Cold Front Rams New Zealand as Tonga Braces for Second Cyclone
New Zealand braces for the arrival of a cold front that rammed into South Island "like a freight train," leaving 100 km/h winds threatening the eastern part of the country.
Authorities in Hawkes Bay, Canterbury and Wairarapa issued severe weather warning alerts as a result of strong winds. The weather bureau said that the cold front carries cold Antarctic air from south of New Zealand.
According to head WeatherWatch analyst Philip Duncan, daytime highs in mid-January will be below average. Some areas of coastal Southland and Otago may have temperatures of 11 to 13 °C while the cold front blows.
Mr Duncan explained that the cold front may not linger in the country despite its large size. Christchurch is expected to have an average temperature of up to 27 °C on Jan 19 while Dunedin will return to 18 °C.
Mr Duncan said regions further from the south of New Zealand will experience hotter and drier weather.
MetService spokesperson Dan Corbett said the cold front might cause thunderstorms across the eastern regions of the South Island with strong, gusty winds. Mr Corbett predicts the cold front will be moving to Christchurch on the evening of Jan 17 and reach Wellington by midnight.
The cold front has prompted a severe weather warning for Canterbury, Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa where west to northwest gales are expected to move at 120 km/h.
Residents are reminded that winds could cause damage to power lines and trees. Driving may be difficult especially for those on motorcycles.
The arrival of the cold front means cooler temperatures in the south and east sides of New Zealand. Weather forecasts predict dusting of snow on the Southern Alps.
Another Cyclone to Hit Tonga
Meanwhile, a possible cyclone may be brewing, as Tonga recovers from the aftermath of Cyclone Ian. The cyclone is spotted in the Pacific near Solomon Islands. Humanitarian groups in Tonga continue to struggle in getting relief goods to Tonga's outer islands that were damaged by Cyclone Ian.
According to weather forecasters, the second cyclone of the year for the region may hit in a few days. Cyclone Ian hit Tonga only a week before and killed one person with 4,000 more left homeless.
