Forecast - Wednesday 04.09.2013

[Te Puke Weather]

A cold south to southwest airflow is working it's way up the remainder of the country from Canterbury this morning. Rain, showers, hail and snow to various levels are in the mix. Snow will be mainly a concern in the South Island above 200m for the far south and Canterbury, also about the Desert Road in the North Island.

Auckland & Northland
Sunny spells at first however becoming mostly cloudy by midday as westerly winds increase. Rain develops mid afternoon then winds change cold southwest by evening. Rain eases to showers later in the evening.
High: 14-15

Bay Of Plenty, Waikato & Central North Island
Becoming mostly cloudy in the morning with west to northwest breezes, the odd shower develops also. In the afternoon winds change gusty cold southwesterly with rain. Rain eases to showers later in the evening. Snow about the Central North Island to 800m, possibly 700m at times.
Highs: 11-16

Eastern North Island
Sunny spells and thickening high cloud with light northwesterlies, a change to southwesterlies late afteroon brings rain.
Highs: 14-16

Western North Island
Morning west to northwest winds with skies becoming mostly cloudy. Rain develops around midday then eases in the evening as winds change gusty southerly.
Highs: 13-15

Wellington
Some cloud with breezy northerlies in the morning. Late morning or around midday winds change strong cold southerly with rain which eases to showers overnight. Snow to 800m with the change then lowering to 400m overnight. Southerlies rise to gale in the evening.
Highs: 11-12

Nelson
Cloudy areas at first with west to southwest breezes, late morning a cold southerly change develops with some rain. Rain clears in the evening. Snow to 500m about the ranges from afternoon.
Highs: 11-12

Marlborough
Northwesterlies early on with some high cloud, mid to late morning a cold southerly change moves through bringing rain which eases to showers late afternoon. Southerly winds strong at times afternoon onwards. Snow to 800m at first then lowering to 400m at night. Showers clear overnight.
High: 10

Canterbury
A period of morning rain and snow to 400m clears, showers move in again by mid morning and they could be heavy at times with hail. Snow to 400m lowering to 200m in the evening. Showery conditions clearing about South Canterbury around midnight and about Mid Canterbury overnight.
High: 9

West Coast
A period of morning rain with winds changing brisk southerly, becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon with southerlies easing overnight.
Highs: 11-12

Coastal Otago
Dry for a time first thing this morning then expect showers again by mid to late morning, heavy at times with hail easing later in the afternoon. Snow to 200m, flurries may drift to 100m at times from afternoon. Winds strong and gusty from the southwest easing in the evening, remaining showers clear overnight.
Highs: 8-9

Southland & Central Otago
Showers, heavy at times with hail easing late morning. Snow to 200m may briefly drift to 100m at times. Winds gusty from the southwest easing in the evening, remaining showers clear during the evening or overnight.
High: 8

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson - WeatherWatch.co.nz

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[JennyLeez]

A vigorous cold front is moving north today, spreading a strong, cold southerly flow over much of the country. Southerly gales are expected to develop over central New Zealand, with severe gales about Marlborough, Wellington, Kapiti and Taranaki. The strongest winds are expected from evening and overnight, with gusts of 120 km/h in exposed places. Winds of this strength have the potential to damage insecure structures and make driving hazardous for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

In addition, snow is forecast to lower to about 100-200 metres in Marlborough south of Ward and Canterbury north of Waipara, with heavy snow above about 400 metres. In some places 15-20cm could accumulate in 12 hours this afternoon and evening. People are advised that the biitterly cold blizzard-like conditions are likely to cause stress to vulnerable stock and make driving hazardous.
Metservice


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