Key Takeaways
- Summer has officially begun, and MetService is forecasting a broad range of weather, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, and sunny spells.
- The North Island is expected to experience a warm and humid start to the week, while the South Island will see cooler temperatures.
- A low-pressure system is expected to develop in the Tasman Sea and move towards the country, bringing unsettled weather, heavy rain, and thunderstorms to many regions.
- The South Island will also experience rain and cool southwesterlies, with the upper parts of the island potentially seeing heavier rain on Wednesday.
- Conditions are expected to ease by Thursday morning, with drier weather and sunshine returning.
Introduction to Summer Weather
The official start of summer has arrived, and with it, a wide range of weather conditions are expected to affect the country. According to MetService, the North Island can expect a warm and humid start to the week, while the South Island will experience cooler temperatures. Meteorologist Devlin Lynden stated that the week would begin with "comparatively settled conditions" including cloud and showers for western areas, with sunny spells elsewhere. This means that some areas, such as Gisborne and Hastings, can expect to enjoy sunny weather, with temperatures reaching up to 29C and 31C degrees respectively.
Unsettled Weather Ahead
However, the settled conditions are not expected to last, as a low-pressure system is forecast to develop in the Tasman Sea and move towards the country. This low is expected to bring a period of unsettled weather, including heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms, to many regions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and into early Thursday. The North Island is expected to bear the brunt of the bad weather, with areas such as Northland, Auckland, and Coromandel likely to experience widespread rain, strong southwesterly winds, and the risk of thunderstorms. The low-pressure system is expected to deepen rapidly, pulling a warm, moist sub-tropical airmass across the country during Tuesday afternoon and evening.
South Island Weather
While the North Island is expected to experience the worst of the weather, the South Island will not be immune to the effects of the low-pressure system. A trough is expected to bring rain through Monday night and Tuesday, followed by cool southwesterlies. The upper parts of the South Island may also see a period of heavier rain on Wednesday, associated with the low to the north. However, the South Island can expect to experience cooler temperatures throughout the week, providing a contrast to the warm and humid conditions expected in the North Island.
Clearing Weather
Fortunately, the unsettled weather is not expected to last, and conditions are forecast to ease by Thursday morning. The low-pressure system is expected to move off to the southeast on Wednesday night, and the drier weather and sunshine are set to return. However, strong to gale southwesterly winds will persist, particularly for Wellington, Wairarapa, Northland, and Auckland, keeping temperatures capped as the week comes to a close. This will provide a welcome respite from the heavy rain and thunderstorms, and allow the country to enjoy some of the sunshine and warm weather that summer has to offer.
Previous Weather Events
The forecast comes after a week of high temperatures last week, and a torrential rain band that swept across Auckland on Sunday, causing some disruption at Auckland FC’s game at Mount Smart stadium. The rain band brought heavy rain and strong winds to the area, causing problems for those attending the game. However, the warm and sunny weather that followed provided a welcome contrast, and the country can expect to experience more of the same as the week progresses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the start of summer is expected to bring a wide range of weather conditions to the country. While the North Island can expect a warm and humid start to the week, the South Island will experience cooler temperatures. A low-pressure system is forecast to bring unsettled weather, including heavy rain and thunderstorms, to many regions, but conditions are expected to ease by Thursday morning. As the country looks forward to the summer months, it is essential to stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts to plan accordingly and make the most of the good weather.