Clear Skies for Matariki

Clear Skies for Matariki

After heavy rain and strong winds for much of this week, especially those in northern and western parts of the country, we are heading into a much improved, albeit cooler, situation for the weekend. A showery westerly flow over New Zealand today and tomorrow is followed by a clearing ridge moving over the country during the weekend, followed by a return to strong northerlies and rain for the South Island on Sunday and the North Island on Monday.

A cold front sweeps across the country tomorrow, bringing a spell of showers to the west coast of the South Island then across most of the North Island in the afternoon and evening, accompanied by a moderate risk of thunderstorms and hail for western areas north of Wanganui and also eastern Bay of Plenty.

"With the skies clearing for many on Saturday morning there will a great opportunity to celebrate Matariki" Metservice Meteorologist Rob Kerr said. "Eastern New Zealand, from Dunedin to Gisborne including Wellington and Nelson should have a starry start to Saturday, as well as patches of clear sky over the Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Northland."

The fine weather should hold for most over the weekend, but strong northerlies move over the South Island during Sunday, bringing rain to the West Coast, with the wind and rain moving over the North Island on Monday.

The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival is well underway. Pop along this evening and find out more about staying safe in the back country this winter with the team from the Mountain Safety council at the Queenstown Memorial Centre.Find out more about these events and all the rest of the activities happening this week at www.winterfestival.co.nz

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