MetService National Weather: September 28th - October 1st.
Video / Metservice
As most Kiwis soak up the Sunday sunshine after wild weather lashed large parts of the country yesterday, forecasters are warning another nasty weather system is on the way.
The MetService has today issued a fresh round of severe weather warnings, with heavy rain, gale force winds and even snow bearing down on part of the South and lower North Island.
The warnings comes as much of the country welcomed some rare sunshine today, accompanied by warmer conditions.
But unfortunately for weather-battered Kiwis, today’s reprieve will be short-lived.
“She cuts up rough again tomorrow as another trough crosses the country,” said MetService forecaster Gerard Bellam.
MetService says more fast-moving fronts are expected to travel up the country into the second week of school holidays, with heavy rain expected for the South Island west coast from Sunday.
Severe weather warnings
MetService has issued a raft of severe weather warnings and watches that will come into effect as early as 3am on Monday and remain throughout the day.
The South Island’s west coast looks most in the firing line for heavy rain, with an orange warning to come into effect for Westland and watches for Buller and Fiordland.
MetService says thunderstorms are possible for these areas and it expects 90 to 110mm of rain about the ranges, with lesser amounts near the coast and peak rates to reach 10 to 20mm/h.
#Metservice has issued a raft of Strong Wind and Heavy Rain warnings and watches this morning. Some for NWers ahead of an approaching cold front, some for SWers behind it, and some for both. For more details on your area go to https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5pic.twitter.com/BJZhMmiBcI
The rest of the South Island will come under an orange strong wind warning throughout Monday as severe northwest gales with damaging gusts of up to 140km/h expected.
As for the North Island, the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Wairarapa and Tararua districts will be hit by strong winds from 9am on Monday, rising to severe gales in exposed places by mid-morning, gusting up to 120km/h.
Winds in Hawke’s Bay, south of Hastings, may also approach severe gales in exposed places.
MetService advises strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may also be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Road snowfall warnings will also come into effect from Monday afternoon in the South Island for Lindis Pass (SH8), Milford Road (SH94) and Crown Range Rd.
High winds and at-times driving rain didn't deter some walkers in Auckland yesterday, including this person making their way up Maungawhau Mt Eden. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
Bellam said the northwest wind direction today means some places can expect unseasonably high temperatures before a southerly change in the afternoon.
“But then that cold change will come up the country.”
Wild weather lashed NZ on Saturday
Yesterday’s west-to-southwest cold front brought wind gusts of up to 135km/h on Great Barrier Island, a twister that tipped a caravan in Buller - slightly injuring one person, and disrupted ferry services. A tree came down next to a home in suburban Auckland, and Matamata’s 110th A & P Show was cancelled after flooding at Morrinsville Recreation Ground.
There were also severe thunderstorms in Northland, hail in Christchurch and snow showers in Queenstown. A road was closed because of flooding in Wellington.
A couple were in a caravan at Mokihinui in Buller when an “isolated twister” tipped it at 1am yesterday, leaving one suffering a sore shoulder, Gentle Annie Seaside Campground owner Jesse Paley-Atkins said.
“It wasn’t an area-wide storm - just a random event. The rest of the camping ground and area were unaffected. Fine sunny day here today.”
A tree came down next to a home on Athenic Ave in Lynfield, Auckland during yesterday's high winds in Auckland. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
