Here’s what is making the weather headlines today….

WARNINGS AND WATCHES OUT

We’ve discussed over the last few days that today would see a strong northwesterly airflow develop over the country (the South Island specifically) and heavy rain would move into the West Coast.

Metservice have issued various watches and warnings in regards to this weather, more details here.

Please tune in to today’s video presented by Philip Duncan around midday for more details.

💧The next 7 days Departure from Normal Rainfall Map looks like Australia's 'dry exhaust' reaches NZ.

🔴The red shows where it's drier than usual & this is due to high pressure zones limiting rain.

In the months ahead we expect to see more of this set-up. Data: GrADS/COLA pic.twitter.com/fhxkMSjl4v

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) September 14, 2023

CHANCE OF A LIGHT FROST SATURDAY MORNING – NORTH ISLAND

A southwesterly airflow brings showers to many parts of the country on Friday, some of these showers may be heavy for the North Island (perhaps even some thunder). Showers clear from the south during the day, clearing most North Island regions in the evening then overnight high pressure moves in for the North Island.

With this high pressure brings clear skies and light winds, also a frost risk for Saturday morning.

While parts of the inner South Island will be cool if not cold on Saturday morning a frost may just be avoided, despite our frost risk map below showing a chance inland about the Main Divide there appears to be a touch too much airflow going by the isobaric map below. This means the frost model for the South Island may be a little out although Buller and some inland parts of Nelson / Marlborough where there is less flow could bring the chance of a light frost.

More details here.

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STRONG NW THIS WEEKEND

A strong northwesterly airflow is still due to set up over the country this weekend, overnight Saturday and for much of Sunday is when the strongest winds are most likely.

Sunday itself sees very strong northwesterlies for the upper South Island and lower North Island, gale to severe gale winds look to occur.

More details available in our daily weather video presented by Philip Duncan, out around midday on this website.

Keep an eye on any watches and warnings issued by Metservice in the coming days here.

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