Latest news with #NIWAWeather
NZ Herald
11 hours ago
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Weather: Thousands of lightning strikes awaken Aucklanders during intense overnight storm
Aucklanders will this morning be inspecting their properties for damage after intense thunder and heavy rain overnight. The city had been under a thunderstorm watch overnight between 10.30pm and 1.30am and residents have woken to more thunderstorms. More than 5000 lightning strikes were recorded over the upper North Island and associated offshore areas from Sunday night. A lot of those strikes were in and around the Auckland region. Niwa said the lightning strikes were recorded between midnight until 7am. MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said the thunderstorms would continue across West Auckland for some time this morning. 'We are seeing a region of instability over that area. 'There are definitely some sparks happening. These cells will probably move on through and on the afternoon to a few showers.' MetService said the city can expect rain with squally thunderstorms, easing to showers this morning. Showers are expected to become few and far between by the afternoon. Westerlies, gusting at 100km/h at first, are expected to ease towards the afternoon. 5000+ lightning strikes ⚡️ were observed over the upper North Island & adjacent waters from 12 am to 7 am Monday. Why the thunderstorms? One key reason is a strong temperature gradient (change in temp over distance). Near 0°C over the central NI, 16-17° in the Far North. — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) June 8, 2025 MetService also reported a moderate risk of thunderstorms in Northland, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel Peninsula, and northern and western parts of the Waikato. It said the thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by heavy rain, hail, and wind gusts of up to 100km/h. Additionally, for western Waitomo and northern Taranaki, there is a low risk of thunderstorms throughout the period. In a post online, Niwa suggested that the upper North Island may be in for more thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon into the evening. Parts of the North Island will also see showers today, particularly in the Bay of Plenty, with clouds spreading north this afternoon. For the upper North Island, showers are set to clear this afternoon. As well, bitterly cold winter conditions greeted householders this morning. Pawley said the coldest place in the country was Mt Hutt, which reached -8C overnight and -6C this morning. 'Manapōuri Airport also reached -5C,' he said. Blenheim was sitting at -1C. Advertise with NZME. In the North Island, Pahīatua was the coldest, at -3.6C. Temperatures in Central Otago have continued to drop. Road snowfall warnings remain in place for Crown Range Road, and Porters Pass and Lewis Pass. MetService head of weather news Heather Keats said the country is in for another unsettled week with a 'few messy features set to influence our weather'. She said a strong, cold southerly will continue to affect most of the country today, with another chilly start in the South Island. 'It's fine and frosty for the west and north of the South Island with a few more showers left for the east.' Keats said southerlies will also pick up this morning for Wellington and Kāpiti. MetService said last night that another freezing night was in store for New Zealand as an icy-cold front swept across the country. MetService meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo said temperatures will be lowest in Wānaka and Queenstown, with both towns expecting -1C. Blenheim and Milford face 0C, while Christchurch will sit at 3C. In the North Island, the lowest temperatures were forecast for Taupō at 0C. The news comes after parts of New Zealand awoke yesterday to the coldest day so far this year. Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch all had their coldest mornings at 4.5C, 2.9C and -2.8C. The alpine village of Aoraki/Mt Cook recorded a temperature of -10C and locals say the area got as low as -13C overnight.
