Record May low in Middlemarch
MIDDLEMARCH recorded its coldest May day on record on Wednesday.
A Niwa spokeswoman said the temperature dropped to 6degC at 5am, and rose only to 0.2degC in the early afternoon.
The records date back to 2000. The previous coldest day had a high of 2.0degC, set in May 2006.
The weather over Queen’s Birthday weekend is expected to be similarly cool but sunny around Central Otago and Southland.
The MetService has forecast dry and sunny weather from Saturday to Monday in Invercargill, Gore, Alexandra, Wanaka and Queenstown.
The east coast of Otago is expected to be cold and miserable, with rain falling in Dun edin and Oamaru for the entire threeday weekend.
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 11degC and drop to a low of 3degC.
NZ Transport Agency has warned motorists to be careful on roads, particularly Central Otago roads which may be icy.
An NZTA spokeswoman also asked drivers to be aware of localised events, including the Brass Monkey Rally at Idaburn Dam, Oturehua.
‘‘Please take care, whether you are in a car or on a motorbike, with many more motorcyclists using the highways leading to and from Idaburn Dam this long weekend.
‘‘Allow extra time as weather and road conditions can change in a relatively short period of time at this time of year.
‘‘Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving and stocked with food, water and blankets in case of any delays.’’
Niwa senior media adviser Susan Pepperell said although the past week had been colder than ‘‘the underside of a penguin’’, it did not mean it would be freezing all winter.
Niwa’s JuneAugust Weather Outlook said Southland and inland Otago temperatures were likely to be near average, rainfall totals were equally likely to be below normal or near normal, and soil moisture levels and river flows were likely to be in the near normal range.
Coastal Otago temperatures were equally likely to be near average or below average, and rainfall totals, soil moisture levels and river flows were likely to be normal or above normal.