The weather forecast is delivering a mixed bag for hotspots across the country hoping for summery conditions to enjoy the dawn of the new year – including for a city preparing to host one of New Zealand’s biggest annual entertainment events.
Gisborne, where 30,000 people began streaming in today ahead of the start of the Rhythm and Vines festival, is set to be dampened by rain, the South Island is also bracing for wet weather.
In contrast, the northern regions, including Northland, Auckland, and Coromandel, are expected to enjoy clear skies and warm temperatures, providing the perfect backdrop for outdoor festivities.
As partygoers make their plans, forecasters say it’s crucial to keep an eye on the weather forecast which is subject to change.
MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti said summery conditions are expected to persist until Monday.
“On Monday a front is expected to move over the North Island and thus wet conditions are expected to arrive in these areas during the course of Monday morning.”
🔁A clockwise rotation of cloud can be seen around a low-pressure center in the ocean east of New Zealand. This low is forecast to continue moving eastwards. pic.twitter.com/n1BQqUPWZd
In Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula the skies are forecast to clear in time to see in the new year, but punters at Rhythm and Vines will not be as lucky.
“For Gisborne, the rain should persist into New Year’s Day, but it should ease off and clear during the course of the morning.”
The rainy conditions may be welcome for those who want to cool off from the 24C highs, with the beaches not in action after record rainfall caused emergency sewer valve releases.
“Recent heavy rainfall has overwhelmed the city’s wastewater system, resulting in contamination in the Taruheru and Turanganui rivers, which flow into the city’s beaches,”Surf Life Saving New Zealand said.
Contact with contaminated water poses serious health risks, it said.
Beach clean-up work carried out prior to Christmas in Gisborne has been undone by the latest stormy weather and a lot of mainly smaller debris had built up on the city beaches, as this picture taken mid-morning yesterday shows. Photo / Murray Robertson
It also said all patrolled beaches in the area — including Tolaga Bay, Wainui, Waikanae and Midway — are showing a red water-quality alert. This means it is not safe to swim due to the contamination.
Meanwhile, highs of 25C are expected in Northland and 23C in Auckland and Coromandel.
Those hoping for fine weather to see in the new year at Mangawhai’s Northern Base festival are expected to fare better than their Rhythm and Vines counterparts with clear skies expected on New Year’s Eve and highs of 25C.
For the South Island, a front moved over earlier today bringing rain with it to southern areas of the country.
Shiviti said that rain is forecast to move up the country tomorrow.
For New Year’s Eve, soggy conditions are likely to persevere in the east, including Nelson.
“Isolated showers expected on New Year’s Day; areas with a higher risk of seeing some showers are inland, especially towards the evening.”
