Severe thunderstorms and downpours are expected to lash the North Island today, along with gales up to 120km/h and possible flash flooding. Photo / MetService
Severe thunderstorms and downpours are expected to lash the North Island today, along with gales up to 120km/h and possible flash flooding. Photo / MetService
Severe weather warnings include potential thunderstorms, 120km/h gales, and heavy rain across several regions.
Auckland and Northland are under a severe thunderstorm warning.
There are also heavy rain warnings for Buller and Taranaki Maunga (Mt Taranaki), with up to 200mm of rain expected in some areas.
Severe thunderstorms and downpours are expected to lash the North Island today, along with gales up to 120km/h and possible flash flooding.
MetService has forecast heavy rain and strong northwest winds as an active low-pressure system moves east across the South Island early this morning and an associated front moves across the North Island today.
From this afternoon, parts of the North Island may experience short periods of heavy rain or downpours – with or without accompanying thunderstorms.
Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula and Aotea Great Barrier Island were put under a severe thunderstorm watch this morning.
MetService also issued an orange heavy rain warning for the Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki, where up to 90mm of rain was expected over 11 hours from 7pm tonight. The forecaster said there was a chance this could be upgraded to a red warning.
For Northland and Auckland between 5pm today and 5am Monday, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms.
Localised downpours could generate rainfall rates of 25-40mm per hour.
“Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips,” MetService said.
“Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.”
Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula are at risk of thunderstorms between 9pm today and 9am tomorrow.
MetService also warned of flash flooding and slips creating hazardous driving conditions.
Marlborough and Wellington are under an orange strong wind warning.
Both regions could expect damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures.
MetService said driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Both areas can expect to see severe gale northwest winds gusting up to 120km/h in exposed places.
Marlborough’s warning was expected to end this morning and Wellington’s at noon.
The regions under an orange heavy rain warning include Buller, the ranges of Tasman northwest of Motueka, the Tararua Range and Taranaki Maunga [Mt Taranaki].
Some areas can expect to see 150 to 200mm of rain while they are under the warning.
A southerly change arriving in the deep south around midday will bring an end to the relatively mild temperatures enjoyed across parts of the country this week.
Road snowfall warnings have been issued for Porters Pass and Arthur’s Pass (State Highway 73) for between 11pm today and 7am tomorrow with 2cm of snow expected to settle above 800m.
MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti said, “It’ll be colder than what we’ve seen [this week], but nothing out of the ordinary for the time of year.”
Temperatures in Dunedin and Christchurch are expected to fall from forecast highs of 20C yesterday to 12C and 14C respectively today, with Wellington a comparatively mild 18C.
Most North Islanders could expect a rainy albeit mild Sunday, with temperatures around 20C for Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Whangārei and Palmerston North.
Only those in the east would be spared the dreary weather that’s not set to ease until Monday, he said.
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