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Weather: Auckland commuters brace for severe wind gusts, Harbour Bridge faces possible closure
The bridge would remain in a 4x4 configuration during peak traffic today, NZTA said. However, speed limits and lane reductions could be brought in under an amber alert. 'Under a red alert, we may close all lanes on the bridge.' A full closure would occur if wind gusts reached 90km/h, 'because it's unsafe for any vehicle to be on the bridge and the bridge structure is vulnerable to vehicle impacts'. 'We don't take the decision to lower speeds, close lanes or close the bridge lightly. Our priority is the safety of road users and the bridge structure.' Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists were advised to avoid the harbour bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18. As Auckland commuters brace for severe wind gusts this morning, Wellington and Wairarapa residents could experience 130km/h winds. Unsettled weather conditions are expected to continue throughout today and into tomorrow. The following are newly issued and updated weather alerts. For comprehensive information on each alert, please visit our website at Click here… — MetService (@MetService) April 29, 2025 At the bottom of the North Island, Cook Strait ferries have been cancelled until Saturday because of 10m swells caused by the severe winds. A planned workers' union rally for May Day in Wellington has also been cancelled because of the weather. A strong wind warning will begin for coastal areas of Wairarapa at 9am Thursday and last 15 hours. In Wellington, the watch began at 3am and will last for 21 hours. Gusts of up to 130km/h are expected for both regions, with damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures possible. The severe winds could disrupt flights. It would be the strongest wind in more than a decade since 140km/h gusts were recorded in 2013. The last time gusts hit 110km/h was in 2022. MetService has also issued heavy swell warnings across the bottom of the North Island with waves of up to 7m predicted to strike some coastal areas. As a rule of thumb, big wind 🌬️ = big waves 🌊. Significant wave heights are forecast to reach 7-10 meters offshore. Combined with a King Tide, the risk for coastal erosion & possible flooding is elevated. Stay up-to-date with marine forecasts & warnings from @MetService. — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 29, 2025 In the South Island, a heavy rain warning is in place for Canterbury until late Thursday evening, while a warning is in place for the Kaikōura Coast until 6am Friday. The strong wind watch for coastal Marlborough, including the Kaikōura Coast, will expire late this evening. MetService said Canterbury residents could expect 120-160mm of rain in the foothills. 'Peak rates of 10-20mm/h expected about the foothills.' On the Kaikōura coast, 180-230mm of rain is forecast to fall and 130km/h gusts could be felt in exposed places. Flooding closed roads in Christchurch last night as heavy rain began to pelt the area.
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Auckland braces for severe winds, thunderstorms; monster 10m swells cancel Cook Strait ferries
MetService said the storm 'could be a significant weather event, with large amounts of rainfall expected between today and Friday' for the east of the South Island in particular. MetService meteorologist Kgolofelo Dube said the heavy rain could mean further localised flooding, slips and poor driving conditions. Unsettled weather conditions are expected to continue throughout today and into tomorrow. The following are newly issued and updated weather alerts. For comprehensive information on each alert, please visit our website at Click here… — MetService (@MetService) April 29, 2025 There is a moderate chance of thunderstorms for the upper North Island this afternoon including Northland, Auckland, Waikato and the Coromandel. Severe wind gusts are also tipped to strike Auckland at rush hour tomorrow morning, with a heavy wind watch coming into force at 7am. 'Damaging' 130km/h winds for Wellington, 10m swells cancel ferries Cook Strait ferries have been cancelled until Saturday because of monster 10-metre swells caused by the severe winds. A strong wind warning will begin for coastal areas of Wairarapa at 9am and last 15 hours. In Wellington, the watch will begin at 3am and last for 21 hours. As a rule of thumb, big wind 🌬️ = big waves 🌊. Significant wave heights are forecast to reach 7-10 meters offshore. Combined with a King Tide, the risk for coastal erosion & possible flooding is elevated. Stay up-to-date with marine forecasts & warnings from @MetService. — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 29, 2025 MetService said the wind, an unusually strong southerly, threatened trees which were typically only at risk from northerlies. 'This means that trees ... may be more vulnerable ... making them more prone to damage.' MetService has also issued the watch for Marlborough Sounds, Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast, inland areas of Wairarapa, the Tararua District, and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings tomorrow. