Winter blast: Thunderstorms and gales in the north, freezing -6C in the south
Squally thunderstorms with gusts up to 100km/h are threatening the top of the country, as southerners wake to a frosty start and sub-zero temperatures for some.
Wet weather swept across parts of both islands yesterday, including Manawatū-Whanganui where torrential downpours combined with a shallow early-morning 5.9 earthquake near Taumarunui combined to cause slips blocking State Highway 3 Awakino Gorge and SH43 Forgotten World Highway.
A cold southerly flow remains over most of the country today, and a low crossing Northland and Auckland promised more heavy showers and potentially squally thunderstorms after an already unsettled start to the weekend, MetService meteorologist Ashlee Parkes said.
“When we talk about squally thunderstorms, we’re talking about the potential for strong gusts with those thunderstorms.
“So areas particularly through Northland may see some gusts in the 80 to 100km/h range in the morning with potential thunderstorms.”
The thunderstorm risk continues into the afternoon before conditions ease in the evening, she said.
But the rest of the country was looking relatively fine, although showers weren’t expected to clear out of the central North Island until later this morning, with a mostly fine afternoon.
The South Island was the place to be today, Parkes said.
Sunny weather is forecast across almost the entire island, with only parts of the deep south in line for a touch of wet weather.
However, clear skies also meant a frigid start.
“We’ve just had this big sub-Antarctic air push over the country bringing these cool southerlies. Some places particularly through Canterbury, Central Otago are going to wake up some very cool temperatures … and potentially severe frosts for some places.”
The MetService rain forecast for the top of the North Island at 9am today (Sunday). Image / MetService
A low of -6C was expected in Twizel, with a biting -4C on the way for Christchurch, Timaru, Ashburton and Alexandra.
“Those temperatures are definitely what we would be looking at for crunchy grass.”
Daytime highs wouldn’t be more than a degree or two below average for the time of year though.
A high of 13C is forecast in Auckland and Tauranga, with 11C in Hamilton, and 9C in the capital, Christchurch and Dunedin.
The chilly start would return tomorrow, with another fine day expected for most of the country – including Northland and Auckland, Parkes said.
A weak front would brush past the southwest of the South Island, she said.
“Unfortunately it’s the usual Fiordland and Stewart Island [that] may see some wet weather, but most other areas should be predominantly fine.”
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