The week starts with calm weather for most areas, but MetService predicts a wave of rain to sweep across New Zealand on Tuesday and Wednesday. The South Island’s east coast will experience significant temperature changes from day to day.
A Heavy Rain Watch is in effect from 1am to 4pm on Tuesday for the Westland ranges south of Otira.
“The West Coast is expected to receive the most rain, but nearly all of New Zealand will get some rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. The driest areas will be the eastern regions of the North Island,” says MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris.
Northern Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne / Tairāwhiti are expected to have rain on Wednesday and scattered showers on Thursday and Friday.
“The end of the week will be drier and calmer than the last few days,” says Lewis. “This is somewhat good news considering these areas received about 100-200mm of rain from Friday to Sunday, falling on already wet ground.
As the southerly change moves up the South Island on Tuesday, there’s a risk of afternoon and evening thunderstorms with hail, mainly in the eastern regions south of Marlborough.
Temperatures between Timaru and Blenheim are expected to hit the mid-twenties on Tuesday. However, after the southerly change, they’re more likely to reach the mid-teens on Wednesday.
