Strong winds in Auckland ahead of weather event later today.
Video / Alex Robertson
MetService is predicting heavy rain and gales across many regions today and tomorrow.
Niwa describes the current weather pattern as an “atmospheric river” affecting the country.
Warnings have been issued for potential flooding and hazardous driving conditions in affected areas.
Strong winds in Auckland caused a yacht to break free from its moorings and bash against the rocks on the waterfront.
Strong winds have battered Auckland today as part of a weak atmospheric river washing across much of New Zealand today and tomorrow, with some parts set to see 15 hours of non-stop rain.
There are already heavy rain warnings for parts of the South Island, and heavy rain and strong wind watches are in place for Wellington’s Tararua Range and Remutaka Hill Rd, as well as Mount Taranaki, while the wind has picked up in Auckland ahead of forecast rain overnight.
MetService predicted a burst of heavy rain and northerly gales from the west over Sunday and Monday.
With El Niño in charge & cooler ocean water in the Southwest Pacific, atmospheric rivers (ARs) have made landfall infrequently in New Zealand this year.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) called this weather system an “atmospheric river”washing down from tropical regions that will bring a large dump of rain to the motu.
Heavy rain is forecast for the Nelson and Tasman districts from early today until early tomorrow morning.
Residents should expect between 90-170mm of rain all day, with peak rates of 15-25mm/h this afternoon.
Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous, MetService said.
A heavy rain warning is also forecast for the eastern Bay of Plenty for 12 hours starting from 11pm.
Severe Weather Watches and Warnings 🟠🟡🌧💨 An active front, preceded by a strong and moist northerly flow, is expected to move over New Zealand from the west during Sunday and Monday, followed by a broad trough of low pressure. These weather systems are forecast to bring a… pic.twitter.com/8Dc1gjlqO3
A strong wind watch is forecast for the lower North Island, including the capital, for 15 hours starting from 3pm, and another strong wind watch is forecast in the west of the North Island from 8pm.
Auckland looked set to miss most of the bad rain today and tomorrow.
MetService meteorologist Alwyn Bakker said patchy drizzle was forecast to turn to rain this evening and overnight.
However, the wet weather would ease in the morning and be gone by tomorrow afternoon, he said.
A boat has broken its moorings in the stormy weather and washed up on the breakwater along Tāmaki Drive on Auckland's waterfront. Photo / Alex Burton
Bakker said temperature-wise, today and tomorrow would be quite warm for Tāmaki Makaurau.
“Tomorrow, we’re expecting a high of 20C, while the overnight minimum for tonight would be 15C.”
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough said MetService was predicting heavy rain between Upper Tākaka and Collingwood and urged drivers to take care.
“Please remember to switch on your lights, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards.”
MetService is predicting heavy rain between Upper Takaka and Collingwood from today, Sat 8, until tomorrow, Sun 9 Jun. Please remember to switch on your lights, increase your following distance & be prepared for unexpected hazards. ^EH https://t.co/OHxCZk69vC
— NZ Transport Agency - Nelson, Tasman & Marlborough (@nztantm) June 7, 2024
Residents of the South Island’s West Coast are forecast to see between 120-150mm of heavy rain from 8am to 11pm tonight, with peak rates of 12-25mm/h this afternoon and thunderstorms possible.
MetService has also issued road snowfall warnings for Milford Rd and the Crown Range Rd.
Approximately 5-10cm of snow is set to fall on Milford Rd and an expected 1-3cm is set to fall on the Crown Range Rd between 10pm tomorrow to 3am on Tuesday.
Earlier this week, MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said a weather system would arrive from the northwest, bringing warm, moist air to the country, with the risk of severe weather.
“All the North Island and much of the South Island are expected to experience at least some wet weather as it moves across. Mountainous areas are likely to see the heaviest rain, but other regions could also be affected.”
Makgabutlane said the approaching system would also bring strong northerly winds.
“Areas such as Wellington, Marlborough, inland Canterbury, and the mountainous regions of the North Island could experience the strongest winds on Sunday and Monday.”
She said temperatures would also reflect the change in weather.
Sunday night into Monday morning would see many places with double-digit minimum temperatures, significantly higher than the seasonal norm, Makgabutlane said.
“Daytime temperatures will also feel unseasonably warm. Napier and Hastings are projected to reach 22C on Monday, due largely to strong northwesterly winds rather than abundant sunshine.”
