A Return To Winter

16-Sep-2005

A Return To Winter

MetService meteorologists are forecasting a stormy and snowy blast for New Zealand after the voting on election day.

"A depression is deepening in the Tasman Sea on Saturday, and is forecast to deepen even further as it crosses the North Island on Sunday," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "To start with, a cool southwest change is forecast to sweep across the South Island late on Saturday afternoon.

As the depression approaches on Sunday morning, strong to gale northerly winds are likely in the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty. Then things may get stormy as the system reaches the Wairarapa Coast by Sunday evening, reinforcing the southerlies from Otago to the central North Island with the strongest winds in Wellington."

McDavitt went on to say that the timing of this cold southerly outbreak poses several problems. "Apple blossom has come early this year and is now vulnerable to the high winds. Sunday night will bring bitterly cold wind chill and some brief snow to low levels of Otago and Canterbury making life difficult for the new born lambs."

The depression is forecast to move away quickly on Monday, allowing heavy southerly or southwest swells to affect exposed coasts at the same time of the month as the spring tides.

ENDS

© Scoop Media