Massive storm is not heading towards New Zealand, Niwa says

Wednesday, 7 August 2019

MetService is forecasting wet weather for most of the country on Saturday and Sunday.

There's 'no need to be alarmed', a massive storm is not heading towards New Zealand, NIWA says.

Earlier in the week, the New Zealand Herald reported a 'polar blast' of a 'giant storm' was expected to hit the country, based on predictions from weatherwatch.co.nz.

But the low air pressure system that sparked concern was currently located a significant distance from New Zealand, Niwa said. 'It could be really far south of New Zealand, sparing the country of major impacts,' it said in a tweet.

'At this point, there is no need to be alarmed.'

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The weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday was expected to be wet and windy, but MetService meteorologist Andrew James said the winds weren't predicted to advance to severe gales.

Wet weather would blanket 'much of the country' he said, affecting 'pretty much everyone'. But it was expected to clear up by the end of Sunday, James explained.

The West Coast, Taranaki and Tararua Ranges could expect wind, with strong winds forecast over parts of the northern and central regions.

James said many parts of the country would experience warmer than normal temperatures over the weekend as the air was travelling from the north, rather than the south.

'These systems … tend to bring in slightly warmer temperatures.'

'[It will be] warmer,' James said, 'but it's going to be wet'.

In the coming days, 'North Islanders will notice it's not that cold,' he explained.

Auckland would see daytime temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius to 16C and nighttime temperatures of about 10C or 11C, James said.

Looking at the capital, it would be a little cooler - daytime temperatures would hover around 14C and 15C, and overnight temperatures would drop between 8C and 10C. James explained Wellington's overnight average for this time of year was 6.7C.

Those in the South Island will have a colder weekend than northerners, with temperatures similar to seasonal averages.

Christchurch will see highs of 10C and 11C on the weekend and lows of 4C and 2C, while Dunedin can expect 8C and 9C highs, and 5C and 4C lows.

James said some places would be 'dipping into the negatives'. These areas include Alexandra with a forecast low of -2C, and 0C in Queenstown.

The recent snow dump experienced in the South Island wasn't likely to be repeated to the same extent, but James explained there was the 'possibility of some snow down south over the weekend in the hills'. He said it was still early days to predict and there was 'still some uncertainty'.

Niwa meteorologist Ben Knoll agreed, telling New Zealand Herald any snow falling next week was likely to hit high country areas.