MetService News Release

28 December 2017

All go for New Year’s Eve

We may be heading for the last days of 2017 but this year still has a sting in its tail for the eastern North Island. MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning and Watches for the northern Hawke's Bay and Gisborne regions, for strong wind and heavy rain due to a low sitting to the east of the Island. Weather deteriorates this evening (Thursday) with wind increasing and rain developing; the worst of the weather is expected to be over by mid-morning Friday.

“If you are on the east coast make sure your camping equipment and any loose objects are secure and take care if traveling”, advises MetService forecaster Cam Coutts, “Also for those out fishing or enjoying our oceans, there are large swells to contend with on top of the wind and rain.”

Elsewhere, there will be mainly fine weather on Friday. A front is expected to approach the southwest of New Zealand late Saturday, moving up the South Island on Sunday, bringing rain to the West Coast.

By New Year’s Eve celebrations, MetService is forecasting generally fine conditions for the North Island and the north of the South Island.

“Warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine for all from Martinborough to Hicks Bay”, said Coutts, “and it is followed by a fine and mild evening.”

“It is also a similar story heading further north”, commented Coutts, “with a pleasant evening likely for the beach spots such as Mount Manganui and Whangamata.”

In the southwest of the North Island, it’s a fine start followed by a cloudy evening, but onlookers should still be able to enjoy the Wellington fireworks after the countdown to 2018.

The west of the South Island is in for rain, while in the east a warm to hot day is followed by a cooler southerly change and a possible shower. Queenstown and Wanaka may have a little rain during the day but it should be on the way out in the evening, hopefully in time for their New Year’s Eve events.

Keep up to date with the latest forecasts and any watches/warnings at metservice.comor 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

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