24 August 2012

Strengthening Nor'wester to end the weekend

A large high to the east of New Zealand will have just enough time to bring a fine start to the weekend before an approaching front from the Tasman Sea brings more wet weather,especially to northern and western areas of the country. In particular,the South Island's West Coast will experience strong winds and a Severe Weather Warning has already been issued for Fiordland and Westland.

Media and Communications meteorologist Daniel Corbett commented, "This weekend should start off mostly dry for a lot of us, but the approaching front and strengthening northwester is expected to spread rain to mainly northern and western areas as it moves up the country. Some eastern areas will stay mostly dry and actually feel quite mild."

The front could bring a spell of heavy and persistent rain to western areas from Fiordland up to Nelson on Saturday and Sunday. There is also a risk of some spill over into the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers. The rain band is likely to have its greatest impact on the North Island late Sunday and on Monday.

A westerly flow behind the front will help to usher in another anticyclone from the Tasman Sea for early next week.

Keep up to date with the latest forecasts and any watches/warnings at Metservice.com or on mobile devices at m.metservice.com. You can also follow our updates @metservice on Twitter or watch the latest severe weather video on MetService TV.

MetService issues Warnings, Watches and Outlooks for severe weather over New Zealand.

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

ENDS

© Scoop Media