Source: Radio New Zealand
Weather warnings are in place across the country. Supplied / MetService
Heavy rain is causing localised downpours of between 25 and 40mm per hour in Bay of Plenty, west of Ōpōtiki.
The bands of rain are moving westwards and did not currently have lightning, but MetService has placed a severe thunderstorm watch on the area until 3pm Tuesday.
MetService’s Mark Todd said in these conditions, people should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and monitor the situation in case the watch is upgraded to a warning.
“Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips,” he said.
Earlier, MetService issued an orange heavy rain warning for the Bay of Plenty from 8pm Tuesday, which meant the organisation was highly confident that heavy rain would occur.
Severe gales were also possible in the South Island.
“A front stalls over Westland and Canterbury today, bringing heavy rain and possibly strong winds, then weakens,” the forecaster said in a statement.
“Humid northeasterlies affect the upper North Island and many places there are also expected to experience heavy rain during Tuesday and Wednesday. There are several warnings and watches for heavy rain around the country, and also a wind watch for parts of Canterbury.”
Northland could also expect heavy rain east of Kerikeri and Dargaville, as could Auckland and Great Barrier Island, between 2pm Tuesday and the same time Wednesday.
“Periods of heavy rain with localised downpours possible. Isolated areas may exceed warning criteria, especially in downpours.”
There was a high chance that heavy rain watch could be upgraded to a warning.
Heavy rain watches were also in place for Waitomo, Waikato and Taupo from 3pm for 24 hours; Taumarunui and Taihape north of Ohakune, from 11pm Tuesday for 12 hours; and Taranaki, for 23 hours from 9pm.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
