An aggressive low pressure system is predicted to rapidly develop on Sunday and Monday east of Tasmania and it’s going to come our way, according to WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters.

Severe gales and heavy rain are still being predicted by WeatherWatch.co.nz and yesterday MetService also started to predict a rough start to the upcoming working week for some.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the low will be short lived but sharp.  “It has all the ingredients to bring severe weather to a number of regions and at this time of year, when more of us are enjoying the outdoors, people should be aware of it’s fast arrival next week”.

Mr Duncan says heavy rain is predicted for the West Coast and that heavy rain would possibly spill over into other regions nearby, such as Nelson and Taranaki.  He says severe gales are also “highly likely” in exposed parts of the entire eastern coastline of the South Island and possibly the lower North Island.

Weather analyst Richard Green says temperatures may reach their hottest yet for Canterbury.  “With the gale nor’wester and dry conditions in the east it’s possible some parts of Canterbury may even reach the mid 30s”.

Mr Green says Christchurch has had fairly cool easterlies this spring due to La Nina.  “This will be the nor’wester that we didn’t really get in spring – perhaps in one sharp burst”.

“The good news is that by Wednesday or Thursday we anticipate things to calm down, with a large high moving in from the west – hopefully in time for Christmas”.

GFS map for Tuesday / GrADS, COLA

ECMWF prediction for midnight Monday (colour indicates wind – blue/green strongest)

WeatherWatch.co.nz will continue to bring you the latest on this developing story tomorrow.