MetService is forecasting a lovely weekend for most of the country following a week that “had it all” including a tornado, heavy rain and lots of lightning.
MetService meteorologist Heather Keats told Breakfast there had been more than 35,000 lightning strikes recorded across the country since Monday.
“A very active week, the North Island had more than 17,000 of those strikes.
She said Waikato had around 4000 strikes on Wednesday as a ” big low system moved across”, while Bay of Plenty hit 3800 and Auckland recorded 787.
“This will surprise you if you were in Auckland, because it felt like we had thousands and thousands, but quite a few of them hit the Sky Tower. So it was quite an interesting day.”
Weekend a ‘tale of two halves’
Keats said looking forward, the weekend was expected to be “really great” for the North Island, with a bit more activity forecast for the South.
“The North Island is looking really great for the entire weekend. Today is pretty good, tomorrow is great. Sunday is great. Maybe some inland showers popping up with that daytime heating tomorrow, but nothing really to complain about.
“South Island’s got a little bit more activity going on. So tomorrow’s the better day of the two. Rain in the west comes becomes quite persistent and heavy later in the day, on Saturday.
“On Sunday, though, there will be some more rain, heavy falls, few spots of rain and cloud elsewhere but that’s just a feature of the system moving up,” she said.
A strong wind watch had also been issued for Southland, Stewart Island, Otago, and Canterbury High Country about and south of Mount Cook until 7pm today.
West to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, with a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.
Temperatures ‘see-sawing’
Keats said while there was a heat alert currently in pace for Oamaru as high temperatures persist, other areas were “see-sawing” in the South Island.
“Today, with those north-westers we’re seeing those highs back up to 30C for Christchurch today, but then tomorrow is a south-wester, so it drops to only 20C. Then on Sunday, north wester, so back to 29C.
She said places such as Hawke’s Bay were experiencing “consistent heat”, with 33C expected on Sunday and Monday.
“And places like Auckland, though, it’s actually going to be relatively cooler today. It’s only about 22C today, but by Sunday it jumps to 27C.
“We are in summer, so we’re expecting to see those temperatures. But it is still above average in a lot of places.”
Fire and Emergency NZ warned people across Otago not to light fires amid hot and windy conditions today.
“Please do not light any outdoor fires today. It will be very hard to keep them under control,” a spokesperson said.
“If you have lit any outdoor fires over the last two or three weeks, it’s your responsibility to make sure they will not reignite. Please go and check for any signs of heat or wisps of smoke. Soak the area thoroughly. If you see smoke call 111 straight away.”
