SUMMER LOSES SOME OF ITS GRIP

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SUMMER LOSES SOME OF ITS GRIP

10/02/2008 11:00am

> From the WeatherWatch archives

Autumnal weather pattern appears to be forming

Story highlights

– Increased shower activity for western areas of North Island this week.

– High Pressure sysems losing some of their strength

– More south westerlies, bringing colder weather to south.

– Windy for South and Central areas, humidity returns to the North.

It’s looking increasingly likely that the dry Summer weather pattern is starting to ease as a more Autumn-like pattern develops, according to the Radio Network’s Head Weather Analyst Philip Duncan.

Duncan says the development of a Tasman Sea low this weekend, a weakening in high pressure systems around the country and a change from easterlies to sou’westerlies are all indications that Summer is starting to lose its grip on the country. “We’re certainly not seeing the end of Summer but we are expecting to see more rain bearing fronts move in to the country from the south and west and perhaps a slight cooling in temperatures”. This bodes well for drought stricken farms who have suffered from three months of dry easterlies. “There’s no drought breaker in the short term forecast but the fact that the patterns are changing is something to be positive about”.

According to Mr Duncan the South Island will notice significantly lower temperatures over the next 10 days. “We have a southerly arriving tonight which will bring rain and a few thunderstorms to Canterbury and that will be extremely helpful for parched farms. The next 7 days will be colder in the South with another front arriving later in the week or weekend bringing a real southerly chill to the air”.

Into the North Island and the change to south westerlies means an increased chance of showers for Taranaki and Waikato, both struggling with extremely dry conditions. “It also means higher temperatures in the east, with Gisborne expected to be significantly hotter today and for the rest of the week”. Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill are all expected to see much windier weather this week due to the lack of high pressure over the country and the development of low pressure systems nearby.

Unstable, humid, air over the western half of the North Island from Taranaki northwards could produce some heavy afternoon showers today, while Aucklanders and those in Northland and Bay of Plenty will see a return to hot nights with overnight lows dipping only to about 18 or 19 degrees at their coolest this week.

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