Heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds are expected for much of the North Island tomorrow and Thursday, with several warnings issued for multiple regions.
According to MetService, an active low-pressure system was expected to move onto central and northern New Zealand tomorrow before moving east on Thursday.
“The system is expected to bring heavy rain with thunderstorms and strong winds,” MetService said.
An orange rain warning had been issued for the entire Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua, lasting 22 hours from 2am to midnight tomorrow.
Residents could expect 80 to 120mm of rain with peak intensities of 15 to 25 mm/h, possibly 25 to 40 mm/h in localised areas. Thunderstorms and downpours are possible and there is a “low chance” that the warning will be upgraded to red.
“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible,” MetService said.
Heavy rain watches for tomorrow and Thursday were also issued for Auckland, Waikato (north and east of Huntly), Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō (including Tongariro National Park), Taranaki, Wairarapa, and eastern Wellington.
Strong wind watches for Thursday were issued for Wellington, the Kapiti Coast, Wairarapa, Northland, Auckland (including Great Barrier Island), Taranaki, Eastern areas of the Tararua District, and Hawke’s Bay (about and south of Cape Kidnappers).
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
- Bay of Plenty including Rotorua – 22 hours from 2am Wednesday to midnight Wednesday
Heavy Rain Watch
- Auckland, and Waikato north and east of Huntly – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Wednesday
- Central North Island areas of Waitomo, Taumarunui and Taupō, including Tongariro National Park – 12 hours from 3am to 3pm Wednesday
- Taranaki – 13 hours from 1am to 2pm Wednesday
- Wairarapa – 21 hours from noon Wednesday to 9am Thursday
- Eastern Wellington – 21 hours from noon Wednesday to 9am Thursday
Strong Wind Watch
- Wellington and the Kapiti Coast – 12 hours from 6pm Wednesday to 6am Thursday
- Wairarapa – 12 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 9am Thursday
- Northland and Auckland, including Great Barrier Island – 10 hours from 8pm Wednesday to 6am Thursday
- Taranaki – 7 hours from 10pm Wednesday to 5am Thursday
- Eastern areas of the Tararua District and Hawke’s Bay about and south of Cape Kidnappers – 6 hours from 6am to noon Thursday
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