Severe Weather Warnings For NZ

Heavy rain over northern and eastern parts of both islands for the next few days. Damaging gales for northern New Zealand this evening (Tuesday).
Note, this re-issue of the warning extends the risk of damaging easterly gales to include eastern Waikato, all other areas unchanged.

A large complex trough lying slow moving to the west of New Zealand directs a moist northeast flow over northern and central parts of the country. A deep low embedded within this trough is expected to move south over the upper North Island overnight tonight (Tuesday to Wednesday), moving the rain-band slowly south over the North Island east coast during Wednesday.

Rain is expected to persist about northern parts of the North Island and northeastern parts of the South Island today and part of Wednesday, before spreading over eastern parts of the North Island during Wednesday and Thursday. The heaviest falls are expected about Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, western Bay of Plenty, Marlborough and areas of the Canterbury High Country and foothills during today and early Wednesday. The heaviest falls are then expected about the Hawkes Bay and Gisborne Ranges during Wednesday and Thursday, where up to 250mm is expected to accumulate over a 48 hour period.

People are advised that these rainfalls can cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly, surface flooding, slips and make driving conditions hazardous.

Additionally, the low moving south over the upper North Island tonight, is expected to bring a period of damaging east to northeast gales with gusts of 120 km/h or possibly more to parts of Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and eastern Waikato, with westerly gales behind the low affecting parts of Northland.

These winds are potentially damaging and could bring down trees, damage powerlines and unsecured structures.

HEAVY RAIN WARNING
AREA/S AFFECTED

Northland
FORECAST
Heavy rain is expected to ease this evening (Tuesday). In the 12 to 16 hours from 8am to 8pm today north of Kaikohe, but to midnight farther south, expect a further 80 to 120mm to accumulate on top of what has already fallen. Maximum rainfall rates mostly 15 to 20 mm/hr, but chance of 25 to 30mm/hr at times in localised areas.

AREA/S AFFECTED
Auckland
FORECAST
Periods of heavy rain are expected to ease early Wednesday morning. In the 22 hours from 8am today until 6am Wednesday expect a further 60 to 100mm to accumulate on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities mostly 10 to 15 mm/hr, but may reach 25 to 30mm/hr in localised areas overnight tonight.

AREA/S AFFECTED
Coromandel Peninsula
FORECAST
Periods of heavy rain are expected to ease Wednesday morning. In the 28 hours from 8am today until midday Wednesday expect a further 100 to 150mm to accumulate on top of what has already fallen. Peak rainfall rates mostly 15 to 20mm/hr, but could rise to 25 to 30mm/hr in possible thunderstorms overnight tonight.

AREA/S AFFECTED
Western Bay of Plenty including Rotorua
FORECAST
Periods of heavy rain are expected to become more persistent for a time tonight and early Wednesday morning. In the 40 hours from 8am today until midnight Wednesday expect 100 to 200mm to accumulate about the ranges, with 100 to 150mm elsewhere. Peak intensities mostly 10 to 15mm per hour, but may rise to 25 to 30mm/hr in possible thunderstorms early Wednesday morning.

AREA/S AFFECTED
Mount Taranaki
FORECAST
Periods of heavy rain are expected to ease by this evening (Tuesday). In the 9 hours from 8am to 5pm today expect 50 to 90mm to accumulate, especially about higher slopes. Maximum rainfall intensities 10 to 15mm/hr.

AREA/S AFFECTED
Gisborne and Hawkes Bay
FORECAST
A prolonged period of persistent rain is expected from Wednesday morning until Friday morning. In the 48 hours from 6am Wednesday to 6am Friday, expect 200 to 250mm to accumulate about the ranges, with 100 to 150mm elsewhere. Peak intensities mostly 10 to 15mm/hr, but 15 to 20mm/hr are possible at times in localised areas.

AREA/S AFFECTED
Nelson
FORECAST
Persistent northeasterly rain, heavy about the ranges, is expected to ease late Tuesday. In the 12 hours from 8am to 8pm today expect a further 60mm to 90mm to accumulate about the western ranges and about 30 to 60mm in other areas. Peak rainfall rates 10 to 15mm/hr about the western ranges.

FREEZING LEVEL: About 2200 metres.

AREA/S AFFECTED
Ranges of Marlborough and the Kaikoura Coast
FORECAST
Rain, with some heavy falls is expected to persist through until Wednesday morning. In the 24 hours from 8am today to 8am Wednesday, expect another 80 to 120mm to accumulate on top of what has already fallen. Rainfall rates 10 to 15mm/hr at times.

FREEZING LEVEL: About 2200 metres.

AREA/S AFFECTED
Canterbury High Country areas and the foothills
FORECAST
Persistent rain is expected to ease tonight (Tuesday). In the 16 hours from 8am to midnight tonight expect another 40 to 60mm to accumulate on what has already fallen. Maximum rainfall intensities 10-15mm/hr easing this evening.

Note: During the same period 20 to 30mm could accumulate in areas nearer the coast, including Christchurch.

FREEZING LEVEL: About 2100 metres.

STRONG WIND WARNING
AREA/S AFFECTED
Northland
FORECAST
A deepening low is expected to pass southwards over Northland tonight; ahead of the low east to northeast winds are expected to rise to severe gale from late afternoon (Tuesday), with gusts 120 km/h, until just after midnight. Also, a period of westerly gales are likely over much of Northland behind this low, with gusts 120km/h possible this evening or tonight

AREA/S AFFECTED
Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula
FORECAST
East to northeast winds are expected to rise to gale early Tuesday afternoon, with gusts 130 km/h from 8pm Tuesday to 6am Wednesday.

AREA/S AFFECTED
Eastern Waikato, in the lee of the Kaimai Range
FORECAST
Easterly winds are expected to rise to severe gale gusting 120km/h from late evening (Tuesday) until early Wednesday morning.

Source: Metservice