Hikers, campers and drivers have been warned to take care as thunderstorms, slips and flooding - including flooded rivers - are possible in the worst-hit areas.
A warm, moist northwesterly flow is bringing rain or showers to all parts of the country, with thunderstorms possible in northern and western parts of both islands and the Deep South.
Red severe thunderstorm warning lifted
MetService this evening issued a red severe thunderstorm warning for the north of Auckland, valid from 6.45pm to 7.45pm.
The warning, for Rodney and Kaipara, has now been lifted.
“This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the east-southeast and are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain,” the warning said.
“Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous,” the warning said.
As storms approach, people should take shelter staying away from trees and windows, while those on the water should get back to land.
Drivers should be ready to slow down or stop.
After storms, people should beware of fallen trees and power lines, and avoid streams and drains due to the risk of being swept away in flash flooding.
Flood risk north of Auckland
A gloomy Auckland on Friday morning before heavy rain set in around lunchtime. Photo / Michael Craig
This afternoon MetService added heavy rain watches for Northland, Coromandel and Auckland, where rain has already been bucketing down since lunchtime.
Those regions, including Great Barrier Island, are now set for periods of heavy rain with possible thunderstorms.
Rain levels could approach or even exceed warning criteria in localised areas, the forecaster said, with downpours of 25-40mm per hour possible.
Thunderstorms and “very heavy, slow moving rain” meant there was a risk of pockets of flooding around the Northland-Auckland boundary this afternoon, according to forecaster Weatherwatch.co.nz.
A music festival in northwest Auckland has been cancelled at the last minute as thunder and lightning approach. The Love Your Ways festival in Kumeū, featuring Basement Jaxx, was deemed “unsafe to proceed” by the venue. All ticketholders would be refunded, the organisers said.
The city is in for another muggy, humid night with minimum temperatures of 20C overnight.
Kia Ora Auckland, MetService have issued a Heavy Rain Watch for Auckland including Great Barrier Island effective from Friday 29th Dec at 1:00c pm to 5:00 am Saturday 30th Dec. Please visit the MetService website to stay up to date with the latest information & weather alerts. pic.twitter.com/Ro2vN4xDdr
— Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) (@AucklandCDEM) December 29, 2023
Numerous sports matches around the country have also been cancelled, including across Taranaki, which was hammered by torrential rain this morning.
Motorists are also being warned to take extra care in the bad weather. Police said just after 4pm they were responding to three crashes on Saddle Rd and the Pahiatua Track.
Police advised those driving in the area that visibility was extremely low.
“One lane of Saddle Rd is partially blocked near the summit. Drivers are reminded to slow down and drive to the conditions, including using your headlights in low-visibility areas.”
A number of flights in and out of Nelson have been cancelled or diverted. MetService meteorologist Heath Gullery said there had only been light rain today but the very moist northeast winds had brought low cloud into Nelson Airport, which was the likely cause of the cancellations.
Weather warnings, watches covering north and west of country
MetService last night put weather watches and warnings in place from Waikato and Bay of Plenty down to Fiordland, with 100-160mm of rain possible in some warning areas.
A heavy rain warning is in place for Taranaki Maunga through till 3am with a peak of 15-25 mm/h expected until mid-afternoon today.
The Westland ranges are under a 21-hour heavy rain warning until 6am Saturday, with 100-140mm of rain expected over that time and peak rates of 20-30mm/h. Nelson has a heavy rain warning until 7pm tonight with up to 90mm of rain in total.
🌧️🟠 Severe Weather Warnings
Heavy rain continues to feed into the west of New Zealand today, along with the risk of thunderstorms.
Heavy rain warnings for the ranges of Westland, areas west of Motueka and Taranaki Maunga. pic.twitter.com/4ZvhdwEOkc
Heavy rain watches lasting 22 hours are in place for Buller, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō, Tongariro National Park and the Kaimanawa Mountains, while Fiordland’s watch lasts for 20 hours.
In the Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua, a heavy rain watch is in place till 10am Saturday.
Rainfall amounts could reach warning criteria in all those areas, with thunderstorms also possible in many areas.
Heavy rain means streams and rivers can rise rapidly and driving conditions may be hazardous, with possible surface flooding and slips. Thunderstorms are also possible in many areas, bringing intense localised downpours, according to MetService.
The national forecaster’s meteorologist John Law said those thinking of going camping should keep an eye on the forecasts to avoid being stranded by sudden floods or slips.
With heavy rain also expected across the Tararua Ranges and the Tongariro Crossing, keen hikers should also take care, Law said.
New Year’s Day to bring drier weather for 2024
The fast-moving weather system should improve by mid-Saturday with a much drier day for many - and temperatures likely to exceed 30C in Hawke’s Bay, according to MetService.
While another front will bring more rain on Sunday, there’s good news as 2024 dawns - both MetService and private forecaster WeatherWatch expect the weather to clear for New Year’s Day.
WeatherWatch head forecaster Philip Duncan said a big block of high pressure coming in from the Tasman Sea and Southern Ocean will bring clearing, cooler weather on January 1, with the recent high humidity taking a break.
