Alerts have been issued as heavy rain and strong winds return to parts of the North Island, with bad weather forecast to begin later today.
NZTA Waka Kotahi was urging drivers to be extra cautious as MetService issued orange heavy rain warnings for the Coromandel Peninsula and Northland.
MetService warned of strengthening easterly winds, heavy rain and the potential for thunderstorms from this afternoon into Tuesday.
A subtropical low and preceding fronts would be moving south across northern parts of the North Island until Wednesday morning, bringing easterly gales and periods of heavy rain.
Rain was also expected to spread into the Gisborne region with periods of heavy rain expected north of Tolaga Bay tomorrow.
The heaviest rain is forecast for the northern and eastern areas of Northland. An orange heavy rain warning and severe thunderstorm watch covered the region from later today.
The orange warning applied from 3pm while the thunderstorm watch was in place from 11pm.
Rainfall totals of 90-120mm were possible overnight with warnings of possible “intense bursts of rain and thunderstorms,” according to MetService, but there was a low chance of an upgrade to a red warning.
‘Moderate’ chance Auckland’s rain alert to be upgraded
Weather watches also covered the Auckland region, including Great Barrier Island, as rain spread over the area on Tuesday, accompanied by strong easterly winds, “which may reach severe gale force in exposed parts of the region.”
There was a moderate chance that Auckland’s heavy rain watch, in force from 4am to 4pm tomorrow, would be upgraded to an orange warning, according to MetService.
But an orange heavy rain warning was issued for the Coromandel Peninsula from 6am to 9pm tomorrow, where rain was expected to feed in from the east.
MetService meteorologist John Law said Northlanders could be in for especially heavy rain, after it had been a “dry but cool start” to the new year.
Northlanders face possible heavy bursts of rain
Law said: “The potential for intense downpours and thunderstorms within the broader rain band means some areas, especially in Northland, could experience significant rainfall in a short period.
“The strongest winds and wettest weather will affect areas exposed to the east. For Auckland, the heaviest rain is likely to fall north of Orewa, while the strongest winds will impact the eastern coast.”
Strong wind watches have been issued for Auckland, Northland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula, with easterly winds possibly approaching severe gale force in exposed areas.
A heavy rain watch has also been issued for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti about and north of Tolaga Bay from 3pm Tuesday until 9am Wednesday.
Transport agency warns of ‘extreme care’ required
NZTA Waka Kotahi urged drivers travelling throughout Auckland and Northland to be extra cautious over the next 24 hours with heavy rain and wind warnings in place.
It warned of short-notice closures should conditions deteriorate.
A spokesperson for the agency said all road users would need to take “extreme care”, especially high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists in the wind and “for those who come across any surface flooding, from rising rivers and streams nearby.
“It’s really important to drive to the conditions, adjust your speed and following distance when you need to and be alert for the possibility of surface flooding or debris on roads.
“Please stay alert when approaching road works where crews may still be work.
“Other areas which may not have crews currently working may still have temporary traffic management or speed limits in place – please adhere to those speed limits.”
A strong wind warning has been put in place for the Auckland Harbour Bridge over the next 24-48 hours with the possibility of 75-85km/h winds in the area between 10am and 4pm on Tuesday.
Bridge users were urged to be careful when driving and to be prepared for the possibility of short-notice lane closures and reduced speeds.
“NZTA expects the bridge to remain in 4 x 4 lane configuration during the peak traffic hours tomorrow morning and evening.”
