Severe Weather Warnings
Heavy rain and northerly gales for much of the South Island and parts of the North Island, including significant heavy rain for Westland and Southland
A complex trough of low pressure over the Tasman Sea is moving slowly towards New Zealand, while an associated front moves over the South Island overnight tonight and over the North Island during Friday. A humid northerly flow precedes the front, and is expected to bring periods of heavy rain and strong north to northeast winds to many places. Large waves are also expected to affect the west coast of the South Island. A cooler southeasterly flow behind the front is bringing heavy rain to the far south of the South Island.
This continues to be a significant event for Westland. People should listen to advice from local authorities, and those who need to travel through the region need to take extra care. Additionally, a significant amount of rain is expected in Southland and localised flooding is likely, especially in the west.
People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Impact: Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
Area: Coromandel Peninsula
Period: 12hrs from 3am - 3pm Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: Expect 80 to 120 mm of rain in parts of the region. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h likely in localised downpours Friday morning, with thunderstorms also possible. Please note, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch will be issued later this morning for this region.
Area: Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua
Period: 19hrs from 4am - 11pm Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: Expect 80 to 140 mm of rain in parts of the region, especially about and east of Rotorua. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h likely in localised downpours Friday morning and afternoon, with thunderstorms also possible. Heavy rain easing west of Whakatane Friday late afternoon and early evening Please note, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch will be issued later this morning for this region.
Area: Mount Taranaki
Period: 21hrs from noon Thu, 11 Apr - 9am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: Expect 150 to 250 mm of rain. Peak rates of 25 to 35 mm/h expected from this evening onwards. Thunderstorms possible Thursday morning.
Area: Tasman northwest of Motueka
Period: 17hrs from 9am Thu, 11 Apr - 2am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 150 to 200 mm of rain. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected from this afternoon onwards.
Area: The Bryant Range, also inland Marlborough west of Blenheim and north of the Awatere River
Period: 20hrs from 9am Thu, 11 Apr - 5am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 100 to 150 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected from this afternoon onwards.
Area: Buller District south of Seddonville and northwest of Reefton
Period: 15hrs from 9am - midnight Thu, 11 Apr
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 70 to 100 mm of rain, especially about the Paparoa Range. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected this afternoon and evening, thunderstorms possible.
Area: Westland District south of Hokitika
Period: 18hrs from 9am Thu, 11 Apr - 3am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 150 to 200 mm to accumulate about the ranges, and 50 to 100 mm nearer the coast. Peak rates of 25 to 35 mm/h about the ranges today, thunderstorms possible. Please note, the heaviest rain should ease late afternoon and evening, but showers and possible thunderstorms continue through into early Friday morning.
Area: Headwaters of Canterbury Lakes and Rivers south of Arthur's Pass
Period: 18hrs from 9am Thu, 11 Apr - 3am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 150 to 200 mm about the main divide, and 100 to 150 mm within 15 km further east, especially south of the Rakaia River. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected today, thunderstorms possible.
Area: Headwaters of the Otago Lakes and Rivers
Period: 17hrs from 9am Thu, 11 Apr - 2am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 100 to 150 mm about the main divide, and 50 to 100 mm within 15 km further east. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected.
Area: Fiordland
Period: 12hrs from 9am - 9pm Thu, 11 Apr
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 50 to 80 mm of rain. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected this morning and early afternoon.
Area: Southland
Period: 15hrs from 9am - midnight Thu, 11 Apr
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 40 to 80 mm of rain, especially in the west. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h expected this morning and early afternoon. Please note, light to moderate rain may continue in the north of the region into Friday morning.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Northland
Period: 15hrs from 6pm Thu, 11 Apr - 9am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: A period of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible. Amounts may approach warning criteria. Please note, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch will be issued later this morning for this region.
Area: Nelson Lakes, Buller District about and southeast of Reefton, Grey District, and Westland District about and north of Hokitika
Period: 17hrs from 9am Thu, 11 Apr - 2am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Area: Clutha
Period: 17hrs from 9am Thu, 11 Apr - 2am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Canterbury High Country
Period: 11hrs from 9am - 8pm Thu, 11 Apr
Forecast: North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Area: Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island
Period: 24hrs from 9am Thu, 11 Apr - 9am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Please note, winds easing in Northland and Auckland earlier Friday morning.
Area: Taranaki south of the Mountain, Taihape and the Whanganui Hill Country
Period: 20hrs from 1pm Thu, 11 Apr - 9am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Area: Buller District, Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough
Period: 15hrs from noon Thu, 11 Apr - 3am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Area: Wellington
Period: 12hrs from 6pm Thu, 11 Apr - 6am Fri, 12 Apr
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Issued: 9:56am Thu, 11 Apr
Next update: 9pm Thu, 11 Apr