Local Weather with WAL (Waitaki App Limited)
Staff Reporter
11 July 2023, 7:30 AM
Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of walkies to be had by the end of the week… PHOTO: Alex RegtienIt looks like it’ll be a real mix for the weather this week, but the good news is that the coming Matariki weekend forecast will be more settled.
In fact, northwesterly winds over this coming weekend will bump up the daytime highs to well above average for July. It may even be…dare I say it…warm-ish?!
Not great news for southern skifields, but there's plenty of winter left. One big snow bearing weather system can be a game changer at this time of year.
Before that though, this week's forecast includes a MetService Severe Weather Outlook for coastal areas of Southland, Clutha, Dunedin, North Otago and Nelson/Tasman with a very quick blast of wintery weather rolling over the south.
There are also Road Snowfall warnings for the Alpine passes, including The Dunedin to Waitati Highway and The Lindis Pass. These are for early Wednesday and potentially into Thursday in some cases, so if you are travelling please stay up to date with the latest forecasts.
MetService Severe Weather Outlook
Issued at 10:25am Tue 11 Jul 2023
Valid Thu 13 Jul 2023 to Sun 16 Jul 2023
A strong and cold southwest flow is expected over the country early Thursday.
There is low confidence that winds will reach severe gale force on Thursday about Stewart Island and coastal areas of Southland, Clutha, Dunedin and North Otago and Nelson/Tasman.
There is also likely to be some heavy rain about Fiordland on Thursday and there is low confidence that a rainfall warning will be required.
The southwest flow eases late Thursday and during Friday as a ridge over the Tasman Sea moves closer to New Zealand. The flow should turn northwest over the South Island on Saturday before turning back southwest on Sunday.
MetService Road Snowfall Warnings for all New Zealand
Issued at 9:41am Wed 12 Jul 2023
Lewis Pass (SH7)
Valid: 9 hours from 2:00pm Wed 12 Jul to 11:00pm Wed 12 Jul
Forecast: Some snow flurries may affect the road this afternoon and evening. 1 or 2 cm of snow may settle above about 700 metres.
Arthurs Pass (SH73)
Valid: 4 hours from 1:00am Thu 13 Jul to 5:00am Thu 13 Jul
Forecast: Brief snow may affect the road overnight Wednesday. 1 cm of snow or less may settle near the summit.
Porters Pass (SH73)
Valid: 7 hours from 1:00am Thu 13 Jul to 8:00am Thu 13 Jul
Forecast: A few snow flurries may affect the road overnight Wednesday near the summit and into the early hours of Thursday morning. Little if any snow is expected to settle on the road.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Valid: 20 hours from 9:00am Wed 12 Jul to 5:00am Thu 13 Jul
Forecast: A few show showers may affect the road this morning and 1 or 2 cm of snow may settle on the road above 600 metres. Further snow may affect the road from late Wednesday evening and overnight Wednesday bringing 2 to 4 cm of snow above about 700 metres.
Crown Range Road
Valid: 9 hours from 5:00pm Wed 12 Jul to 2:00am Thu 13 Jul
Forecast: Snow showers are expected to affect the road Wednesday evening and overnight Wednesday. Expect 3 to 5 cm of snow to settle on the road above about 600 metres.
Milford Road (SH94)
Valid: 14 hours from 9:00am Wed 12 Jul to 11:00pm Wed 12 Jul
Forecast: Snow showers are expected to affect the road today with 2 to 4 cm of snow above about 400 metres. Expect a further 2 to 4 cm above about 600 metres late this evening.
Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1)
Valid: 9 hours from 9:00am Wed 12 Jul to 6:00pm Wed 12 Jul
Forecast: Snow flurries may fall near the summit of the road today, but little if any is expected to settle on the road.
So after all that, what will the Waitaki district get this week? Coastal areas will see northerlies develop this evening (Tuesday) and an overnight low of 3deg C.
Wednesday will be mainly fine with northwesterlies early on, turning southwesterly with showers later in the morning, clearing in the afternoon and a high of 10deg C, dropping to 2C overnight.
Thursday will see a few showers turn to rain later in the day with northerlies developing and a high of 12deg C, down to 3C at night.
MetService forecast graphic for Oamaru: Issued Tuesday 11th July.
Friday (Matariki) will be partly cloudy with a high of 12deg C, with the chance of a shower toward the end of the day and into the evening with southwesterlies easing and an overnight low of 4C.
At this stage the weekend is looking great! Saturday will be partly cloudy with Northwesterlies and a balmy high for July of 15deg C, dropping to 6C. Sunday may have a few showers clearing to fine weather and a high of 14C, dropping to 6C on Sunday night
Up Omarama way, today (Tuesday) has been mainly fine at 7deg C, and will drop down to -1C tonight.
Wednesday will see showers with rain about the divide in the morning, clearing in the afternoon and a high of 7deg C. Snow will lower to 700 metres with westerlies and it’ll drop to -2C at night
Thursday will be mostly cloudy with isolated showers and a high of 11deg C. Strong northwesterlies 45km/h will rise to gale 80km/h at 1000 metres and 80km/h westerlies at 2000 metres, with an overnight low of 0C.
MetService forecast graphic for Omarama: Issued Tuesday 11th July.
Friday is looking nice - fine with fresh southwesterlies easing. A high of 11deg C, dropping down to a low of 0C.
Saturday will be partly cloudy with westerlies becoming stronger later in the day and a high of 12deg C, dropping to 1C overnight. Sunday will be fine with northwesterlies and a groundhog day temperature wise, with a high of 12deg C, down to a low of 1C.
For the latest updated forecasts and real time conditions in your local area, click on the Waitaki towns below, or go to the Weather category, next to News|Sport in The Waitaki App!