23/02/2023 – Covering period of Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 February
MetService advise that a complex weather system continues to affect the country, before moving away to the south late Saturday. Further heavy rain and possible severe thunderstorms are expected to affect already saturated areas of the North Island, while the South Island experiences another chilly day.
An Orange Warning for Heavy Rain has been issued for the Hawke’s Bay region with grave concerns for impacts given the already vulnerable terrain. From now until Saturday morning, areas in the region can expect 150 to 200mm of rain to fall. The heaviest falls are likely from 3pm Friday, with peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h possible.
MetService meteorologist Amy Rossiter advises, “MetService are concerned for vulnerable areas like Esk Valley and the Wairoa District, given that 150 to 200mm in those areas could have significant impacts given slash and slit through the area.”
Heavy Rain Watches area also in force for Gisborne, Wairarapa (including the Tararua District), along with Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty.
Amy Rossiter continues “Additional heavy rain in these already saturated regions will be significant, and further flooding and slips may occur. We continue to brief those emergency services and lifelines working in recovery in the affected regions.
There is also a risk of thunderstorms for much of the upper North Island today and tomorrow, with the potential that some of these thunderstorms could be severe. MetService has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watches for this afternoon for Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, the Hauraki Plains and Bay of Plenty from Te Puke westwards. Downpours associated with these thunderstorms could reach peak intensities of up to 40 mm per hour. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface or flash flooding and may also lead to slips.
“People in these areas are advised to prepare as best they can in case of a downpour, although localised 40mm in an hour is a large amount of rain,” Amy advises.
As this system moved northwards over the country it brought unseasonably cold air, and we saw a sharp change in temperatures that would have you pulling out the winter coats.
“Alexandra, in Central Otago, had a high of 28.4°C on Tuesday but yesterday only managed to reach 12.3°C. We even saw snow flurries as low as 1200m through Otago and Canterbury.” Rossiter says.
The below average temperatures are expected to slowly climb back to normal values through the weekend.
Further afield, eyes are on the Tropics for any potential tropical cyclone development. MetService has a dedicated Tropical Cyclone Bench who are monitoring a potential system that may develop mid next week. At this stage, it is too early to tell if this system will have any effect on our weather. Stay up to date with MetService.com as we release any new information.
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!
