Heavy rain and cooler climes will be sweeping across the country this week, as New Zealand says goodbye to the hot and humid summer days and rings in autumn.
MetService is forecasting a cool week for most with wet and thundery weather, and biting southerlies along southern and eastern North Island coastlines.
But the last vestiges of meteorological summer will be felt by the end of the working week, with sunny skies returning for many.
A rain-bearing cold front will move up the South Island today, delivering heavier falls to eastern areas at times before clearing from the south and west this evening.
On Tuesday, it’ll be the North Island’s turn to be hit with showers, reaching Northland by the end of the day. Thunderstorms are also on the cards, particularly for the lower North Island and upper South Island.
“Hail is likely from thunderstorms on Tuesday, especially for Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough. While many areas have favourable conditions for thunderstorms, not everyone will see one. However, where they do occur, they could bring intense rainfall in a short period,” MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said.
“After a dry start to the year, many places need rain, but a sudden downpour may not be the most beneficial way for it to arrive.”
Showers will persist for eastern regions and the lower North Island from Wednesday through to Thursday.
By Friday, most parts of the country can expect to see brighter skies, aside from some cloud and showers in the far south of the South Island.
The wet weather will also see a shift to cooler temperatures.
“After highs in the upper 20s and even 30s over the weekend, mid-week temperatures will drop to the mid-teens, with cool nights as well. Parts of the Canterbury High Country may even see frost on Thursday morning, with Twizel forecast to dip to 2C,” Makgabutlane said.
The cooler air is driven by southerlies, which could be strong at times in the eastern and lower North Island, leading to rough sea conditions, she said.
“Swell heights will be something to watch along the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay coastlines from Thursday. Extra care is advised for anyone planning to be near the water.”
Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Tropical Cyclone Alfred now appears less likely to affect Aotearoa when it tracks towards the Queensland coast later this week, MetService said.
The cyclone is forecast to make landfall anywhere between Bundaberg and northern New South Wales on Thursday or early Friday.
Information on the cyclone’s impact in Australia can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology’s website.
