Latest news with #Makgabutlane
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Climate
- NZ Herald
New Zealand weather: Rain, wind on the way before strong high brings chill
'While dry weather prevails for Saturday morning sports for most, the picture changes during the second half of the day as weather descends on the country from both ends,' Makgabutlane said. The top of the North Island is forecast to see a gradual increase in cloud and rain on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the western and lower South Island turn windier and wetter late tomorrow into Sunday morning. These conditions will extend across the North and South Islands throughout Sunday and Monday, with rain or showers for most. Additionally, snow is likely for South Island High Country farms. 'It is still a few days out and exactly how low the snow will fall remains to be seen. If you're in that area, it would be a good idea to keep a close eye on the forecast over the coming days,' Makgabutlane said. Our current area of high pressure and associated pleasant weather is set to stick around for a couple more days before things turn unsettled from Sunday to Tuesday (🔵). However, there are indications that another LARGE area of high pressure (🔴) could arrive later next week. — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 14, 2025 Then, by the start of next week, cold southwesterlies are forecast to move up the coastlines of Otago, Canterbury, and Marlborough. '[It will cover] the South Island and lower North Island with a veil of cooler weather and a return to single-digit highs from Tuesday,' Makgabutlane said. Earth Sciences New Zealand said the next large area of high pressure 'could be unusually strong for the time of year'. 'In addition to settled weather, it could set the stage for cold nighttime temperatures due to clear skies and light winds, a phenomenon meteorologists refer to as 'radiational cooling'.' David Williams is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.
Otago Daily Times
26-07-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Low snowfall no hindrance to athletes in training
A low snowfall period is not stopping local athletes from going hard in their training as they prepare for the Winter Olympics. MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said a high-pressure system had hit the region, resulting in no snowfall over the past week and little was expected for the coming week. "This ridge of high pressure is keeping things fairly settled. So, it's quite hard for kind of showers or any big weather systems to move on to the country or develop." Although this pressure system meant snowfall was scarce, it also meant skies were clear at the Cardrona and Treble Cone skifields. Ms Makgabutlane said it was normal to see fluctuations throughout winter with active weather systems bringing snow and high-pressure systems, meaning less precipitation. "Definitely quite a normal rhythm and cycle of events ... there are periods between winter and spring or within the snow season where you get a little bit of a low in the snow activity." The lack of snowfall had not stopped snow athletes as training sessions were continuing to run at both skifields. Snow Sports New Zealand head coach park and pipe Tom Willmott said conditions had been cold, calm and sunny, giving athletes the opportunity to train uninterrupted. "We really love these big, fat, high-pressure systems ... we can train all the way through to Friday — let's periodise, let's build up, let's go hard." Mr Willmott said snowfall was not required too regularly for high-quality training, but a snowfall would be needed in the next week to keep the fields. "The ideal would be a storm once a week, say, or once every 10 days to top things up to help us accumulate the snow required for things like building the half-pipe." Ms Makgabutlane said the start of June brought large snow dumps across the region and the dip in snowfall was natural for this time of the year. However, more active weather systems could be headed the region's way towards the end of next week, bringing a much-needed snowfall, she said. During these common low snowfall periods, Mr Willmott emphasised the importance of focusing on what could be controlled, which meant making the most of the sunshine and training as much as possible. Snow Sports NZ is also preparing to open a new dry slope facility on August 5, giving athletes more options when the weather is not ideal. This was especially important for athletes preparing for the Milan Winter Olympics to be held in February.
