Topsy-Turvy Weather

01-Oct-2007

Topsy-Turvy Weather

MetService meteorologists are forecasting more topsy-turvy weather for the second week of the school holidays. Just like last week, temperatures in eastern South Island districts may soar to 20 degrees or more today and again on Thursday. But temperatures in these places are also forecast to plummet to near zero on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

"Last weekend there was heavy rain over the Southern Alps with Waiho, near the glaciers, recording 402 mm in two days and Cropp, near Hokitika, recording 276 mm", commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "We have warnings in force today and overnight for heavy rain in Buller, Nelson and the Tararua ranges and severe gale gusts in Wellington, Wairarapa and parts of Hawke's Bay. We're also expecting squally thunderstorms and some hail over western and northern parts of the North Island later today."

Mr McDavitt added that the cold southerly winds expected over the South Island on Tuesday and the North Island on Wednesday may bring a small amount of snow to low levels. "On Thursday and Saturday further fronts are expected with renewed bursts of wind and rain. Our weather warnings will bring the latest details of these events. There has already been some significant spill-over into the headwaters and catchments of the Canterbury and Otago rivers, so people there will need to be aware of rising river levels."

"This changeable and unsettled weather is typical of spring and is starting later than normal this year. It is expected to last until at least next week."

ENDS

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