The weekend is expected to be warm and above average temperature-wise for mid July as winds from the west move back in again.
Winds from this same direction helped boost temperatures into the low 20s in the first week of July. However this isn’t a repeat of that first week.
In the first week of July a surge of westerlies came out of the Southern Ocean and blew across the country for several days. In this current case we have a new and large low forming between Tasmania and New Zealand – and between that incoming low and a high over the upper North Island we’ll see warmer west to north west winds return over NZ.
The weather pattern this weekend is very slow – the weather will take time to change. Eastern areas will be warm with highs in the mid to late teens possible. WeatherWatch.co.nz expects pockets in eastern areas of both islands to even reach 20 degrees.
A slight increase in winds will be welcome for Aucklanders and a raft of other western centres who have endured three days of almost nonstop overcast conditions, called anticyclonic gloom. This is low cloud trapped under a high with no wind to blow it away. Western areas can expect plenty of cloud this weekend but hopefully more sunny spells will break through too as a breeze starts to develop.
Fog patches are also expected in northern and western areas this weekend.
But the low will see showers turn to rain on the West Coast this weekend, then rain spreads up the South Island on Monday, crossing the North Island Tuesday.
Wind flows will go from the north or north west this weekend to more westerly around Tuesday then during Wednesday and Thursday of next week colder winds return and temperatures return to where they should be for late July.
WeatherWatch.co.nz says it’s likely another high will arrive in time for next weekend, with the month possibly ending on an unsettled note as another large low comes in for the final days of the month and start of August.
Homepage image / Zelda Wynn
– WeatherWatch.co.nz
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Johnny on 20/07/2013 7:04pm
Hello, do you think we will get any snow in Wairarapa and specially Masterton this year?… How likely?.. cheers
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WW Forecast Team on 20/07/2013 10:27pm
Statistically chances are slim for Masterton, the hills about Wairarapa could well see some more snow before winter is out. Depends how cold the next cold snap is 🙂
WW
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Guestdeb on 20/07/2013 2:31am
do you think there is any chance upper hutt will see any snow on the ground this winter thanks
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WW Forecast Team on 20/07/2013 2:36am
HI there – always a chance, especially with this ‘chaotic’ weather pattern which has already seen a couple of close calls for snow to low levels around Wellington. The snow storm in 2011 happened in August – and typically the coldest weather is between now and mid August. There is little chance of snow this month – but we can’t see the first half of August in detail yet, so there may be some risk. However, to be honest, the chances of it happening are still stacked against snow in Upper Hutt. We’d rate the risk as 30% in August, 20% in September and 5% in October.
Cheers
WW
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Guest on 20/07/2013 2:10am
Hi Weather Watch, with this low approaching New Zealand later next week, is it looking like snow conditions in the high country of Canterbury? Thanks for your help
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WW Forecast Team on 20/07/2013 2:19am
Hi there – the air coming in around late Weds/Thurs looks cold enough to bring a risk of snow to Queenstown and perhaps a little further north. The chance is only 30% though – and further north in Canterbury it really looks too mild still, with most main centres reaching double digit highs every day next week.
Cheers
WW
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