Severe weather update with MetService head of weather news Heather Keats. Video / Michael Craig, MetService
Strong wind and heavy rain alerts have been issued for northern regions, including Northland.
Auckland has faced a heavy rain watch since 6am, with possible thunderstorms and localised downpours.
Conditions are expected to improve over the weekend, with fine and mild weather forecast.
Severe thunderstorm alerts have been issued for the top half of the North Island, including Auckland, with downpours bringing a threat of flooding and slips.
Strong wind and heavy rain alerts are also in place for storm-battered regions today, while there are slip concerns in the south.
Blustery northeastwinds and widespread rainfall across much of the North Island as top of the country experiences a significant shift in weather.
MetService issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taranaki this morning, alongside an existing alert for Northland, lasting until 11pm.
You can see why @MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for much of Auckland & Northland.
Some areas are likely to experience very heavy rain for a time this afternoon, which may cause localised flash flooding. Threat for localised high wind also exists. https://t.co/lf4GUEeBrHpic.twitter.com/WEiYLMKQhA
“There is a moderate risk of localised downpours of 25 to 40mm/h,” MetService said.
“Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.”
Council civil defence teams across the upper North Island are on high alert as they brace for the approaching stormy weather.
State of emergency extended
Meanwhile, Christchurch City Council controller Helen White said the state of emergency in Banks Peninsula had been extended in preparation for the rain forecast today and while the land remained saturated.
There was potential for more slips. “We also know that rain may impact the slip at Lighthouse Rd.”
Monitoring equipment would enable the council to make more informed decisions for residents in the primary and secondary evacuation zones, White said.
Meanwhile, Aucklanders have endured a sodden commute this morning. A heavy rain watch remains in place until 6pm, with possible thunderstorms throughout the day.
MetService forecaster Mmathapelo Makgabutlane told the Herald “the wettest of that rain looks like it’s more like mid-morning to the middle of the day, maybe into early afternoon” for Auckland.
“Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria and possibly exceed them about isolated areas, especially in localised downpours,” MetService reported on its website.
Makgabutlane said today “looks like a pretty wet day for many parts of the North Island. I‘d say as the day goes on, things become wetter”.
The rain forecast map for 9am today. Image / MetService
“Thunderstorms look possible, especially for places like Northland, and then down the western part of the South Island as well, especially in the morning,” she said.
“The main thing to highlight is the possibility of downpours, those short periods where the rainfall becomes quite intense and dumps quite a lot of rain in a very short space of time.”
This could cause surface flooding, she said.
The state of emergency for Banks Peninsula will be reassessed tomorrow.
MetService is encouraging people to keep a close eye on the forecast as things develop.
The following severe weather alerts have been issued for the next 24-36 hours:
Northland. 3am-5pm Friday. Northland could expect up to 150mm of rain in localised areas, especially in downpours and possible thunderstorms. A severe thunderstorm watch is also in force for the region.
Bay of Plenty about and east of Whakatāne and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Ruatoria. 3pm Friday to 3am Saturday.Expect 100-140mm of rain, mainly about the ranges.
Tongariro National Park. 8am-8pm Friday. Expect 80-120mm of rain.
Mount Taranaki/Taranaki Maunga. Midnight Thursday to 3pm Friday. Expect 150-250mm of rain.
Westland District ranges. 9am Thursday to 6am Friday. Expect 140-180mm of rain in addition to what has already fallen.
Headwaters of South Canterbury lakes and rivers. 10pm Thursday to 7am Friday. Expect 100-130mm of rain about the Main Divide and 70-100mm within 15km further east. Peak rates of 15-25mm/h are expected about the divide.
Things set to clear for Mother’s Day weekend
Despite the unsettled end to the week, conditions are forecast to improve over the weekend with fine and mild weather expected across most of the country.
Makgabutlane said the bad weather was “looking fairly relatively short-lived, so by Saturday morning all this weather looks like it’s cleared off the country and the weekend is looking pretty good”.
MetService said Mother’s Day was shaping up to be settled and sunny for most, though some regions might see morning cloud or fog.
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