Hot temperatures set to cool slightly this weekend

31 January 2019

Summer has certainly taken hold this week with loads of attention on the temperatures the last few days. If you are sick of the heat there is hope, MetService is forecasting a front to bring rain to many parts of the South Island tomorrow and a few showers about the North Island on Saturday. This front will also be accompanied by cooler air bringing temperatures back to average for this time of year this weekend, with some reprieve from warm and muggy overnight temperatures.

The front will also bring some severe weather with it, with Severe Weather Warnings issued by MetService this morning for strong wind in Canterbury High Country including the foothills, Otago, Fiordland and Southland. These will all occur early Friday, more details can be found here http://bit.ly/AllWarnings. Although the warnings are focusing on the winds preceding the front, the southerly expected behind the front is worth noting as it will be briefly strong along the east coast of the South Island and central New Zealand as well.

“We could see some brief southerly gales behind the front with strong gusts all the way through to central New Zealand,” says MetService Meteorologist Kyle Lee.

There is also a Heavy Rain Watch out for the west coast of the South Island for tomorrow morning, more details on this can be found here http://bit.ly/SWWatch.

With official Heat Wave conditions in store for quite a few areas today and tomorrow, the welcome news is that temperatures will cool slightly to more average temperatures for this time of year.

“Places like Blenheim are expected to peak at 33C on Friday ahead of the front with the maximum temperature dropping to 21C on Saturday. More significantly the overnight temperatures are expected to drop for the country as well, which will make sleeping easier over the weekend.” continued Lee.

After the front has weakened away by the end of the weekend, a ridge of high pressure is set to dominate the weather again for the country leading into next week.

Warnings are about taking action:
• When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
• Issued only when required
• Recommendation: ACT
Watches are about being alert:
• When severe weather is possible but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a Warning to be issued
• Issued only when required
• Recommendation: BE READY
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
• To provide advance information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
• Issued routinely once or twice a day
• Recommendation: PLAN

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