chad

What's the present weather like in both the North and South Islands?Is there heavy rain? Would it be more advisable to bring a rain coat or umbrella?Where can we buy raincoats in New Zealand?Are there days now when t-shirts and shorts would be sufficient?

Kerry

Hi Chad<BR>The weather at present? If you search and check my response to the same question on this board &quot;Weather in November&quot; you will get a full description. As to the immediate situation it is exactly as I described - a series of south westerly fronts bring cold weather with snow tonight in the south of the South Island down to 500 metres. Other parts of the country strong winds. In the North Island it depends on where you are in the Bay of Plenty we will have an overnight low of 9 degees C and a daytime max of 17 degrees C, there will be scattered showers and odd sunny spells - typical Spring weather.<BR>To your specific questions:<BR>1.

Kerry

Hi Chad<BR>The weather at present? If you search and check my response to the same question on this board &quot;Weather in November&quot; you will get a full description. As to the immediate situation it is exactly as I described - a series of south westerly fronts bring cold weather with snow tonight in the south of the South Island down to 500 metres. Other parts of the country strong winds. In the North Island it depends on where you are in the Bay of Plenty we will have an overnight low of 9 degees C and a daytime max of 17 degrees C, there will be scattered showers and odd sunny spells - typical Spring weather.<BR>To your specific questions:<BR>1.

Kerry

Chad <BR>Sorry - my flying fingers hit the wrong key! <BR>Your specific questions:<BR>1. At this time of the year we generally don't have heavy rain. It tends to be light showery weather.<BR>2. I would bring a waterproof parka or a rain coat.<BR>3. There are loads of places to buy rain coats. The Warehouse is our equivalent of Walmart and they have cheap clothing. You can also get the Dryazadone type of stockman's coats that are a real fashion statement.<BR>4. Sure there are days at this time of the year when teeshirts and shorts would suffice in the day time (I have been in teeshirt and shorts all day today) but at night, especially in the South Island, where the overnight temperature can drop to 4 to 8 degrees C then you you need a bit more clothing!<BR>See my other posting for clothing details.<BR><BR>What day do you arrive as I will arrange a spell of really great weather!<BR>Regards<BR>Kerry

Kerry

Hi Chad<BR>I should have added that rather than take my word you can find out just how bad the weather is going to be tomorrow by looking up http://xtra.co.nz/weather.<BR><BR>I see they have now got the snow in the South island down to 400 metres! But in the Bay of Plenty the sun is going to shine - on Wednesday!<BR><BR>Kerry

Christa

Hi Chad,<BR>NZ weather is tricky to forecast at the best of times but this year it has been all over the place.<BR>I live in the North Island's east coast and we have been having warm blustery nor-westers and hot weather ( definately t-shirts and shorts but the South Island is bracing for a southerly blast and snow in places.<BR>Tonights TV weather pointed out that yesterday in Christchurch it was 25c and tommorrow the forecast high is 15c.<BR><BR>Last week I visited the top of the South Island and Wellington.<BR>I left Gisborne's hot weather in light clothes and t-shirt, got off the plane in Wellington to a freezing cold southerly gales.<BR><BR>Went across Cook Strait and spent a couple of days in T-shirts again, back to the cold windy Wellington and arrived back in Gisborne to hot, summery conditions.<BR><BR>Best advice, pack for all weather conditions, don't forget to pack your swimsuit as when it's hot, it's hot.