Sub-tropical weather system sparks heavy rain warning

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

An orange warning has been issued for the Gisborne-East Coast district, as another sub-tropical low threatens to deliver more weather woes to the region.

This morning MetService followed up an Easter Weekend advisory with an orange rain warning, with heavy falls for the district from tomorrow to Saturday night.

The heavy rain warning is from 8am tomorrow morning through to 9pm on Saturday.

MetService says 70 millimetres to 120mm is expected in a 24-hour period.

However, the agency says there is uncertainty with the timing of the heaviest rain and there is a possibility that rain accumulations and intensities could be significantly greater.

“It certainly won’t be good news for vulnerable places still recovering from the recent severe rains,” said meteorologist  Mmathapelo Makgabutlane.

The low will also deliver severe south to southeasterly winds to parts of the North Island.

There will be a break after the low moves away on Sunday, and this district should be fine from Sunday afternoon through to Wednesday.

However, a front from the Tasman Sea arrives during the second half of the Easter weekend, delivering more wet weather for most other areas. — RH