Sunday’s forecast – Turbulent weather continues as thunderstorm outbreak unfolds
20/11/2022 1:22am
> From the WeatherWatch archives
If you’ve managed to escape the downpours of the last few days, you’re one of the lucky ones. A large low-pressure system churning away in the Tasman has had New Zealand in its grip since Thursday, resulting in a humid and very unstable atmosphere.
Thundery skies and widespread squally showers have been the theme and are set to continue today before the low-pressure system falls apart and surrenders to a series of westerly fronts which are set to sweep up the country from Monday.
Stormy showers should be isolated and infrequent at first for most regions, barring the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Tasman, which are expected to be locked in heavy shower activity right from the get-go.
Widespread showers with isolated thunder and downpours will develop across much of New Zealand during the afternoon, particularly about the upper North Island and many inland regions across both the North and South islands.
Some areas, including Hawkes Bay and much of the coastal area around the East and West of the South Island may remain relatively dry, with just the chance of the odd shower.
Winds will be breezy from the North-West, except for onshore North-Easterlies in the South and East.
Like recent days, we’re in for more humid, muggy air and mild temperatures, ranging from the mid-teens in the south to early 20s in the far north. Most showers and storm activity will ease significantly during the evening, nationwide. Spring is doing its thing!
- By Jono Hartland
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Before you add a new comment, take note this story was published on 20 Nov 2022.
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Christopher Randal on 20/11/2022 12:50am
Am I wrong to think that the weather this spring is a great deal different to last spring? In Waharoa we didn’t have the downpours that we have been having this year
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WW Forecast Team on 20/11/2022 1:34am
Hi Christopher, yep you’re right. The past 5 springs have mostly had below normal rainfall with few thunderstorms or low pressure zones moving through. The current large low pressure zone in the Tasman Sea is so large it’s bringing repetitive thundery weather to many parts of the North Island – and a fairly welcome deluge on Saturday for dry parts of Canterbury. This is a more normal spring pattern than previous years have been – at least rainwise.
– WW
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