Looks like a low crossing Southland on Easter Saturday may bring a little unsettled weather, with some more heavy rain for the West Coast. A following high should then dominate by Easter Monday.
Below is MetService's weather outlook for April in a nutshell..
In the four-week window, weather sequences, rather than El Nino, should drive New Zealand rainfall and temperatures. Highs are expected to dominate over the country for the start of April, producing generally drier and warmer than usual conditions. Unsettled northwesterlies and lows then prevail for the second week of April, with unusually mild temperatures expected across New Zealand. A very wet week is signalled for the country, especially for western regions. For the second half of the month, low pressures are forecast to continue in the New Zealand region, maintaining above average temperatures, and above normal rainfall for the northwest of the South Island, also the southwest North Island. All other regions of the country should also pick up some precipitation - including the eastern South Island.
Bottom line:
Lows to dominate April. A warmer than average April expected across New Zealand. Above normal April rainfall for the north and west of the South Island, also from Taranaki to Wellington. Near normal April rainfall for the north and east of the North Island, the eastern South Island and Southland.
Well i certainly hope they are right about "All other regions of the country should also pick up some precipitation - including the eastern South Island.".I know some farmers who have used up half there winter feed already,if April doesn't bring rain its going to be tough going for some.
Yes a farmer I dropped a couple of pellets of sheep nuts to yesterday said another 2-3 weeks with out rain and its all over rover, in his words it would be financial ruin and no point re sowing the ground as it will be to cold.
Perfect start to April here. Sunny day with temps 11C to 23C. Photo taken on my afternoon walk about 10 minutes from home. Sky tower can be seen way in the distance...
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Another cracker day in the mackenzie country today. Next week looks spring/summer like with days of Nw winds but a bit worrisome for north canterbury farmers.
melja wrote:Another cracker day in the mackenzie country today. Next week looks spring/summer like with days of Nw winds but a bit worrisome for north canterbury farmers.
Good weather for me atm as im painting the outside of my house!
The first 10 days of maximums for Christchurch will have to go close for setting an all-time record for that period! If the forecast goes close to happening Christchurch will be sitting on around 23C for an average maximum. Unless there's a very cold end to the month the all-time warmest April in 1986 of 20.1C (for the Airport) will be under real threat...
Some wet weather in store for the west of the country this week, with very moist subtropical air mass feeding down ahead of a front moving slowly north.
Colder less stable air coming in later in the week.
GFS 7 day rain.
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The precipitable water chart is always a useful parameter in looking at how active a NW flow will be for West Coast rainfall. Values above 30mm are considered high.
That moisture moves onto the North Island by Wednesday with heavy orographic rain.
Chart for 12z today.
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Looking like the possible start to the cold season next week with a burst of cold air heading NZs way, snow on higher hills/ frost in the mix for the South Island. See how this develops in the models next few days, hopefully it will go away.
That southerly is looking quite chilly for this early on, THK is only 528 so the hills should get it quite low down if it happens. In the mean time it's looking like it could get quite windy for inland Canterbury this week. This would be the worst combination for you guys up in North Canterbury as the wind will take what little moisture the ground holds and then cold frosty weather to make it much harder for anything to grow. Not looking good for winter feed up those ways
Back to NW again here. Sounds a wee bit unseasonal, or is it?
