By Deanna Harris
Today is the first official day of spring but a weather expert is predicting more snow, rain and wind ahead.
Long-range weather forecaster Ken Ring says September may be a shocker with cold gusty winds and extreme weather.
“September cold may badly affect lambing, and there is potential for the cold and snow to reach sea-level along the entire east coast of the South Island, reducing much of the island at times to a standstill,” says Mr Ring.
Mr Ring predicts it may snow again in the South Island around September 21.
“Christchurch may even experience some of the heaviest snowfalls in 50 years, with maximums perhaps up to 10 degrees below normal.”
Mr Ring says spring will be off to a slow start with October remaining cold.
“Thousands of recently shorn sheep in Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu may die from cold. Manawatu farmers may still be feeling effects of heavy rain that started in July.
“October brings the potential for heavy rain in Northland and associated flooding. Snow may lay around until November and on Ruapehu into the New Year,” says Mr Ring.
The bad weather may also mean a price hike at the checkout.
“The cold, wet and cloudy conditions with a lack of sunshine keeping soil temperatures down may severely affect growers – to the extent that to fill supermarket shelves in the New Year, food may have to be imported, raising prices and impacting harshly on the budgets of poor families.”
November may see the temperatures rising but heavy rain is predicted for some regions.
“In November heavy rainfall may affect Gisborne and much of Hawke’s Bay. December sees more anticyclones south and east of the country bringing more easterly winds,” says Mr Ring.
“January brings cool, cloudy and some wet weather to many regions especially the east coast, but overall January should be drier in the North Island but wetter than average in the South Island.”
Mr Ring predict rising temperatures, water shortages and punishing cyclones for 2011.
“2011 may see winter temperatures start to ease upwards. Upcoming drought conditions anticipated for next year may mean water sequestrating now is a good idea.”
“The news stories in 2011 will probably centre around tropical cyclones in the Pacific, returning after an absence, about a dozen forming in all, with the remnants of about half of these reaching and punishing parts of New Zealand.”
3 News