A sunny Mother's Day for most

MetService News Release

Thursday 5th May 2016

Heavy rain affected the Wellington region on Thursday morning, where a Severe Weather Warning had been in place, easing in the afternoon. The front causing the heavy rain moves northwards during Thursday, weakening as it goes. A ridge of high pressure is then expected to move onto the country this weekend, bringing mainly fine weather. However, the remnants of the front will still bring a few showers to parts of the North Island.

“A weather station in Tawa recorded a massive 20.4 mm of rainfall on Thursday morning in the hour to 9am,” said MetService Meteorologist Claire Flynn. “The front that has caused this heavy rain is expected to move northwards today, bringing rain to many places as far north as Auckland. The front is weakening however, so while Kapiti and Horowhenua are also under Warning, the rain further north is not expected to be as heavy.”

Into Friday, scattered rain is expected about the upper North Island, though Northland should be mostly dry. The bottom half of the North Island should be becoming fine, after a wet Thursday. Into the weekend, it will be generally sunny, apart from the odd shower still lingering due to the remnants of the front. In the South Island, the weather should be fine or becoming fine on Thursday, and the sunshine should hang around for most places into the weekend, meaning some nice weather for Mother’s Day. The exceptions are rain for Fiordland this weekend, and a few showers for Westland and the south coast.

Meanwhile, along the west coast of New Zealand, powerful waves have been generated due to storm force winds south of Australia. While these swells are not unusually high (about 4 metres), the long period of up to 22 seconds means that they are moving faster, with more power. These waves have the ability to diffract further into harbours, where large waves may not usually be observed. Strong currents, undertows, and rips can cause danger to anyone in or near the water, and the public are advised to take care. These swells should ease during the weekend.

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