SunLive – High pressure brings good weather

The good weather expected this week, with partly cloudy skies and light afternoon breezes, is due to a weakening front over the southern South Island as a ridge of high pressure moves into the country.

Temperatures in the Bay of Plenty will reach a maximum of 20C over the next few days with minimal risk of severe weather, with rain expected by Saturday.

A ridge of high pressure over the country will move northeast on Wednesday as a front approaches from the Tasman Sea.

North-westerly winds will increase over the South Island and southern North Island, with rain likely in the western South Island.

There is low confidence that rain over Fiordland will reach warning levels, a MetService spokesman said.

Strong northwesterly winds are expected in many areas as fronts move into the South Island from the Tasman Sea on Thursday.

“Heavy rain is likely across the Southern Alps and western South Island,” a MetService spokesman said.

“There is moderate confidence that warning amounts of rainfall will occur across Fiordland, the Westland Ranges and the upper Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers.

“There is low confidence that a rain warning will also be required for Buller and Gray counties and coastal areas of Westland County.

“For inland areas of Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa, there is moderate confidence that north-westerly winds will reach hurricane strength.”

The northwesterly flow over the North Island is expected to continue on Friday.

Fronts are expected to move north over the South Island and a low may cross over the Island later in the day. Strong north-westerly winds are likely in the center of the country, with rain expected in many places.

“There is moderate confidence that the heavy rain warning will remain in place for the Westland area and the upper Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers throughout the morning,” a MetService spokesman said.

“For Fiordland, coastal Westland District, Gray and Buller Districts, Western Tasman District, Tararua Range and Mt Taranaki/Taranaki Munga there is low confidence that warning amounts of rain will fall.

“There is moderate confidence that northwesterly winds will reach warning strength for Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa, while inland Canterbury there is low confidence that a wind warning will be required.”