A warm, mostly fine week is on the cards for Central Otago, but MetService says a risk of afternoon showers is on the forecast. 

Cromwell-raised MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris warns a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in force for Central Otago this afternoon and evening (Tuesday). 

The forecast indicates a “few afternoon and early evening showers, possibly heavy and thundery with hail. Light winds”.

“We issue a Watch when the conditions for severe convection are expected and if we spot a severe thunderstorm on the radar then a warning will be issued,” he says. 

“Basically a watch means we have the ingredients for severe thunderstorms, a warning means we are having severe thunderstorms right now.

“The thunderstorms are unlikely to be everywhere so there’s a chance not everyone will see them but it’s worth keeping an eye on the radar, especially if you are heading out.”

Central Otago is in for a warm, mostly fine week with a chance of afternoon showers. Courtesy MetService. 

Tomorrow won’t be too much different, according to Lewis, with the forecast similar to Tuesday’s. 

“Wednesday also starts off settled but the risk of heavy showers or even thunderstorms rolls around in the afternoon and evening,” Lewis says. 

Thursday and Friday are looking fine but with the risk of isolated afternoon showers. 

“A front is forecast to pass over the region this weekend, bringing some stronger northwesterly winds and a brief period of rain.

“Temperatures run well above average to close out the month.”

Lewis says the thunderstorm ingredients are present, such as a warm and humid at surface level, relatively cold above the ground (7km above) and light winds, which crucially means local converging winds (forces the surface air up).

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