Rain, thunder for Canterbury
Temperatures soared in parts of the South Island over Labour Weekend, but they were expected to plummet in Christchurch today, with possible thunder storms in the afternoon.
The sun came out for most of the country over the long weekend, but a front that moved over the South Island on Sunday brought strong winds into Wellington yesterday, MetService meteorol- ogist Stephen Glassey said.
While Kaiko¯ ura and Whakatane hit the highest temperatures with 27 degrees Celsius on Sunday, snow was predicted from last night for ‘‘higher passes in the South Island’’. But this would only be a problem for those travelling on the high roads, Glassey said.
Christchurch was due showers in the next couple of days, with ‘‘some possible thunder storms today’’ about Canterbury, eastern Otago and Southland.
But the sun would return for Thursday, Friday, and the weekend, Glassey said.
‘‘We’re expecting quite warm temperatures for Christchurch this weekend coming, Sunday especially could even be in the late 20s.’’
Saturday was forecast to reach 24C, while Sunday’s temperature could be even warmer with 27C expected.
The warm weather was set to continue for most of the country, Glassey said.
‘‘I think we had some pretty settled weather in the east of both islands in the last couple of days. Next weekend
Leo Buckley, 2, takes on Hagley Park.
Ellie Valdes and Taine Haines relax in the sun at Christchurch’s Hagley Park. especially, it’s looking quite warm right across most of the country.’’
Both Lindis Pass and the Crown Range Rd were expected to have 1 to 2 centimetres of snow near the summit early this morning, and Milford Rd could get between 4 and 8cm above 800 metres.