Dry for most to start the school holidays

MetService News Release

Thursday 14 April 2016

Most of the country can expect a fine and dry weekend. However, an area of low pressure is set to approach Northland on Saturday, and then move gradually eastwards skirting the top of the country. This is likely to bring rain to areas exposed to a northeast flow from Northland across to Gisborne.

“Auckland looks to be on the fringe of the rain band at the moment, with eastern parts having the highest chance of some rain,” said meteorologist Emma Blades. “There is some uncertainty in timing for this low pressure system, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the Wild Kiwi event in Whangarei Heads, that the rain doesn’t arrive on Saturday until participants are finished,” added Ms Blades.

A cold front approaches the far south on Saturday night, bringing southwesterlies and occasional rain to the west and south, and some lighter falls further east. There will be some decent swell generated by this southwesterly flow on Sunday, with five to six metres expected for the south coast, and four metres for Dunedin. “With an off-shore winds forecast for Dunedin on Sunday, this could make for some great surfing conditions,” commented Ms Blades.

In the tropics, Fiji will be experiencing some more wet weather over the weekend, with northern areas likely to bear the brunt of the heavy rain. A slow moving tropical depression currently sitting to the northwest of the country is likely to deepen slightly over the weekend but is currently expected to pass to the north of Fiji. MetService meteorologists are watching this system closely and you can get the latest satellite image on our website at http://info.metraweather.com/e/60812/ings-tropical-cyclone-activity/8c83xr/322799694

© Scoop Media