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Rain Or Shine, Matariki Brings Us Together
Covering period of Wednesday 18th - Monday 23rd June After a week of crisp, cold days, MetService is forecasting a shift in the weather as rain moves over the country on Thursday, and showers lingering into Friday morning. While some spots start the day under cloud with a few showers about, the eastern South Island is shaping up as the best spot for viewing Matariki or Puanga— and others may get lucky with clearer skies too. Rain moves onto the western South Island late Wednesday continuing into Thursday with some places possibly seeing heavier rain and even thunderstorms. Meanwhile, eastern areas will notice increasing cloud, with patchy rain expected for Southland, inland Otago, and inland Canterbury. On Thursday, rain and wind spread across the North Island, with wetter weather expected out west. Eastern areas like Wairarapa, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, and Hawke's Bay will also see some rain, though it should be brief as the weather system moves through. So, what does this mean for Friday morning's Matariki and Puanga viewing? MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says, 'Showers will still be hanging around, especially in western parts of both islands and the upper North Island, and with showers comes cloud. But there may be gaps – and some spots might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse. Check out MetService's Cloud Forecast for the outlook for your spot.' 'Eastern parts of the South Island look most promising – Canterbury near the coast, Marlborough, and maybe even Nelson,' Makgabutlane says. The rest of Friday will bring a similar mix of passing showers and dry spells. 'But rain or shine, this year's theme Matariki mā Puanga – Celebrating Together will still ring true, giving us a chance to gather indoors or out,' Makgabutlane says. The weekend looks to bring a classic Kiwi winter pattern: a few showers here and there, but also plenty of fine breaks. 'The rain radar will be your friend this long weekend! There will be chances to enjoy some time outdoors,' Makgabutlane adds. Inland Otago and the Mackenzie Basin have been sitting under low cloud and cold conditions. While Saturday might bring a brief improvement, the cloud could return before the weekend's out. Overnight temperatures will reflect that too – after a short-lived increase, Sunday morning looks to dip below zero again.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
New Zealand severe weather warnings: Heavy rain, thunderstorms expected across North and South Islands
New Zealand is bracing for a wet day on Friday (May 9, 2025) as a large weather system moves across the country. Large parts of the country will receive heavy rain, strong winds, and potential thunderstorms. MmetService has issued multiple warnings and watches for both the North and South Islands. #Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Missiles, shelling, and attacks — here's all that's happening Pakistani Air Force jet shot down in Pathankot by Indian Air Defence: Sources India on high alert: What's shut, who's on leave, and state-wise emergency measures The North Island will face the maximum brunt of the storm with orange heavy rain warnings and severe thunderstorm watches in place for several regions, while the South Island is also expected to experience heavy rainfall, particularly in the upper regions and the ranges. MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane explained that the weather system is moving across New Zealand, bringing northerly winds to the North Island and southerly winds to the South Island. GIF89a����!�,D; 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by "We've got a large weather system moving across us, bringing in that northerly wind for the North Island. However, in the South Island, it is moving up with more of a southerly wind, so it's kind of coming in from two different directions. But for the North Island, (it) is that warmer air that's in circulation, and those northerly winds and bringing in plenty of rain, but also plenty of rain for the South Island as well," she said. Northland is under an orange heavy rain warning, with expectations of 80 to 120mm of rain, which could go up to 150mm in a few areas due to downpours and possible thunderstorms. A strong wind watch and a thunderstorm watch are also in effect for the region. Rainfall could peak at up to 40mm an hour, and there was a small chance of the thunderstorm warning being upgraded to red. Live Events MetService urged Northland residents to clear drains and gutters, avoid low-lying areas, and drive cautiously. "Expect 80 to 120mm of rain, with possibly up to 150mm in localised areas, especially in downpours and possible thunderstorms." Makgabutlane cautioned about the potential for surface flooding due to intense bursts of rain. "With the heavy rain that's in place already, those shorter, intense bursts of rain could bring things like surface planning possibly," she added. New Zealand weather: Cities under watch Severe thunderstorm watches are in place for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel Peninsula the Bay of Plenty, and Rotorua alongside existing