The MetService have issued their predictions for the remainder of the winter for a number of regions in the South island…

SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR KAIKOURA COAST

RAIN returning to normal after an extremely wet start to winter.
WIND westerly quarter.
TEMPERATURE becoming about to above normal after a near normal May.
SUNSHINE continuing about normal.
SPECIALS thundery fronts with hail.
CONFIDENCE low to moderate.
Wet periods are expected from passing fronts, but the main rain is expected to be with episodes of easterly wind associated with low-pressure systems crossing central parts of the country. Some fronts may be accompanied by cold southerly wind changes and showers with some pea-sized hail. There may also be a few cold snaps, typical of winter, but less than last year.

SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR CANTERBURY PLAINS

RAIN returning to normal after an extremely wet start to winter.
WIND westerly quarter.
TEMPERATURE becoming about to above normal after a near normal May.
SUNSHINE continuing about normal.
SPECIALS thundery fronts with hail.
CONFIDENCE low to moderate.
Wet periods are expected from passing fronts, but the main rain is expected to be with episodes of easterly wind associated with low-pressure systems crossing central parts of the country. Some fronts may be accompanied by cold southerly wind changes and showers with some pea-sized hail. There may also be a few cold snaps, typical of winter, but less than last year.

SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR CANTERBURY HIGH COUNTRY

RAIN becoming about to above normal, after a dry June.
WIND northwesterlies coming in bursts.
TEMPERATURE becoming about to above normal.
SUNSHINE continuing above normal.
SPECIALS dry periods.
CONFIDENCE moderate.
Periods of wet weather from passing fronts or troughs of low pressure are likely to bring a noticeable increase in rainfall. These wet periods should be interspersed with dry intervals lasting several days. There should be some cold snaps, typical of winter, with a few dumps of snow in the mountains, but less than last year.

SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR SOUTHERN LAKES

RAIN continuing about normal.
WIND westerlies and northwesterlies coming in bursts.
TEMPERATURE becoming about to above normal after a cool June.
SUNSHINE continuing about normal.
SPECIALS passing fronts.
CONFIDENCE low to moderate.
Troughs and fronts arriving from the Tasman Sea are expected to vary in intensity and duration but should bring normal amounts of rain and snowfall. Some of these fronts may be preceded by bouts of northwest or northerly wind,and some may be followed by southerly winds with mountain snow. Cold spells with frosty foggy mornings are likely to become less frequent during August.

SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR CENTRAL OTAGO

RAIN continuing about normal.
WIND westerlies and northwesterlies coming in bursts.
TEMPERATURE becoming about to above normal after a cool June.
SUNSHINE continuing about normal.
SPECIALS passing fronts.
CONFIDENCE low to moderate.
Troughs and fronts arriving from the Tasman Sea are expected to vary in intensity and duration but should bring normal amounts of rain and snowfall. Some of these fronts may be preceded by bouts of northwest or northerly wind,and some may be followed by southerly winds with mountain snow. Cold spells with frosty foggy mornings are likely to become less frequent during August.

SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR COASTAL OTAGO

RAIN about to above normal.
WIND enhanced westerlies and southwesterlies.
TEMPERATURE becoming about to above normal after a cool start to winter.
SUNSHINE about to above normal.
SPECIALS windy fronts.
CONFIDENCE low to moderate.
Wet periods from passing fronts and troughs are likely. These fronts should, by the end of August, be preceded by bursts of west to northwest wind, with dry conditions in the east. Following these fronts there may be a few cold snaps, with south or southeasterly winds. Between fronts there may be to be some sunny episodes with mild northerly winds.

SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR SOUTHLAND

RAIN about to above normal.
WIND enhanced westerlies and southwesterlies.
TEMPERATURE becoming about to above normal after a cool start to winter.
SUNSHINE about to above normal.
SPECIALS windy fronts.
CONFIDENCE low to moderate.
Wet periods from passing fronts and troughs are likely. These fronts should, by the end of August, be preceded by bursts of west to northwest wind, with dry conditions in the east. Following these fronts there may be a few cold snaps, with south or southeasterly winds. Between fronts there may be to be some sunny episodes with mild northerly winds.