New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Archive Library => 2013 => Archives => Forecasts & Warnings 2013 => Topic started by: Suezy on January 03, 2013, 09:59:13 PM
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Soaring temperatures this weekend
RACHEL YOUNG
Last updated 17:10 03/01/2013
The heatwave hitting Australia will cool parts of New Zealand, but not before another weather system sends temperatures soaring in Canterbury this weekend.
Temperatures are expected to hit or get close to 30 degrees Celsius in Canterbury on Saturday and Sunday after a slightly cooler few days this week.
Blue Skies Weather forecaster Tony Trewinnard said a southwest change on Sunday will signal the start of cooler temperatures, with highs of about 20C, early next week.
However, parts of Australia are tipped to have a week of temperatures above 40C, with South Australian town Tarcoola expected to reach 47C.
Trewinnard said New Zealand's temperatures would drop as Australia's soared.
''We have got a huge anti-cyclone sitting between us and that's the type that drags the warm winds from the interior in Australia to the southeast ... On the other side, we [New Zealand] get southwesterly winds,'' he said.
MetService is forecasting rain for Christchurch on Tuesday and Wednesday, with showers through to Saturday.
The weekend weather is due to be more settled across the country.
MetService chief forecaster Peter Kreft said the stormy weather had settled, and now the country was under a ridge of high pressure.
"The weekend is likely to be warm just about everywhere,'' he said.
"However, in the east of both islands, hot might be a better word, with afternoon temperatures expected to be around the 30-degree mark, and possibly higher, on Saturday and in some places again on Sunday."
He said temperatures in eastern places next week could hit the high 20s.
Metservice said average temperatures for Christchurch last month were 17C at the airport and 19.4C in the Botanic Gardens.
Temperatures reached 25C and above 11 times during December, with the hottest day reaching 31.2C on the 17th.
Rainfall was below average.
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