> From the WeatherWatch archives
+ YOUR QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND WEATHER
In what has been the warmest May on record, since figures started in the 1850’s, we today move into Winter. June 1st marks the first day of Winter in New Zealand and for many it’s hard to believe the coldest weather of the year is only a few weeks away. TRN’s Head Weather Analyst Philip Duncan warns not to be fooled by the warmer weather. “The cold weather is building over Antarctica and as soon as the large highs move further north we’re likely to be walloped by some pretty cold weather out of the blue. I’d suggest that most seasons over the past year or so have been running a month or two late…winter may well start in late June and run into late October this year”.
Of course that’s looking into the crystal ball – so what does this long weekend have in store for us?
Queens Birthday Weekend Weather
“This Queen’s Birthday weekend is going to be an absolute mixed bag. Most places will see rain or showers, mostly on Saturday with the south having a wee cold snap on Sunday”. Mr Duncan says farmers in South Hawke’s bay aren’t likely to see much rain. “At the time this story went to air [Thurs night] there was just a 20% chance of showers in Hawkes Bay…that’d be lucky to be more than a few millimetres at best”.
The weather in your holiday town…
Bay of Islands/Auckland/Coromandel/Bay of Plenty – rain on Saturday but improving on Sunday. The cold weather won’t make it this far north so enjoy much warmer nights (back into the lower teens) and mild days (around 17 or 18). Sunday and Monday should be enjoyable.
Taupo – similar to the north, but the rain will be lighter and the winds will be a little cooler on Monday…but nothing too unpleasant.
Gisborne & Napier will enjoy warm light nor’westers and more sun than anywhere else. A few showers around Gisborne on Saturday otherwise a sunny Sunday and Monday. Be aware strong winds may develop during Monday south of Napier.
Taranaki – showery and cool – highs only around 13 or 14.
Wellington – sorry guys, worse still – showers all weekend, improving Monday though but a cold snap will arrive on Sunday…high just 12!
Nelson – a few showers Saturday will turn to light rain, but easing back on Sunday to mainly dry weather.
Christchurch and Dunedin – one or two showers, intensifying on Sunday with a bitterly cold southerly change – just 9 or 10 degrees your highs on Sunday. Better on Monday.
Queenstown and Central Otago – a few showers on Saturday then mostly cloudy and cold.
Invercargill: It’s been warm lately – but back to cold this weekend – wet Sat, then cloudy and cold with one or two shows Sun and Mon. And it’s going to be really windy – gales possible on Monday.
West Coast – wet and cold but improving Monday.
YOUR TRAVEL FORECAST
*Rating your travel comfort.
Driving:
Saturday: Average. Wet in most places will make driving conditions difficult for some, however the rain isn’t expected to be too heavy.
Sunday: Good. Just a few showers about, otherwise a good driving day.
Monday: Good. Drier roads, but watch for wind gusts in the south eastern areas of both islands.
Flying:
Saturday: Good. Might be wet, but it should be calm for most places. Could be windy in Wellington…(really?)
Sunday: Good. Good flying conditions.
Monday: Average. Most main airports should be ok, but Napier, Wellington, Palmerston North, Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown could all be quite windy. Napier and Invercargill especially.
Cook Strait ferries.
Saturday: Poor toAverage.Very rough sea and moderate swell, however easing during the day.
Sunday: Average: A moderate Southerly swell.
Monday: Average to Poor. Winds are likely to be gale force later in the day.
*These are just subjective opinions based on weather data provided on Thursday May 31st. Please monitor the latest weather forecasts before travelling.
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