Rhythm and thunderstorms: Heavy rain forecast for the North Island; Gisborne set for soaking

Much of New Zealand is forecast to receive a soaking in the run-up to New Year’s Eve, with forecasters suggesting Rhythm and Vines’ attendees pack a waterproof tent.

Gisborne, where 30,000 people began streaming into the festival grounds yesterday, is set to be dampened by heavy rain and possible thunderstorms.

MetService forecaster Michael Pawley said a slow-moving complex front, loaded with moisture, was moving up the South Island and was being followed by a cooler period.

“Tomorrow we are seeing a lot of showers developing in the North Island, some localised downpours and hail are likely for a lot of places,” he said.

“This weather is forecast for much of the eastern, southern and even central regions of the North Island from tomorrow afternoon and evening.

“Marlborough and Nelson are going to be seeing some of that too.”

The hot weather in Auckland is forecast to disappear when thunderstorms roll in for New Year's Eve. Photo / Alex Burton

“In the South Island, we are seeing a lot of that bad weather as well.”

Much of the rain afflicting the country was forecast to persist into New Year’s Eve, Pawley said.

“In the North Island, we have rain in the south and east with heavy falls and occasionally showers elsewhere.

“In the South Island, we have rain in Canterbury and Marlborough with possible heavy falls easing late, and isolated showers in the south and North.

“The place to be would be Westland.”

Pawley said the top half of the North Island was forecast to receive showers tomorrow.

“They don’t have the same risk of thunderstorms and hail in the east, but they will be getting wet too,” he said.

“Auckland does have a chance of some heavy showers from the afternoon tomorrow.”

MetService forecasters have suggested campers at Gisborne's New Year's music festival Rhythm and Vines should bring a waterproof tent to protect against the heavy rain.

Rhythm and Vines attendees received bad news yesterday when beaches in the Gisborne region - including Tolaga Bay, Wainui, Waikanae, and Midway - were declared unsafe for swimming.

However, today the Gisborne District Council announced that nearly all the region’s rivers and beaches have been updated to safe to swim.

“Wainui and beaches up the coast were not affected by any contamination, but due to the heavy rain last week would not have been good for swimming.

“A warning is still in place for city rivers and Waikanae up to Midway, until at least Friday. We advise swimmers to continue to take care and look out for any woody debris.”

Northland’s Northern Bass kicked off today with hundreds of attendees descending on the small settlement of Kaiwaka to camp on a picturesque farm for a true party in a paddock experience to ring in the New Year.

David Williams is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.

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