Low pressure brings rain, wind and more for the weekend

MetService News Release
Thursday 19 May 2016

Low pressure brings rain, wind and more for the weekend

A weekend of unsettled weather lies ahead as a low pressure system moves up the country bringing periods of heavy rain, strong winds and cooler temperatures.

A southwest flow breaks down today as a low pressure system approaches the far south from the Tasman. The low stalls southwest of Fiordland tomorrow and spreads a front, with heavy rain and thunderstorms in the west, across the South Island in the morning and the North Island from the afternoon.

“On Saturday the low moves over Auckland in the evening followed by a strong south to southwest wind flow,” explained MetService Meteorologist Ciaran Doolin. “Heavy rain and further squally thunderstorms are possible in central and northern areas of the North Island Saturday evening. Meanwhile, western coastal areas of the North Island are likely to be affected by a large southwest swell during this period.”

The low moves east of the North Island on Sunday, easing the winds over the central and northern North Island. However, severe southwest gales and a large southerly swell are expected along eastern coasts of the North and South Islands, persisting into Monday.

“On the upside, the South Island ski fields are in for a dusting of snow during the weekend, especially the Canterbury fields,” Doolin added.

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