Latest Weather Forecast

Weather Forecast

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING.
ISSUED BY MetService AT 10:58am 25-May-2012
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST IN: Fiordland, Westland, Canterbury,
Otago

HEAVY RAIN THIS WEEKEND FOR FIORDLAND, WESTLAND AND THE CANTERBURY
HEADWATERS. SEVERE GALES FOR INLAND OTAGO AND CANTERBURY.
A series of fronts over the Tasman Sea are expected to move eastwards
across the South Island later this weekend. These are preceded by
heavy and thundery rain for western areas, and strong to gale
northwesterlies across much of the South Island.
The heaviest rain is expected over the ranges of Westland south of
Otira where 250mm of rain may fall from Saturday night through to
Sunday night, and significant spillover rain is expected for the
headwaters of the south Canterbury Lakes and Rivers. During this
time, 100 to 140mm of rain is also expected for Fiordland. Note, the
Otago and north Canterbury headwaters are under a Heavy Rain Watch.
People in these areas are advised rivers and streams may rise
rapdily, slips and surface flooding are possible.
Northwest gales should become severe in exposed inland parts of Otago
and Canterbury, with gusts of 120 km/h from Saturday night through to
Sunday afternoon. Note, inland Southland, Marlborough and Wellington
are under a Severe Gale Watch. Winds of this strength can damage
trees, powerlines, insecure structures, and make driving conditions
hazardous.
FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND FORECAST CHARTS PLEASE GO TO
http://metservice.com
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS
FOLLOWS.
______________________
HEAVY RAIN WARNING
______________________
AREA/S AFFECTED: FIORDLAND NORTH OF DOUBTFUL SOUND
FORECAST:
Heavy rain is expected from Saturday night. In the 18 hours from 8pm
Saturday to 2pm Sunday, expect 100 to 140mm of rain. Peak intensities
of 25mm/hr overnight Saturday.
FREEZING LEVEL: 2200 metres, lowering Sunday to 1600 metres.
AREA/S AFFECTED: THE RANGES OF WESTLAND SOUTH OF OTIRA
FORECAST:
Heavy rain is expected overnight Saturday. In the 24 hours from 9pm
Saturday to 9pm Sunday, expected 200 to 250mm of rain. Peak
intensities of 25 to 35mm/hr overnight Saturday.
FREEZING LEVEL: 2400 metres, lowering Sunday to 1800 metres.
AREA/S AFFECTED: THE CANTERBURY HEADWATERS SOUTH OF THE RAKAIA RIVER
FORECAST:
In the 21 hours from 9pm Saturday to 6pm Sunday, expect 200 to 240mm
of rain near the Divide and 100mm of rain within 20km east of the
Divide.
FREEZING LEVEL: About 2600 metres, lowering Sunday to 1800 metres.
_______________________
STRONG WIND WARNING
_______________________
AREA/S AFFECTED: INLAND CANTERBURY
FORECAST:
Northwest winds are expected to rise to gale gusting 120 km/h in
exposed places, from Saturday night through to Sunday evening.
AREA/S AFFECTED: INLAND OTAGO
FORECAST:
Northwest winds are expected to rise to gale gusting 120 km/h in
exposed places, from Saturday night through to early Sunday
afternoon.
NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE
9:00pm Friday 25-May-2012
Forecast prepared by: Heath Gullery
For further information after 2pm Friday 25th May contact Duty
Forecaster Andy Downs
A service provided through a contract with the Crown

Short Range Weather Forecast

Northland: Mainly fine.

Auckland to Manawatu, including the central high country: A few showers today. Mainly fine tomorrow.

Coromandel, Bay of Plenty: Fine today. Patchy drizzle developing tomorrow.

Gisborne to Wellington, and Kapiti: Showers spreading north today, clearing south of Hawkes Bay by evening and elsewhere overnight. Mainly fine tomorrow.

Nelson, Marlborough: Mostly fine. Showers about the Kaikoura Coast this afternoon. Drizzle about Nelson and the Sounds tomorrow evening.

Canterbury: Patchy rain clearing this afternoon. Remaining cloudy about the coast until morning, otherwise fine.

Otago, Southland: Mainly fine. Rain about the Lakes and western Southland tomorrow evening.

Buller to Fiordland: Fine today apart from a few showers from Hokitika northwards. Drizzle tomorrow turning to rain in Westland and Fiordland in the evening, becoming heavy overnight.

Chatham Islands: Rain this afternoon then mainly fine.

Marine and Snow Reports

The marine forecast delivers a coastal marine outlook, oceanic forecasts and the latest high tide times. For detailed information go to NZ Marine Forecast.

The snow report gives you up-to-date information of snow status, road conditions, snow depth, weather and recent snowfall at all of the country's ski fields. For detailed information go to Snow and Mountain Report.

Extended Forecast

valid to :

Sunday: Rain spreading most places, with heavy and possibly thundery falls in the north and west of both islands. Scattered falls through Canterbury, spreading up the North Island east coast later. Gale northwesterlies affect central and southern New Zealand,easing later.

Monday: North Island, rain gradually clearing south of Auckland to Gisborne, and fine breaks developing. South Island, Rain or showers for the west. Showers and cool southerlies spreading up the east, reaching Christchurch at night. Snow about higher land in the south.

Tuesday: North Island, becoming fine north of the central plateau, a few showers developing further south with a cool southerly change, snow possible about the Desert Road. South Island, Showers clearing and becoming fine.

Chatham Islands: Fine breaks during Sunday. Rain developing on Monday, heavy for a time early Tuesday, then easing to a few showers. Northerlies strengthening on Sunday, rising to gale early Tuesday, then changing lighter southerly.