Weather: Heavy rain, severe thunderstorm watches extended for Waikato and Coromandel Peninsula

The Metservice’s severe thunderstorm watch for Waikato has been extended to 9pm tonight while a heavy rain watch alert was issued this morning and would be in place until at least 3pm.

The latest alert warned of periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible, especially in the east of the region over Morrinsville and Matamata.

An orange heavy rain warning, severe thunderstorm watch and strong wind watch were in place over Thames, Paeroa and Coromandel Peninsula.

The alerts warned residents of east Waikato and Coromandel Peninsula to expect a further 40 to 80mm of rain with peak rates of 25 to 40mm/h possible in “localised downpours”.

“Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous,” the Metservice website said.

Yesterday, the MetService has declared a severe thunderstorm watch for six regions in New Zealand, including the Waikato starting from about 10pm on Thursday through to midday Friday.

Heavy rain & thunderstorms are predicted across Coromandel tonight & tomorrow, with forecast downfalls significant. Slips, flooding, & fallen trees are possible. Please be prepared & remember to check our Journeys Highway Map before travel: https://t.co/C2rAlbrM9N ^TP pic.twitter.com/lNMw0PFVzb

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) April 11, 2024

Residents of the Coromandel Peninsula were encouraged to work from home as heavy rains and strong winds are expected to batter the area, with meteorologists warning of flooding and slips.

The MetService’s alert forecasted possible thunderstorms and heavy rain overnight, heading into Friday with localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h predicted for the eastern Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Northland.

“Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding especially in low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys and may also lead to slips,” the MetService website said.

“Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.”

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said the risk was particularly high for residents of the Coromandel Peninsula in the early hours of Friday.

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“Take it pretty easy through tomorrow morning, especially with the morning commute,” Ferris told the Waikato Herald.

“Work from home if that is at all possible. There will be large amounts of rain in the Coromandel. So further flooding and slips are things that could happen very quickly.”

Farris said the heavy rain was going to be accompanied by some blustery wind.

“That is going to increase the risk of delays on the road.”

The MetService has declared a severe thunderstorm watch for six regions in New Zealand, including Waikato.

The MetService has a strong-wind watch in place over the Coromandel Peninsula until tomorrow at 9am while a heavy-rain warning for the area is in place until 3pm.

But Ferris said once residents made it through Friday, there was a better forecast in store for the start of the school holidays.

“Once we make it into the weekend it looks pretty good. The wind direction turns around to the west by southwest. That will clear out a lot of that rain.”

Traffic bulletin

A traffic bulletin issued by the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has warned locals and those heading away early for the school holidays to be “especially careful” on the roads on Friday.

“Drive to the conditions – watch following distances – and be prepared that there could be debris or pooling water on the road ahead.”

The bulletin said NZTA was monitoring the conditions closely, receiving regular updates from the MetService and working with local authorities.

“Planned works around the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions are weather-dependent, and given the severity of forecast weather, will be deferred to the next suitable day if required. Our crews are proactively monitoring the state highway network and will be ready to respond if needed,” the bulletin said.

🟧 Severe Weather Update 🟨https://t.co/HZ2TSD5rV7

🌧 Heavy rain continues to fall on the West Coast but the band of rain is now moving onto the North Island as well.

⛈ Downpours are possible in the upper North Island Fri morning.

💨 Blustery conditions for many regions. pic.twitter.com/0laVCcXmhN

— MetService (@MetService) April 10, 2024

Hamilton weather

Hamilton seems to have escaped the severe weather forecast applied to the east Waikato but the city could experience a slightly wetter start to the school break.

“There will be rain making its way to Hamilton throughout the rest of today with some further rain on Friday,” Ferris said.

“As we head into the weekend there will be westerly winds with some showers through Saturday and looking a bit clearer and brighter come Sunday.”

Taupō is also not within any of the weather warnings.

Taupō weather

Taupō was also not within any of the weather warnings.

“On Friday there could be heavy rain at times easing to a few showers in the evening.”

Ferris said there was the possibility of a burst of heavy rain in the area on Friday and passing showers heading into Saturday and a wetter second half predicted for Sunday.

However, Ferris said families could expect the weather to be “pretty settled” in time for the new work week.

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based multimedia reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.