More rain on the way this weekend
A broad trough over the Tasman Sea is expected to approach New Zealand late Saturday. An associated front should move onto northern New Zealand during Sunday and Monday, preceded by a strong, moist northeast flow and band of rain.
Some heavy falls are likely about Northland, northern Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne during this time. However, given the relatively short duration of any heavy falls, there is only low confidence of rainfall amounts reaching warning criteria.
Meanwhile, another front should move onto southern New Zealand during Sunday and spread over much of the South Island on Monday as a deep low approaches central New Zealand. Brief heavy rain is likely about Fiordland on Sunday, with a low confidence of rainfall accumulations reaching warning levels. Rain should then spread over much of the South Island and lower North Island during Monday and Tuesday. Heavy rainfalls are likely in southern and eastern parts of the South Island, especially about eastern parts of Southland and Otago, where there is moderate confidence of amounts reaching warning criteria. Heavy snowfalls are also possible to low levels in Southland and Otago during Monday and Tuesday and could also reach warning criteria in Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast on Tuesday.
Finally, a strong south to southeast flow is expected to develop over southern New Zealand during Monday and persist through Tuesday, with a low risk of winds reaching severe gale in exposed places.
Details regarding the track and development of the deep low and associated fronts mentioned above are still somewhat uncertain at this stage. However, people in the south and east of the South Island are advised to remain up to date with the latest forecasts as this has the potential to become a significant event.
comments powered by Disqus