Weather: Temperatures will drop this week with strong winds

Those going to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup this week will need an extra jacket as temperatures drop this week.

Met Service meteorologist April Clarke said the lower half of the country will see showers in the south-east, where showers will fall, and in the south-west, where showers will fall.

According to Clarke, this means a “normal winter setup.” The country should see a surge in temperatures and thundery showers starting tomorrow.

“Those heading to the Football Ferns game in the capital on Tuesday evening should pack a jacket (or two) even if they want to keep themselves warm with the extra support,” Clarke said.

“While it may look dry during the game, cooler temperatures and strong winds will cool conditions in the stadium.”

A switch in the weather system will be well-received after a weekend of torrential rain drenched east Marlborough and Canterbury.

“Persistent southeasterly areas will see 100-250mm of rain across eastern Marlborough and Canterbury this weekend, with significant snow accumulations in the high country,” Clarke said.

Akaroa recorded 245 mm of rain between Friday midnight and Monday morning at 6 am.

Areas of Canterbury were last night told to self-evacuate as river levels rose, forcing several road closures that threatened to isolate communities.

“It will be a relief for these areas to hear that the rain will move north as the winds shift to the southwest today,” Clark said.

Starting tomorrow, the first of the cold fronts caused by the new weather system will bring strong, cold southwesterlies and thundery showers.

In the south, snow is expected to drop to 400-600 meters on Tuesday night, while the North Island could see up to 100 meters of snow next day.

In Auckland and all areas above, wind gusts of up to 120 km/h are possible in open areas on Wednesday. The MetService has issued a strong wind watch for those areas.

By late Tuesday, a large, lingering southwesterly cyclone is expected to hit the east and west coasts.

As the second front moves over the country last Wednesday and Thursday, strong winds and rain are expected in the northern part of the country.