Source: Radio New Zealand
File photo. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
MetService is forecasting downpours across the North Island on Wednesday, with RELATED] https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/513904/weather-watches-and-warnings-what-they-mean-and-when-they-re-triggered possible thunderstorms] in some places, and a number of watches and warnings in place.
A heavy rain warning is in place from 11am until 11pm on Wednesday for Bay of Plenty and Gisborne/Tai Rāwhiti north of Ruatoria and the inland ranges, thunderstorms and downpours are also possible in these areas.
Meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the most notable warning was for Bay of Plenty, with 80 to 120 millimetres of rain set to fall before the end of the day.
“With thunderstorms in the mix we could see shorter periods of more intense rain bringing those possibilities such as flooding as well as slips and difficult driving conditions.”
At 10.15am, MetService’s weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Matamata, Waharoa and the Kaimai Ranges.
These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast, and are expected to lie near Matamata, Tirau, the Southern Kaimai Ranges, Te Poi, Okoroire and Hinuera at 10.45am and near Putaruru, the Mamaku Plateau, the Southern Kaimai Ranges, Te Poi and Okoroire at 11.15 am. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.
Thunderstorms may also occur in Taranaki and Whanganui, she said.
MetService has issued weather warnings and watches for much of the North Island on Wednesday. Supplied / MetService
A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for a large part of the North Island including Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taupo from 1pm-6pm on Wednesday.
Some of these thunderstorms may become severe on Wednesday afternoon with localised downpours of up to 40mm/h, large hail and strong wind gusts of up to 90km/h.
MetService said there was even a slight chance of a tornado, but that thunderstorm activity was expected to ease by Wednesday evening.
Northerly winds are forecast to turn southwesterly with gusts of up to 90km/h forecast.
Heavy rain watches are in place for a number of places throughout the day including Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula, Taranaki, Wairarapa, the eastern hills and ranges in Wellington, and central North Island areas including Waikato and inland Whanganui.
There are also strong wind watches in place later on Wednesday for Northland, Auckland, Taranaki, Horowhenua to Wellington, parts of the Tararua and Hawke’s Bay districts and Wairarapa.
In the South Island heavy rain watches are in place for the Kaikōura Coast and the Chatham Islands, where a strong wind watch is also in place.
There may also be thunderstorms in Central Otago on Wednesday afternoon or evening.
Wind watches are also in place for Marlborough and parts of the Nelson region from 5pm Wednesday until 3am Thursday.
Makgabutlane said things were set to improve from Thursday onwards.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
