Watches and warnings issued as south-west blast imminent

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The weather is once again about to take a turn for the worse, with a cold, south-west blast forecast to hit the district mid-week.

MetService has issued a number of watches and warnings, with a cold and strong south-west

flow predicted to spread northwards over the country on Wednesday.

For the Tairāwhiti Gisborne region and northern Hawke’s Bay there is low confidence that severe gale south-westerlies will affect coastal areas on Wednesday

and Thursday.

MetService says there is also low confidence that a rain warning will be needed in these areas, most likely inland.

The southwest flow should ease over the country during Thursday and Friday as a large high over the Tasman Sea moves on to New Zealand for the weekend.

The forecast for Wednesday is for showers developing in the morning, easing in the afternoon, but with strong north-westerlies, turning to southerlies in the afternoon.

Thursday’s forecast is for cloudy periods, with a few showers and the strong south-westerlies easing in the evening. — RH