An unstable southwesterly airflow lies over the country today with showers developing in most parts at least for a time. Thunderstorms are fairly likely about North Canterbury through to the lower North Island in the afternoon and evening, hail is also possible. Temperatures will get quite cold overnight about Central Otago with 4 or 3 degrees possible in areas.
Upper North Island
Mostly cloudy skies with westerly breezes, chance of the odd shower otherwise mainly dry. Late afternoon or early evening winds tend more southwest with a greater chance of showers. About Gisborne expect sunny areas and some cloud with northwest breezes. Cloud thickens up for a time early evening and there may be a shower around this time as winds tend more westerly.
HIGHS: 22-24, mid 20’s in Gisborne
Lower North Island
West to northwest winds increase in the west with mostly cloudy skies, expect the odd shower. Winds change south to southwest in the afternoon bringing a period of rain possibly heavy and thundery with hail especially about the greater Wellington area. On the east coast expect mostly sunny weather with some high cloud and northwest breezes, winds change west to southwest late afternoon bringing a period of showers possibly heavy and thundery about Wairarapa. Showers clear at night from Hawkes Bay however continue in Wairarapa.
HIGHS: 20-21, mid 20’s on the east coast
Upper South Island
Mostly cloudy and cool with breezy southwest winds, tending a little more westerly on the West Coast. Expect showers, showers may become heavy and thundery with hail in the afternoon and evening especially in North Canterbury about the Amuri area. Showers ease in all areas at night. For Nelson expect a period of showers in the morning then sunny areas in the afternoon with southwest breezes. Marlborough will remain mostly dry with westerlies although the Sounds will get showers, late afternoon and evening showers become restricted to the far east of the district and may become heavy and thundery with hail then clearing overnight.
HIGHS: 16-17 on the West Coast and in Canterbury, 19-20 for Nelson and Marlborough
Lower South Island
Mostly cloudy with showers for much of the day, showers clear in inland areas in the evening and becoming quite cold overnight. Expect cold southwesterly winds. In inland areas some sun may break through now and then and winds will be a little lighter then near the coast.
HIGHS: 14-15
WeatherWatch.co.nz
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Holly on 17/01/2013 7:25am
Hi – what does the rain% on the region forecasts mean? Right now it’s pouring down in Wellingtion. The report above talks about a period of rain in Wellington this afternoon (which started at 3pm and is carrying on now). The region forecast says ‘showers’ for tonight but the rain% is 0 for tonight. What does it all mean?
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WW Forecast Team on 17/01/2013 10:21am
Hi there – the Wellington forecast is currently an automated one from the team at weathermap.co.nz. We don’t have the % activated yet, unlike Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. The good news, however, is that we’re launching detailed Wellington forecasts in the first half of this year, which have WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters preparing them in full detail – so soon your forecasts will become as detailed as the Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch ones. Check back for when we launch!
Cheers
WW
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