Rain check on spring as fronts deliver low blow
Relief only temporary as more turbulent weather cranks up, forecasters warn
Brace yourselves again, New Zealand, spring has packed its bags and is taking a leave of absence. Turbulent weather is expected to batter parts of the country this week as two confrontational weather systems bustle their way through.
The MetService warns the first system will slide low over the South Island before tracking southeast, with associated fronts from today.
It will move southeast bringing cold air throughout lower parts of the South Island. A heavy snow watch is in place for the southern half of the island.
Strong northwesterly winds will then affect the lower half of the island with heavy rain forecast for parts of Fiordland and Westland.
The MetService issued a heavy snow warning for Central Otago, Southern Lakes, Southland and Fiordland.
A front over central New Zealand was expected to weaken tomorrow as it moved slowly northeast over the North Island.
A subtropical low was moving southeast towards the northeast of the North Island.
A second, frantic subtropical low was expected to move southwards east of the North Island tomorrow and Wednesday.
The MetService said there was uncertainty in tracking the system but there was a slight risk that rainfall could be high. Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and northern parts of Gisborne could all get rain midweek.
The boisterous weather outlook comes after a ridge of high-pressure weather wrapped its arms around the country.
MetService meteorologist Andy Best said it had been welcome after a harsh start to spring had been experienced.
“The upper half of the North Island had to contend with unsettled weather during Monday and Tuesday as a complex trough moved over the area,” Best said.
“Wednesday saw the arrival of a welcome ridge of high pressure which spread from the Tasman Sea across the whole of the country and brought fine conditions with lots of spring sunshine.”