The North Island is bracing for a raft of severe thunderstorms forecast to bring wet and wild weather from this afternoon.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says the North Island is set to be the focal point of the week, with intermittent showers forecast.
“Most regions will experience a shower or two, especially in the early part of the week. Tuesday, in particular, seems poised for wet weather in eastern areas like Tairāwhiti/Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, although not as intense as recent weeks,” Makgabutlane said.
Monday's emojicast:
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) December 3, 2023
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MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Taihape and Wanganui regions which came into effect at 2pm this afternoon.
Localised heavy rain and hail is set to accompany these regions.
“There is a moderate risk some of the thunderstorms could become severe, producing localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h,” MetService said.
The watch will remain in effect until 9pm tonight.
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.
⚡️Thunderstorms might be laced into the showers over the North Island this afternoon, bringing heavy downpours for some
— MetService (@MetService) December 3, 2023
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for areas potentially affected pic.twitter.com/dHTcsN9lbN
An earlier severe thunderstorm detected by the MetService weather radar moving to the east southeast and forecast to lie near Desert Road and the Kaimanawa Mountains in the Taupo, Ruapehu and Rangitikei areas has been lifted.
The National Emergency Management Agency advises that as storms approach you should:
During and after the storm, you should also:
Interesting weather near Christchurch: Winds from various directions are teaming up and converging. Looks like some places might be in for bouts of heavier showers☔️
— MetService (@MetService) December 3, 2023
Keep an eye on the Rain Radar at https://t.co/1rQfBndYNY pic.twitter.com/kX30bLdNbl
MetService says thunderstorms are anticipated to resume on Tuesday, with Auckland and Northland likely to experience increased shower activity.
Looking ahead, while Thursday and Friday appear more settled under a ridge of high pressure, warm daytime temperatures may spur afternoon shower activity.
“In the eastern South Island, a temperature dip today will be followed by a recovery on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach the low to mid-20s once again,” said Makgabutlane.
In the South Island, a ridge of high-pressure is punctuated by a frontal weather system on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing wet weather to the west and brief showers to lower and eastern parts.
A sunnier outlook is anticipated as the system moves off, providing ample sunshine in time for the end of the working week.
Beyond New Zealand shores, a Tropical Low near the Solomon Islands is expected to intensify into a Tropical Cyclone later this week.
“Impacts to Australia’s East Coast are expected and MetService forecasters are keeping a close eye on the path of the cyclone, especially once it moves away from Australia’s coast,” said MetService.
The third tropical cyclone of the season in the South Pacific may form near the Solomon Islands this week 🌀
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) December 3, 2023
Closer to New Zealand, after some unsettled conditions to start the week, high pressure will gain the upper hand with warm conditions & northwest winds by next weekend. pic.twitter.com/cbcfQi8Tlw
The season has already brought two severe tropical cyclones: Mal, which reached category 3 strength in mid-November, and last month’s Lola, which briefly became a category 5 system before its remnants caused widespread flooding and power cuts across the upper North Island.
“There’s no indication that we’ll get a tropical cyclone coming toward New Zealand at this stage, but we are flagging a moderate risk of a tropical cyclone, somewhere around that area, from around the middle of the week,” said meteorologist Stephen Glassey.