MetService is warning of potential thunderstorms across multiple regions tonight.
MetService is warning of potential thunderstorms across multiple regions tonight.
Heavy rain is causing surface flooding on Auckland roads tonight with a severe thunderstorm watch extended through to the morning rush hour commute.
The weekend of messy weather is coming to a wild end, with MetService warning of potential severe thunderstorms across multiple northern regions.
Heavy rain is already falling across the country’s largest city where motorists are facing difficult driving conditions tonight, with surface flooding on some motorways and arterial routes.
Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) crew responded to reports of flooding at a campground in the Far North township of Kaeo tonight.
Fenz said blocked drains had caused flooding to “multiple properties”. Property owners advised they would deal with the problem and Fenz left shortly after.
With an unstable northwest airflow draped over the northern North Island, MetService said there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms over Auckland and Great Barrier Island from mid-evening until tomorrow morning, during rush-hour traffic.
“Whether these thunderstorms occur or not, there is a chance of localised downpours of 25-40mm per hour,” MetService reported.
Areas about and near the Hauraki Gulf were most likely to experience the downpours, but there was a risk they could also occur elsewhere in Auckland.
Severe thunderstorm watches - advising of similarly heavy downpours - were also in place in Northland from 6pm Sunday to 7am Monday; in the Coromandel Peninsula from 10pm to 7am; and in Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty from midnight to 7am.
Additionally, a heavy rain watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatāne, and Gisborne north of Ruatōria, from midnight to 9am.
MetService warned intense rainfall could cause surface and flash-flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
MetService is warning of potential severe thunderstorms in multiple regions. Image / MetService
“Driving conditions will also be hazardous, with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.”
Earlier this afternoon, MetService advised of potential severe late afternoon thunderstorms around the South Island’s West Coast - but its warning has since been lifted.
The MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning tonight for parts of the Wellington region.
This afternoon, the forecaster issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Marlborough, Wellington City and Hutt Valley.
The MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms offshore from Wellington South Coast, Wellington itself, Wellington Airport, the outer Marlborough Sounds, Cook Strait and Tory Channel around 5.15pm.
“These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast, and are expected to lie near Wellington and offshore Wellington South Coast, Baring Head, Palliser Bay and Cook Strait at 5.45pm and near Palliser Bay, Wellington and offshore Wellington South Coast at 6.15pm.”
“These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain and hail.”
🔴⛈SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING⛈🔴
MetService weather radar has detected severe thunderstorms near OFFSHORE MANA ISLAND, WELLINGTON and WELLINGTON AIRPORT. These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast, and are expected to lie near WELLINGTON, PORIRUA, OFFSHORE… pic.twitter.com/nkOnqN2pbX
The Wellington thunderstorm warning was lifted at 6.20pm.
The unsettled weather was expected to continue into the week, as a broad low moved slowly over the Tasman Sea - accompanied by a weak trough extending over northern New Zealand.
“A ridge to the south of the country directs a strong and moist easterly flow over New Zealand, which brings rain or showers to eastern regions and southeast gales to exposed places,” MetService reported.
“Snow is also forecast for the Canterbury High Country and southeastern parts of Marlborough, which may affect some high roads.”
