Forecasters’ warning: Here comes the rain and cold for the long weekend

• Published date: 28 March 2024
• Author: Pierre Nixon
• Publication title: Daily Post, The (Rotorua, New Zealand)

Niwa is warning of a “moisture-laden” long weekend with rain expected to fall on eastern and northern holiday hot spots. Strong winds are also expected to buffet many regions with temperatures plunging

MetService forecaster Clare O’Connor said heavy rain and strong winds were expected to hit parts of the North Island on Saturday.

“Things do begin to cool down as we get towards the weekend, with showers and a southerly cool wind slowly travelling up the country,” O’Connor said.

“The southerly winds could also be quite gusty and will be strong in exposed places, especially around the eastern North Island.”

She said the expected path of the front could result in rain warnings for Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa.

Severe gale warnings were likely for parts of eastern Bay of Plenty, eastern Taupō, Taranaki, Manawatū, Horowhenua, Kāpiti, Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds.

“The North Island, particularly the east coast, is likely to experience the most rainfall, as we’re expecting a low-pressure system to form on the North Island,” O’Connor said.

Metservice is forecasting the wettest region this Easter weekend will be Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti Gisborne.

O’Connor advised those planning to travel away for the weekend in the...