Easter weekend weather: most should be “hoppy”

Easter weekend weather: most should be “hoppy”

One of the expressions we use to help communicate the effects of certain weather features is “high pressure brings happy weather”: easy to remember, as the “h’s” are the common denominator.

In the spirit of the Easter weekend, let’s get a bit cheeky and go with “hoppy” weather.

High pressure is forecast to have control for much of the weekend, especially in the North Island. For the South Island, there’s likely to be an exception on Saturday as a wave of low pressure (“low pressure brings lousy weather”) zips across the southern tip of the South Island. This will bring showers to most areas along and west of the Divide on Friday night and Saturday. Thereafter, high pressure is expected to re-establish itself over the country and provide a mostly dry and pleasant weekend. However, temperatures may briefly turn a bit cooler Sunday, mainly for the South Island and east of the Divide.

By later Monday afternoon, another low pressure system is forecast to dive southeast through the Tasman Sea. Consequently, cloud will have control over the South Island as north to northwest winds increase. This will bring warm conditions to just about all of New Zealand – especially for areas east of the Southern Alps, thanks to the Foehn effect. A Foehn wind is when air descends down mountains (or elevated ground) and warms due to compression.

With that in mind, we break down each day of the long weekend.

GOOD FRIDAY
North Islanders will be quite hoppy (okay, sorry, we’ll give it a rest) with a fair amount of sunshine, amid some cloud in the central and lower part of the island, and only an odd shower.

For the South Island, cloud will have the upper hand over the southern half of the island with a mix of cloud and sun for the rest of the island. Any showers will be scattered and confined to the lower West Coast region. Temperatures for both islands will be near or above average for this time of year.

SATURDAY
Perhaps more cloud than sun for the North Island along with the odd shower or two. Best chances for a spotty shower will be over western parts of the island.

For the South Island, showers will be likely along and west of the Divide as well as in Otago, easing during the afternoon. Only scattered showers are expected elsewhere, with mainly dry conditions likely prevailing for most of eastern Canterbury.

EASTER SUNDAY
Scattered (mainly morning) showers possible for parts of the Waikato, Auckland and Northland regions, followed by increasing sun. Scattered showers possible, mainly for the afternoon, from Bay of Plenty and Gisborne to Hawke’s Bay.

For the South Island, scattered morning showers generally reserved for eastern Canterbury with the odd shower or two for the West Coast region throughout the day. Otherwise, intervals of cloud and sun.

EASTER MONDAY
Warm with a blend of cloud and sun for the North Island. Only a slight chance for the odd shower or two from Gisborne to the Bay of Plenty and central Waikato.

For the South Island, becoming windy and warm. Expect cloud to have the upper hand, though limited filtered sun is likely over eastern sections of Canterbury. Maximum temperatures may reach the low-to-mid 20s for a few parts of eastern Canterbury. Rain will develop and increase for areas along and west of the Divide on Monday afternoon, especially south of Greymouth.

Have a hoppy holiday.

ends

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