Rain, hail expected for start of summer

NZME.

30 Nov, 2014 05:50 AM3 mins to read

Summer has arrived – although day one of December is certainly more like spring with southerlies and hail in the forecast. But the rest of the week warms up and dries out for most New Zealanders – but rain and some wind returns later in the week to southern and central areas. The first half of December is looking changeable – but much drier weather may start to set in across north eastern areas of the country.

Summer will not be off to a fine start, with rain and even hail forecast for much of the country tomorrow.

Showers that have hit Auckland, Christchurch and the west of the South Island today will continue through until tomorrow, MetService duty meteorologist Philippa Murdoch said.

"A cold southwesterly is forecast for tomorrow but things will ease a little by Tuesday, and then we are back into some rain developing and drizzle later in the week."

Ms Murdoch said fairly cold temperatures forecast for tomorrow could bring hail for some, particularly those in the west of the South Island and central parts of the country.

"As we go later into the week it will be mainly fine on Tuesday with a few showers still lingering in the east and south of the North Island, but it will be mainly fine everywhere else."

Ms Murdoch said cloud would begin to develop again over the west of the North Island on Wednesday, but it would be mainly fine in most other areas.

"Some rain will begin to develop in Fiordland on Wednesday and that rain will spread north up the South Island during Thursday, mainly in the west, but there will also be some scattered falls in the east.

"There will also be some drizzle developing in the central North Island on Thursday."

She said rain in the west of the South Island would begin to ease again by Friday. The south of the North Island could expect some drizzle, but it would be fine elsewhere.

MIXED START TO SUMMER:

Auckland:

Monday -- Fine spells and a few showers. Fresh southwesterlies. High 17C Low 9C