- Typically issued 1 - 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
- During a Watch: Stay alert
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
- To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
- Issued routinely once or twice a day
- Recommendation: Plan