Forecast - Friday 21.06.2013

[Te Puke Weather]

The large low pressure system that is causing all the rough weather we are experiencing sits east of the North Island today. It directs a cold southerly airflow into the country especially in the east. Gale to severe gale southerly winds about coastal Marlborough and the lower North Island ease later in the day.

Northland, Auckland & Waikato
Showers, some heavy at times with a risk of hail easing this morning, the odd sunny break then developing. Strong gusty southwesterlies, gale force at times in the morning especially about western coastlines. The Waikato sees similar conditions in the morning however showers clear by midday with sunny spells then increasing. In the evening heavy showers may move in again about and north of Auckland.
Highs: 11-13

Bay Of Plenty
Morning showers clear then sunny spells increase, strong gusty southwesterly winds ease in the evening.
Highs: 12-13

Eastern North Island
Strong south to southwesterly winds develop this morning bringing showers. Not reaching Gisborne till late morning. Southerlies gale force about the Wairarapa coastline then easing evening. Snow to 700m from midday for the ranges of Wairarapa.
High: 9-12

Central North Island
Wintry showers, a period of morning rain. Snow to 700m. Conditions ease in the evening a little. This is mainly concerning areas south of Lake Taupo about the Central Platue. North of there expect showers to clear around midday then sunny spells develop. Cold south to southwest winds.
Highs: 5-7

Western North Island
Rain, heavy at times then easing during the afternoon to showers. Gale southerlies ease in the evening. Snow to 700m. For northern Taranaki expect showers and snow to 700m to ease then clear late afternoon or early evening. Winds still strong and gusty from the south easing later.
Highs: 10-11

Wellington
Severe gale southerlies gradually ease, heavy areas of rain easing to showers around midday. There could be some hail at times now and then, snow to 600m.
High: 9-10

Nelson
Sunny spells increase from morning after any early showers clear. Strong cold southerlies ease later.
Highs: 10

Marlborough
Cloudy and cold with strong southerlies, gale force at times especially on the coast. Expect rain with snow flurries to 400m, potentially sitting around 300m at first this morning. Areas of precipitation north of the Wairau Valley will be few and far between.
Highs: 5-8

Canterbury
Strong cold southerlies today with wintry showers, snow flurries to low levels for much of the day south of about Ashburton possibly even sea level at first early this morning. Further north expect the snow level to be sitting around 200m, possibly 100m in the morning then lifting to 300 or maybe even 400m by midday.
Highs: 2-6

West Coast
Cloudy areas decreasing in the afternoon with sunny spells developing, strong gusty southeasterlies ease during the afternoon.
Highs: 9-11

Coastal Otago
Wintry showers with very cold south to southeast winds, some snow may break through to sea level at times otherwise remaining around 200 to 100m above sea level.
High: 3-5

Central Otago
Snow showers at times with bitterly cold south to southeasterly winds.
Highs: 1-2

Southland
Wintry showers with snow flurries to 100m possibly breaking through to sea level at times. Bitterly cold southeasterly winds.
Highs: 2-5

WeatherWatch.co.nz

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[JennyLeez]

 The wild weather is set to continue - the fierce and freezing polar blast that has caused havoc in the South Island will bring icy, gale-force winds to Auckland and Northland today and there is still a chance of snow on the Hunua Ranges.

South Island motorists were rescued from roads blocked by up to 40cm of snow, flooding closed schools and caused homes to be evacuated, flights were cancelled and residents stocked up on supplies as an Antarctic weather system travelled up the country.

MetService severe weather forecaster Chris Noble said there could be more hail and thunder in Auckland this morning, but warned the wind would cause the most problems. "Those winds will turn around to the southwest and will probably pick up before dawn. They could be problematic, with gusts getting up to the 120km/h mark. They could damage trees and powerlines as well."



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The wild weather is set to continue - the fierce and freezing polar blast that has caused havoc in the South Island will bring icy, gale-force winds to Auckland and Northland today and there is still a chance of snow on the Hunua Ranges.

South Island motorists were rescued from roads blocked by up to 40cm of snow, flooding closed schools and caused homes to be evacuated, flights were cancelled and residents stocked up on supplies as an Antarctic weather system travelled up the country.

MetService severe weather forecaster Chris Noble said there could be more hail and thunder in Auckland this morning, but warned the wind would cause the most problems. "Those winds will turn around to the southwest and will probably pick up before dawn. They could be problematic, with gusts getting up to the 120km/h mark. They could damage trees and powerlines as well."

Aucklanders can expect a top temperature of 10C today but the wind chill will make it feel colder.

Heavy snowfall warnings were lifted for Southland and Otago last night but remained in place - along with rain warnings - for parts of Canterbury and Marlborough. Severe gale south or southeasterlies were expected to continue from Fiordland to Nelson, Marlborough and Wellington, and gale-force westerlies up to 130km/h were also expected in Northland and Auckland until later today.

 "For northern New Zealand and quite a lot of the North Island we have a change from a northwest showery day, with thunderstorms to strong cold southwesterlies that will spread right across the North Island. The wind around the Auckland area is going to turn around and have a period of very strong southwesterlies that will slowly ease during the day."

Cold, strong winds would add to showery periods but gradually improve this afternoon, he said.

WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said: "There is a chance that we might see a little bit of snow mainly on the Hunua Ranges for a very light dusting down to about 500m or 600m."

NZ Herald.

[JennyLeez]

NZLWF

A very strong cold southerly flow covers southern and central New Zealand, bringing snow to low levels in the south and east of the South Island and above 600 metres over the lower half of North Island. Heavy snow has already fallen about inland parts of the South Island and about the Central Plateau of the North Island. Heavy snow is expected to continue about the Central Plateau above 800 metres through to early Friday morning and return to southern Marlborough and Canterbury above 300 metres tonight and Saturday.

Additionally, severe gales affecting central and northern New Zealand, should slowly ease later this morning and afternoon. Gusts through these areas may reach 130km/h in exposed places. Severe gales in the west of the South Island, Northland, Auckland and Taranaki have now eased and the warning for these areas is lifted.

This is a significant weather event with widespread severe weather. Further snowfalls are likely to prolong disruption to travellers, especially about higher roads and alpine passes in the South Island and central North Island. Damaging winds are likely to bring down trees and powerlines, could damage structures and lift roofs, and make driving dangerous especially for high sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Metservice