alerts for Northland and Taranaki. There was a moderate chance of the rain watch being upgraded to a warning. Orange heavy rain warnings were issued for Northland, the Bay of Plenty, Tongariro National Park, and Mount Taranaki. Heavy rain watches are in effect for Coromandel, Waikato, western Bay of Plenty, and King Country. Heavy rain warnings are in place around Mt Taranaki, the area south of Lake Taupō and Bay of Plenty (east of Whakatane and Gisborne/Tai Rāwhiti, north of Ruatoria). A severe thunderstorm watch is also in place in north Taranaki. The rain in Northland was just starting to arrive as of 7am local time , and heavy falls for Auckland were expected today into the afternoon and evening. Although there were no warnings for the lower North Island, including Wellington, Makgabutlane indicated it was expected to be a "pretty wet day" there, especially from late morning into the afternoon. "I'd say if you're in the North Island today, definitely keep an eye on the radar and the forecast. It is looking like a wet day out there." In the South Island, a heavy rain watch was in place for Nelson, northwest of Motueka, the Richmond and Bryant ranges and the Rai Valley. The ranges in Westland had an orange heavy rain warning, as did the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers. The Canterbury High Country had a strong wind watch in place overnight. "For the South Island, the other place I'll highlight is the top of the South Island - so places like Buller, but especially Tasman and parts of Nelson as well, we're also seeing some heavy rain in that area with a couple of rain watches in place until the early afternoon," Makgabutlane said. MetService meteorologist Heather Keats said the strongest wind gust recorded was 150km/h in Methven high country. "As for the rain, Tasman District has received the most in the last sort of 6 to 12 hours, but actually Hokitika in the last hour had 23mm of rain," she said. Keats said as that front moves north, the South Island would get "a much brighter and calmer afternoon and evening".
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Weather: MetService warnings and watches as heavy rain set to batter NZ, Northland faces thunderstorms, Banks Peninsula in state of emergency
'We also know that rain may impact the slip at Lighthouse Rd.' Monitoring equipment would enable the council to make more informed decisions for residents in the primary and secondary evacuation zones, White said. Meanwhile, it will be a sodden commute for Aucklanders heading to work today. A heavy rain watch is in place from 6am for 12 hours, with possible thunderstorms throughout the day. MetService forecaster Mmathapelo Makgabutlane told the Herald 'the wettest of that rain looks like it's more like mid-morning to the middle of the day, maybe into early afternoon' for Auckland. 'Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria and possibly exceed them about isolated areas, especially in localised downpours,' MetService reported on its website. Makgabutlane said today 'looks like a pretty wet day for many parts of the North Island. I'd say as the day goes on, things become wetter'. 'Thunderstorms look possible, especially for places like Northland, and then down the western part of the South Island as well, especially in the morning,' she said. 'The main thing to highlight is the possibility of downpours, those short periods where the rainfall becomes quite intense and dumps quite a lot of rain in a very short space of time.' This could cause surface flooding, Makgabutlane said. The state of emergency for Banks Peninsula will be reassessed on Saturday. Heavy orange rain warnings across NZ MetService is encouraging people to keep a close eye on the forecast as things develop. The following severe weather alerts have been issued for the next 24-36 hours: Northland. 3am-5pm Friday. Northland could expect up to 150mm of rain in localised areas, especially in downpours and possible thunderstorms. A severe thunderstorm watch is also in force for the region. Bay of Plenty about and east of Whakatāne and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Ruatoria. 3pm Friday to 3am Saturday. Expect 100-140mm of rain, mainly about the ranges. Tongariro National Park. 8am-8pm Friday. Expect 80-120mm of rain. Mount Taranaki/Taranaki Maunga. Midnight Thursday to 3pm Friday. Expect 150-250mm of rain. Westland District ranges. 9am Thursday to 6am Friday. Expect 140-180mm of rain in addition to what has already fallen. Headwaters of South Canterbury lakes and rivers. 10pm Thursday to 7am Friday. Expect 100-130mm of rain about the Main Divide and 70-100mm within 15km further east. Peak rates of 15-25mm/h are expected about the divide. Things set to clear for Mother's Day weekend Despite the unsettled end to the week, conditions are forecast to improve over the weekend with fine and mild weather expected across most of the country. Makgabutlane said this bad weather is 'looking fairly relatively short-lived, so by Saturday morning all this weather looks like it's cleared off the country and the weekend is looking pretty good'. MetService said Mother's Day is shaping up to be settled and sunny for most, though some regions may experience morning cloud or fog.
