South Island Cold Snap: Chilly Temps & Potential Cyclone Watch | NIWA & MetService Forecast
A cold snap is forecast to bring significantly lower temperatures to the South Island of New Zealand over the coming weekend, marking a chilly conclude to summer. While most of the North Island and the upper reaches of the South Island are enjoying temperatures in the mid to late 20s Celsius on Wednesday, a change is imminent, according to NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research).
NIWA is forecasting a front that will deliver “some of the coldest air of the year so far to the South Island.” MetService has predicted a high of only 15 degrees Celsius for Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill on Friday, with little improvement expected over the weekend. The cold front will initially impact Southland, Otago, Canterbury, and parts of Marlborough from Wednesday night, as confirmed by MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane.
A second cold front arriving towards the end of the weekend will exacerbate the cooler conditions, particularly along the south and east coasts of both islands. “The South Island gets it from Friday and through the weekend but it does reach the North Island into Monday,” Makgabutlane stated.
Chester Lampkin, a NIWA meteorologist, anticipates a west south-west change will bring showers and potential thunderstorms to parts of the South Island on Thursday. By Friday, temperatures are expected to be 3 to 5 degrees Celsius below average for the South Island.
Meteorologists are also monitoring the tropical cyclone season, with a possible low-pressure system developing near Vanuatu. Makgabutlane noted that while current modelling suggests the system should remain away from New Zealand, it warrants continued observation. “It all depends on how it develops and also where it ends up moving… at this early stage it looks like it should be staying away from us but I think it is one to keep an eye on.” Daily updates to the atmospheric modelling are planned to track the system’s progress.