Authorities are warning of an extreme fire risk, extreme UV levels and strong winds gusting up to 150km/h around New Zealand this weekend.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has urged people to avoid activities that can generate heat or sparks and cause fires – especially during high-risk times such as in the heat of the middle of the day or when it’s windy – as it has the potential to start a “devastating wildfire”.
“And let’s face it – nobody wants to be that person,” said Fire and Emergency.
Niwa meteorologist Chris Brandolino says warm to hot temperatures return this weekend, with highs in the upper 20C and 30Cs across parts of the South Island, including Canterbury and Otago.
Eastern parts of the North Island would also get temperatures in the high-20s to start the weekend.
Generally settled weather is forecast for the start of the weekend ☀
— MetService (@MetService) December 6, 2024
However, a blustery severe weather system moves up the country on Sunday and a burst of very heavy rain is forecast for parts of Westland.
Get more details at https://t.co/hnwmGxCYeR pic.twitter.com/vFKerUR8uG
Bradolino said UV levels would be extreme and urged people not to forget sunscreen.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said most areas of the country would enjoy fine weather today.
This will be good news for those lucky enough to snag tickets to the sold-out clash between Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix at Go Media Stadium, with dry conditions and a high of 22C expected.
Makgabutlane said temperatures would return to average briefly this weekend after a week of muggy days with highs as much as 8C above average in some areas.
“This respite will be welcome news for those who’ve struggled through the muggy nights. However, by Sunday, the heat looks set to ramp up again in Hawke’s Bay.”
Time for a weekend weather update, where it will be a tale of two halves.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) December 6, 2024
👍 Saturday: Dry almost everywhere, with light winds and comfortable temperatures.
👎 Sunday: Heavy rain for the West Coast with strong winds across the South Island and lower North Island. pic.twitter.com/NHrg8RVHAR
Meanwhile, MetService meteorologist John Law has warned wild weather would round out the weekend for the South Island and lower parts of the North Island.
In the Canterbury High Country, severe gales are expected to ramp up to a destructive 150km/h.
An orange strong wind warning has been issued for Wellington and Wairarapa, with residents being told to prepare for severe northwest gales gusting 140km/h in exposed places later tomorrow.
MetService is warning that strong gusts might damage trees and powerlines and make driving difficult for high-sided vehicles and motorbikes.
MetService forecaster Gerard Bellam said bowlers on the third day of the Black Caps’ test match would face a difficult time battling the strong northwesterly winds coming into the capital.
Sunday is shaping up to be one of the windier days we’ve had in a while as strong northwesterlies cover the country💨💨
— MetService (@MetService) December 6, 2024
Gusts of 150 km/h are possible in parts of the Canterbury High Country and 140km/h in areas in Wellington. Watches and Orange Warnings in place🟠🟡 pic.twitter.com/1xMZ7U1h8d
An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for the Westland District from 4am on Sunday. Residents are being told to expect 250 to 300mm of rain about the ranges and 100 to 150mm nearer the coast.
A heavy rain watch has been issued for the Grey and Buller Districts, the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers and Fiordland for tomorrow.
A strong wind watch has been issued for the Canterbury plains, Banks Peninsula, Otago, Southland, Stewart Island, Fiordland, Wairarapa and Marlborough for tomorrow also.
Fire and Emergency wildfire manager Tim Mitchell said over the next week, fire restrictions will be tightened across the country as fire risk spikes in many areas.
Further restrictions will come into effect for Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay from today, and there are likely to be others in Northland, Wairarapa, Canterbury and mid-South Canterbury.
“These follow a raft of fire season changes that we’ve put in place this week in the Hauraki Gulf, Wairarapa, Bay of Plenty, Nelson-Marlborough and Otago,” Mitchell said.
“The fires in Canterbury and Otago over the last couple of days paint a grim picture of what we will see in the drier parts of the country if people don’t take care with fires or spark-making activity.
“Right now, high temperatures, low humidity and dry winds are drying out the country, and we’re already seeing more wildfires – from the Far North to Invercargill.”
Mitchell said stronger winds starting tomorrow would drive up the fire danger level on eastern areas of the South Island and lower North Island.
“And Monday is flagged as being extremely high risk around the country – particularly in Northland, Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury.”
He said people should avoid activities that can generate heat or sparks and cause fires, such as mowing lawns, welding or grinding and using vehicles in long dry grass.
The warning comes as an approximately 980ha blaze in Canterbury continues to burn this morning, ahead of increased winds and temperatures this afternoon.
“Firefighters are looking to make the most of favourable weather conditions this morning to contain the fire at Bridge Hill,” incident commander Colin Russell said just before 9am, with winds still light.
That would involve 110 people, supported by three heavy machines and five helicopters.
“This afternoon the wind is forecast to strengthen, and temperatures will be in the mid to high 20s. This will be less favourable conditions for getting this fire contained and the risk of breakouts will be higher so we will be closely monitoring the fire.”
Incident commander Brian Keown said last night fire crews were close to containing the Bridge Hill fire, and hoped to have this done before the extreme fire danger day tomorrow.
The fire remained 980 hectares in size with a 17-kilometre perimeter, Russell said this morning.
No buildings were lost to fire overnight. or were at risk from fire.
SH73 was open under traffic restrictions, with piloted convoys through the affected area, he said.
“We’d like to thank all the road users for their patience and adhering to the traffic restrictions in place.
“It’s meant we can keep the road open in a safe manner so people can continue to pass through.”
Keown said yesterday an increase in ground crews would be seen today, with a decrease in aerial support to five helicopters.
“There will be more work to do on the ground tomorrow than from the air.
“All structures in the fire ground have retardant lines laid around the properties so at this stage we do not require the fixed-wing aircraft to be operating, but they are still available should we need them,” Keown said.
He thanked all firefighters and support staff for their efforts on the fire so far, and for locals and visitors to the area for their patience.
“Our team have put in a lot of hard work to get [to] this point with the fire.
“The local community have also been a great assistance by enacting their emergency plans, and as we know SH73 is an important road, so we thank the public for their patience both while the road was closed and for the controlled access once it was reopened.”
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