The Outlook for New Year's Day

The Outlook for New Year's Day

In recent days, ex-tropical cyclone Evan and a large slow moving anticyclone east of the Chatham Islands have conspired to bring very muggy conditions to many places.

Over the next few days, a westerly pattern is expected to become established over the Tasman Sea and New Zealand. "The high east of the Chathams is not likely to budge, though, which means that many parts of the country will continue to have warm weather," commented MetService meteorologist John Law.

New Year's Day should see much of New Zealand in the westerlies. "This a general recipe for cloud and possible rain from the southwest of the North Island along the West Coast of the South Island, and dry warm conditions over most of the north of the North Island and in eastern areas from Gisborne to Southland," Law went on to say.

"With over four days to New Year's Day, there's still some uncertainty in the timing of troughs in the westerlies crossing New Zealand," continued Law. "So if you're planning outdoor activities for around that time, it will be important to keep up-to-date with the latest MetService forecasts and any Watches or Warnings."

Keep up-to-date at metservice.com or on mobile devices at m.metservice.com.You can also follow our updates on MetService TV, @metservice on Twitter.

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