Summer storm ‘one of largest’
Sunshine set to turn to rain, gales as low over Southern Ocean brushes NZ
The first few days of summer are expected to bring one of the largest storms of the year. It’s been a scorching week for most and the good weather is forecast to continue for much of the country today — the official first day of summer — and tomorrow before things turn.
Temperatures are expected to reach 24C in Auckland and in Northland, and an impressive 28C in Hawke’s Bay.
But tomorrow night a large area of low pressure will develop in the Southern Ocean, creating a storm spanning thousands of kilometres and brush New Zealand and southeastern Australia.
WeatherWatch has described it as “one of the larger storms in New Zealand this year”.
The area to be hit hardest by rain will be the West Coast, where slips, flooding and road closures are possible over the next seven days, WeatherWatch reported.
Snow could top the ranges too. Winds will be strongest in the east, but especially around the mountains and Cook Strait next week.
On Monday night and across Tuesday gale-force winds are expected to move up the South Island, Cook Strait and the lower North Island.
It will affect the eastern side of the South Island and Wellington and southern Wairarapa. Wind warnings may be possible for a time.
Over Wednesday and Thursday, gusty northwesterly winds could blow for some regions including Wellington, Cook Strait and through the Southern Alps but it won’t be as blustery as on Tuesday.
Wellington has a windy week ahead but only Tuesday has the severe gale risk.
But the eastern North Island north of Masterton should enjoy fine weather, including Hawke’s Bay, which has no rain forecast for the next 10 days and could enjoy highs of up to 30C, and the Gisborne region.
Northland also would be windier than normal and only get brief rain.
“Being in a ship in the Southern Ocean next week would be terrifying, with gigantic seas and hurricane force winds,” WeatherWatch said. “But we’re on the edges of it and because it’s so large we will have plenty of non-severe weather in the mix too.”