A front is bringing some heavy rain to already sodden areas of the North Island today, say MetService. Large parts of Gisborne have already received between 30 and 50mm of rain today and there is an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for the region through tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. There are also Heavy Rain Watches for Coromandel and eastern parts of Bay of Plenty. Many parts of the North Island may also be subjected to thunderstorms and downpours of rain this afternoon and until 9pm tonight, and a large Severe Thunderstorm Watch covers a wide area from Northland all the way down to the Hawke’s Bay ranges.
MetService meteorologist Karl Loots said, “From Tuesday morning we expect this front to weaken and move away from the country, taking the rain and the thunderstorms with it. After this, we expect some welcome dry weather for the remainder of the week for the North Island”.
While those in the North have had a very wet summer, the opposite is true for many parts of the South Island.
“A series of fronts will bring some rain to southern and western parts of the South Island in the second half of the week. This comes on the back of a much drier than usual summer for many in these parts of the country”, explained Loots.
The Latest on the Tropics
After Cyclone Gabrielle, many people have been keeping a close eye on the tropics. Tropical Cyclone Judy has just been named by the Fiji meteorological service this afternoon (Monday). Judy currently sits north of Vanuatu as a category one system.
There is increasing confidence that Judy will track well to the northeast of New Zealand with minimal impact on the country’s weather. Climatologically, we are now in the peak of the tropical cyclone season for the Southwest Pacific with another potential development of a tropical cyclone being monitored. Tropical cyclone tracks are notoriously complex to forecast, so staying up to date with the latest forecasts is always a good idea.
For the latest forecasts and track updates for Judy, please visit the Fiji Meteorological Service.
For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with one of our meteorologists please call 04 4700 848 or email metcomms@metservice.com
Understanding our Severe Weather Watches and Warnings
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
Issued routinely once or twice a day
Recommendation: Plan
Watches are about being alert:
When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
During a Watch: Stay alert
Orange Warnings are about taking action:
When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action
Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:
When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!
