Covering period of Mon 24 – Thu 27 June – MetService has issued Severe Weather Watches and Warnings for strong winds and heavy rain around Tairāwhiti Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay during Tuesday and Wednesday.
“A low pressure system is forecast to develop off the East Cape and looks to bring a run of wet and windy weather to eastern areas this week with dangerous coastal conditions expected from Tuesday evening. The mix of large swells, strong winds and heavy rain are likely to cause disruptions around the coast, to the roads and potentially the power network,” MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris warns.
The southeast swell direction could mean significant waves into the Gisborne Harbour so boaties are advised to check their moorings. Coastal communities should expect waves to run further up the beach around the high tides Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
Generally, the conditions look to ease on Thursday but it’s not until Friday that winds settle, and clear skies return to the East Coast.
The rest of the country is in for mostly settled conditions by comparison, but some rain will spread down the east coast of the South Island around Wednesday.
By the end of Thursday, a band of rain from the Tasman Sea looks to touch down in Fiordland. This is forecast to shift across the South Island on Friday and the North Island on Saturday. This means that Matariki weekend may start on a damp note for some people, but high pressure is due after the rain so settled weather should also be seen nationwide.
Understanding MetService Severe Weather Warning System
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) – take cover now:
This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning.
In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!
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!
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.
Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action
Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.
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
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.
