January weather outlook: dry on North Island, urged to reduce water use

Climate experts say the new year will bring dry conditions to the North Island, in particular, and will not favor Auckland’s current water crisis.

WeatherWatch has released its ClimateWatch report for January; showing that La Niña systems become more obvious on your weather maps, but that the “stubborn” high pressure on the North Island will not change much.

“For Auckland, it seems drier than wet,” said a spokesman.

“While some large rain generators appear to be nearby, that persistent high pressure belt to the east may well stop (or limit) the amount of rain reaching the Hunua Ranges, where much of Auckland’s drinking water is stored.” .

At least two significant rainfall events still need to happen to begin to make up for the drier-than-normal two years in a row we’ve had, WeatherWatch said.

However, there would be some patches of La Niña rains coming from Australia throughout the summer.

Although that would have a “moderate impact” on southern New Zealand, the North Island would remain drier than it should.

“AND [it] it can continue in this way until January. “

It is critical that Auckland residents reduce their water use

With the weather forecast comes a renewed call from experts to local officials to continue to encourage people to reduce their water use, in light of the current water crisis in the city.

“Auckland residents should be encouraged to reduce their water use once again, with no sign of significant rain in the next two weeks, unless a storm or afternoon downpour crosses the Hunua mountain ranges.”

WeatherWatch said officials, Auckland City Council and Watercare, needed to get the message out again about reducing water use at this “critical” time.

A good day is forecast in Auckland today, although there is a chance of a couple of showers this afternoon and evening. Light winds are also expected in the City of Sails.

Anyone who got up just before sunrise enjoyed a dazzling view, as the sky was full of wisps of orange and soft pinks.

A maximum of 24 ° C and a minimum of 15 ° C are forecast.

The same temperature highs are forecast to be welcomed in 2021 tomorrow.

The MetService says conditions will be fine in Auckland tomorrow. But the day will get more and more cloudy at night. Breezes from the west are also expected.

Severe Weather Warnings

The MetService says that it is possible for it to rain heavily in the eastern Otago areas from tomorrow through the weekend.

“A low is expected to slow to the west of southern New Zealand on Friday, bringing rain to the southern South Island during (tomorrow) and Saturday,” a statement said.

“In the eastern areas of Otago, rain is combining with an easterly flow on land and accumulations can meet or exceed warning thresholds.”

Those in northern Otago, Dunedin, and Clutha, from Balclutha north, should know that there is a heavy rain watch from 9 a.m. to early Sunday (3 a.m.).

Rain is expected to increase throughout tomorrow and is likely to increase at times throughout Saturday.

Locals are warned that rainfall accumulations over the next two days may meet or exceed the lower warning thresholds for those areas – 40mm accumulated in 12 hours, the MetService said this morning.

“There is a possibility that the risk of major rains in these areas will increase.

“This watch may need to be updated to a warning in a later edition,” MetService said, so locals are advised to keep an eye out for weather updates.

Another update on the severe weather situation will be released tonight, around 9pm

There are currently no snowfall warnings on the road.