Wet weather is set to wash away New Zealand's summer streak.
Photo: 123RF
A cooler air mass will soon sweep across the country... with heavy rain warnings and watches issued for the western and south-eastern parts of the South Island.
It's the final countdown
— MetService (@MetService) January 15, 2021
Make the most of any sunshine & warmth today - cold, unsettled conditions are on the way. Fronts currently loom in the Tasman Sea, set to bring the first of the rain to the south tonight. ^Tahlia pic.twitter.com/6s0mZ8P9Bt
MetService meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree says the summer high is "definitely gone".
Unsettled westerlies + active front = busy thunderstorm risk charts
— MetService (@MetService) January 16, 2021
While western regions are most likely to hear rumbling with the rain, much of country is at risk of a heavier shower.
More details on our thunderstorm outlook page https://t.co/BZWb7ZPiRd ^Tahlia pic.twitter.com/eIabiqdjDd
The west of the South Island from Buller to Fiordland, and also the Otago and Canterbury headwaters can expect rain on Monday and Tuesday as a deepening trough moves onto the island, MetService says.
Northwest winds will strengthen over southern and central New Zealand ahead of the deepening trough.
They may become gales in exposed parts of the Tararua District and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings from Monday through to Wednesday.
As the trough moves to the east of the South Island on Wednesday, rainfall amounts may reach warning level in Southland, Clutha and Dunedin, and these areas may also be affected by southwest gales.
Crabtree says the unsettled weather will continue throughout next week.
