The intense weather may be gone for now – but MetService is forecasting wet weather and strengthening winds for parts of the country from Wednesday.
Over the weekend, powerful winds with gusts of up to 120km/h left thousands without power in the upper North Island. However, today and Tuesday, MetService has forecast some reprieve, with sunny skies and warmer temperatures than usual on the eastern side of the country.
On the western side, showers are possible, with heavier bursts in the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said parts of the Hawke’s Bay struggled to reach double digit daytime temperatures just a few days ago.
“Over the next couple of days, highs in the 20s will be common across eastern areas of the country. Even Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington is set for a warm spring day on Tuesday,” she said.
From Wednesday, MetSevice has signalled the weather will begin to shift.
Northwesterly winds are set to pick up over the South Island and the lower parts of the North Island.
A strong wind watch is in place for all of Canterbury on Wednesday from 1am to 10pm.
“Those unsettled northwesterlies will give the second half of the week a very spring-like feel. Keep an eye on MetService channels for any updated severe weather information in the coming days,” Makgabutlane advised.
A rain band is also set to move across the South Island on Wednesday and will reach the North Island on Thursday.
A watch for heavy rain is in place for the ranges of Westland, and the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers from 5am to 10pm on Wednesday.
Metservice said once the rain band has passed, showers will linger before clearing by the end of Friday – where temperatures will dip back to the low to mid-teens for most.
Weather watches
Heavy Rain Watch
The ranges of Westland – 17hrs from 5am – 10pm Wed, 17 Sep
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers – 17hrs from 5am – 10pm Wed, 17 Sep
Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers – 15hrs from 3am – 6pm Wed, 17 Sep
Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound – 14hrs from 1am – 3pm Wed, 17 Sep
Strong Wind Watch
Canterbury – 21hrs from 1am – 10pm Wed, 17 Sep
