Squally Westerlies

Issued at 12:42pm 24-Jun-2008

Squally Westerlies

Chilly southerly winds laced with rain, sleet, hail and snow are sweeping across New Zealand. MetService forecasters expect these southerlies to move off tonight, and be replaced by squally westerly winds on Wednesday.

"We are in for several days of squally westerlies," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "They are expected to bring blustery winds to western parts of the South Island and all the North Island, with gales in exposed places like the Manawatu Gorge, Tararua District and Golden Bay at times.

Winds may reach severe gale force when enhanced by cold fronts moving onto New Zealand on Wednesday afternoon and Friday. These fronts are also likely to be accompanied by brief periods of heavy rain.

Mr. McDavitt added that the combination of windy and sometimes wet weather will occasionally produce hazardous driving conditions. "It's not good for travelling. People who need to travel this week should check the latest weather forecast and warnings, and road conditions."

ENDS

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