Look Out For Black Ice On Roads This Weekend

Look Out For Black Ice On Roads This Weekend - 4 August 2016

Thursday 4 August 2016

A wintry blast blows over New Zealand from the southeast with low temperatures over the country forecast to drop further in the run up to the weekend.

Snow has been the dominant weather for the South Island this week, with flurries below 200m reported on the Canterbury plains on Thursday. Snow is set to persist in some places, with the latest Severe Weather Warning including Snowfall for Canterbury, while Dunedin and Otago remain on Watch.

However, even the areas without significant snowfall will be affected by bitterly cold temperatures this weekend. Ashburton could get down as low as -6C, and inland places like Alexandra possibly down to -11C. “Travellers will need to take extra care this weekend”, mentioned MetService Meteorologist Angus Hines, “the overnight temperatures will freeze any surface water – which can result in dangerous black ice on the roads.”

The low pressure system which bought the snow to the South will bring rain to extensive areas of the North Island as it journeys north over the coming days. The largest rainfall amounts are expected along the east coast and a Severe Weather Watch is in force for Gisborne and Hawkes Bay until Saturday. At this stage there is a lot of uncertainly in the model forecasts, so people in these areas are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and advice from the Severe Weather team in case warnings become necessary closer to the event.

North Islanders will also feel a bite in the air this week as the southerly wind extends up the country. Wellington will be right in the firing line for the Petone Winter Carnival and the big Super Rugby final on Saturday evening, with temperatures expected to hover around 5 degrees during the game and a wind chill fact making it feel even colder. Auckland is looking at a maximum temperature of 12C across the whole weekend.

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