Mixed menu of weather marks end of spring.

24-Nov-2004

Mixed menu of weather marks end of spring.

The MetService Storm Team, a special group of meteorologists dedicated to studying and watching out for thunderstorms, have highlighted the North Island to be the target area for thunderstorms on Thursday. Their map can be seen on the severe convection/thunderstorm outlook page at the www.metservice.com website.

"The thundery rain that crossed the country late on Tuesday was just the starters in a three-course meal of weather," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "Fresh snow has been reported to be now lying on the hill tops around Queenstown, Lake Hawea and Saint Bathans."

McDavitt went on to say the main course for this week's weather is due to arrive with cold southwest winds on Thursday. "Ahead of these cold winds, thunderstorms are forecast about the North Island. The cold air should bring snow down to low levels in parts of Southland and Otago but this is not expected to exceed the thresholds for severe weather warnings. This snow, and the wind chill in the southwest gales about Dunedin, will be very unseasonable."

McDavitt concluded with a note urging orchardists to be vigilant. "For afters, when these cold southwest winds ease this weekend, frost may be on the menu in some sheltered parts of the South Island."

ENDS

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