SunLive – the country is expecting a rainy working weekend

Rain is set to spoil plans for the outdoor labor weekend as a plume of tropical moisture hits the country starting today.

Flooding is possible in the South Island as warm temperatures melt snow ahead of wet and rainy days.

MetService meteorologist Claire O’Connor said anyone looking for a warm and sunny Labor weekend should head to the East Coast.

The rest of the country will be out of luck if they want to spend the long weekend relaxing on the beach, especially on a Saturday.

“Last weekend went well in many parts of the country, it will not happen again.”

Aucklanders should make plans for the weekend indoors, with rain and northerly winds forecast for all three days.

Metservices said a large trough of low pressure was likely to cover much of New Zealand on Saturday, with northerly winds affecting the North Island and southerly winds developing over the South Island.

“There is significant uncertainty about the worst affected areas, but heavy rain could affect many parts of the country.

“Consequently, there is low confidence that heavy northerly rain may reach warning criteria in the eastern Bay of Plenty, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taranaki, Kapiti (including the Tararua Range), Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson/Tasman and northern Buller.”

O’Connor said the weather would be worse on Saturday, with the rain “easing up a bit” on Sunday and easing again on Monday, but there would still be rain.

She said the best weather for most would be heading into the weekend.

O’Connor said Hawke’s Bay would see maximum temperatures of 26 to 27 degrees Celsius on Thursday and Friday – Hawke’s Bay’s anniversary day – and minimum temperatures of 13 and 16 degrees Celsius.

High temperatures will continue across the country, but O’Connor warned this is not good news for everyone.

The Southland will see a wet run-up to Labor Day as a plume of tropical moisture hits.

She said Southland was at risk of melting mountain snow filling rivers and catchments ahead of several days of heavy rain.

“Especially in the Otago area because there’s already been so much moisture there over the last couple of weeks.”

A heavy rain warning will be in place for the upper Otago lakes and rivers for 24 hours from 4pm today.

“The heaviest falls are likely on Thursday morning, with rates of 15 to 25 mm per hour possible near the watershed,” MetService said.

“Streams and rivers can rise quickly. Surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions may occur.”

A heavy rain warning is also in place for Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound from 9am to 3pm.

A heavy rainfall watch has been issued for the Westland district and the upper Canterbury lakes and rivers.

-Bay of Plenty Times.