Here Comes Winter

Wednesday, 2 June 2004, 3:11 pm
Press Release: MetService

02-Jun-2004

Here Comes Winter

MetService meteorologists are forecasting that a cold front and southerly change will sweep across New Zealand during the coming Queen's Birthday weekend.

"This southerly is expected to be cold and briefly wet with some snow in the mountains," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "It is a clear sign that we are now in the months of winter. Southwest winds earlier this week have already dropped the temperatures over the North Island central plateau causing a few overnight closures to the Desert Road due to ice. Similar temperatures are forecast for this Sunday night."

Northwest winds preceding the cold front are likely to reach their peak over central parts of the country of Friday afternoon. The southerly is expected to take a couple of days to spread north, reaching as far north as Canterbury on Saturday and covering the North Island on Sunday, but fading away on Monday. Sunny and crisp conditions are forecast for Westland on Sunday and Monday.

According to McDavitt "these weather conditions may well pose challenging conditions to some motorists or trampers, so please check the latest weather updates before setting out."

ENDS

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