MetService News Release

Sunday 9 October 2016

Changeable spring weather continues

A front has been making its way up the country this weekend, bringing a period of rain to most people as it moved over. While some places did experience heavy rain with this front, it was only brief. Inglewood in Taranaki received 11 mm of rain in one hour early this morning, and Palmerston North received 18.4 mm of rain over two hours. This front is expected to linger over the upper North Island on Monday and gradually weaken, bringing occasional rain to these areas. Further south, while a ridge of high pressure will bring dry weather on Monday as the kids go back to school, MetService are already warning of the next front approaching.

“Another front is approaching New Zealand from the southwest, with heavy rain reaching Fiordlandon Monday evening,” said MetService Meteorologist Claire Flynn. “We currently have a Severe Weather Warning out for this heavy rain. There is also a Severe Weather Watch in place for the possibility of severe gale northwesterlies for Fiordland, Southland and Clutha from Monday evening through to Tuesday morning.”

The front is expected to move northeastwards up the country during Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing a period of rain to most people, and this will not be the end of the changeable weather. A low pressure system is then expected to approach New Zealand on Thursday, bringing further unsettled weather for the end of the week.

Pressure map for midday Monday: The weekend's front lingers over the upper North Island and weakens, while a ridge of high pressure sits over the rest of the country. However, another front is waiting in the wings to the southwest.

Official Severe Weather Watches and Warnings are reviewed and re-issued by MetService at least every twelve hours, and more often if necessary. To get the most up to date information on severe weather around the country, or any other forecasts, see metservice.com or on mobile devices at m.metservice.com. You can also follow our updates on MetService TV, at MetService New Zealand on Facebook, @metservice and @MetServiceWARN on Twitter and at blog.metservice.com

MetService issues Warnings, Watches and Outlooks for severe weather over New Zealand.

Warnings are about taking action when severe weather is imminent or is occurring. They are issued only when required.
Recommendation: ACT

Watches are about being alert when severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a Warning to be issued. They are issued only when required.
Recommendation: BE READY

Outlooks are about looking ahead, providing advance information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings. They are issued routinely once or twice a day.
Recommendation: PLAN

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