Aucklanders are being warned to secure outdoor furniture and prepare for short-notice harbour bridge lane closures as an intense low moves down the country.
MetService has issued a 19-hour orange heavy-rain warning for Northland as a subtropical low and preceding fronts move slowly southwards across the top of the country. It came into place at 3pm and will lapse at 10am tomorrow.
Up to 6cm of rain an hour and severe thunderstorms forecast to begin mid-afternoon have prompted warnings of flash flooding and slips across the top of the North Island.
Heavy rain warnings have been issued for the Coromandel with Auckland and the far north of Tairāwhiti under heavy rain watches.
Auckland has also been issued a strong wind watch from 4am until noon on Tuesday, with MetService warning easterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Heavy rain will impact much of the upper North Island, particularly Northland (where it's needed) Tuesday.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 20, 2025
If you're travelling 🚗✈️, be sure to stay on top of the forecast, as well as watches & warnings from @MetService.
E-NE winds means the western NI has warmest temps. pic.twitter.com/Oq94IhWV58
⚠ Severe Weather Warnings and Watches issued 20th January 2025
— MetService (@MetService) January 19, 2025
⚠ Northland and the Coromandel Peninsula have been upgraded to 🟠Heavy Rain Warnings🟠
Full details: https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5@AklCouncil @NRCexpress @OurCoromandel @NZCDEM @nztamain pic.twitter.com/ozcCvFV0BH
The NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) advises caution driving over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and warns of potential short-notice lane closures and reduced speeds for safety.
Crews will be closely monitoring state highways while MetService’s warnings are in place.
“NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is advising all road users to take extreme care, especially high sided vehicles and motorcyclists in the wind and for those who come across any surface flooding, from rising rivers and streams nearby,” NZTA said.
“It’s really important to drive to the conditions, adjust your speed and following distance when you need to and be alert for the possibility of surface flooding or debris on roads.”
The bridge is expected to maintain a 4x4 lane configuration during peak traffic hours tomorrow morning and evening.
Auckland Emergency Management has urged Aucklanders to take action now to prepare for the weather.
Northland’s Civil Defence group has warned people to “keep an eye on the weather and take extra care” ahead of the forecast 19 hours of torrential rain.
An orange heavy rain warning is currently in force for Northland for broad-scale heavy rain along with a severe thunderstorm watch from 11pm Monday to 8am Tuesday.
“Embedded within the rain-band severe thunderstorms may also produce intense localised rainfall of 25-60 mm/h (or possibly more) in some places,” it warned.
“Rainfall of this intensity will cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
“Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.”
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
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