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research reported gusts may reach 120km/h in some places. MetService said winds could hit 130km/h. Across the Cook Strait, the same watch will begin for Coastal Marlborough south of Blenheim, including the Kaikōura Coast at 1am and last for 21 hours. MetService is urging these communities to prepare for trees and powerlines to be damaged and to tie down any unsecured structures like trampolines. Damaging wind is a real concern for parts of the lower North Island, including Wellington, later today & Thursday. Gusts may reach 120+ km/h. Likely impacts include: 🌬️ Damage to trees 🌬️ Risk of power cuts 🌬️ Difficult travel Stay on top of weather warnings from @MetService. — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 29, 2025 'I can imagine that as well there'll be some kind of transportation issues with those strong winds,' Dube said. A strong wind watch will begin at 7am for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, and Waikato north of Hamilton, with warnings the westerly winds may turn to severe gales in exposed areas. Cantabrians told to brace for 40 hours of rain Meanwhile, multiple regions in Canterbury were told to brace for close to 40 hours of rain, some even more. State Highway 1 at Greta Valley in North Canterbury was blocked about 1.20pm today due to a slip near Stonyhurst Rd. The Christchurch City Council said roads were flooded in New Brighton and Wainoni. A heavy rain warning was issued for the Kaikōura Coast and ranges, Canterbury about and north of Amberley, between Amberley and Timaru, including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula at 10am. In Kaikōura, residents have been warned to expect between 180-230mm of rain over 44 hours, those north of Amberley should expect between 160-210mm over 35 hours and 120-160mm is forecast for Christchurch and Banks Peninsula over 32 hours. Along with the heavy rain, snow is also expected to fall as the wintry blast sends temperatures plummeting. Dube said cold fronts passing over the country from the south were the driving force behind the dropping temperatures. Advertise with NZME. A heavy snow warning is in place for Canterbury high country south of the Rangitata River, with MetService telling residents to expect 12-20cm of snow to settle above 800m, with lesser amounts down to 700m. A road snowfall warning will begin tonight for Arthur's Pass (SH73), Porters Pass (SH73) and Lindis Pass (SH8) and tomorrow morning for Lewis Pass (SH7). Three to 5cm of snow is expected to settle on the roads near the summit, with lesser amounts lower than 700m. A heavy rain watch is in place for Bay of Plenty about and west of Ōpōtiki and Wairarapa. The same warning will apply for Wellington tonight at 6pm and last for 45 hours.
Otago Daily Times
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Snow and rain warnings for Canterbury, some Cook Strait ferries cancelled
Periods of heavy snow down to 800 metres is forecast for the Canterbury High Country, south of the Rangitata River, from 6pm today until 10am tomorrow. Snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria. The snow would be welcome news for ski fields, MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said. "At this early stage, I'm sure we'll definitely take any snow that we can get. However, it is quite unseasonal, so in terms of the ski fields, we'll definitely be crossing our fingers for more snowfall as the season goes on. "For places like Canterbury, it is looking like quite a long-lived wet weather story." MetService said the prolonged rain came after a wet start to the year, and warned it could lead to rapidly rising rivers, surface flooding and difficult driving conditions. Christchurch City Council contractors had been preparing ahead of the downpour, clearing gutters, sumps, stormwater grates and beach outfalls. The heaviest rainfall was expected in the western Port Hills and the southern part of Banks Peninsula, the council said. "It's a good idea to clear your rain guttering and drains and if you know there are leaves blocking sumps or drains by your property, it would help us if you could remove them, and put them in your green wheelie bin. "Our stormwater network is designed to cope with heavy rain and our road network is also part of our stormwater network playing an important role during wet weather events. In most parts of the city our roads have been designed as secondary flow paths for stormwater so in heavy rain its normal to see some flooding on our roads." The council was also managing water levels in the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River. "Residents along the upper and mid-reaches of the river can expect fluctuations of water levels at any time before, during and after the rainfall event, even during periods of dry weather. This is to reduce peak flood levels during the rainfall event by maximising the use of the storage volume in the basins," the council said. Makgabutlane said by the weekend, conditions should start clearing up. "It is expected to be at least a couple of days. And so today, Wednesday, we're expecting everything to really start kicking off. Tomorrow, Thursday, will be another day to keep a close eye on, as well as Friday. "But it does look like as we head into the weekend, most of the country should be rid of that weather and by Sunday, things are looking pretty good across the country." As a rule of thumb, big wind 🌬️ = big waves 🌊.Significant wave heights are forecast to reach 7-10 meters with a King Tide, the risk for coastal erosion & possible flooding is elevated. Stay up-to-date with marine forecasts & warnings from @MetService. — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 29, 2025 Ferries cancelled Strong wind watches have been issued for the Buller, Grey, Westland and Nelson Lakes districts, the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island and and Wellington, along the south coast, including Wairarapa north of Castlepoint, in the North Island. Southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. MetService has issued heavy swell warnings for the 33-hour period between midday tomorrow until 9pm on Friday. Waves of 6 metres were forecast off Wellington - Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head from 3pm tomorrow until noon on Friday, while swells rising to 7 metres were expected off Wairarapa - Turakirae Head from midday tomorrow until 9pm on Friday. "This weather system that's bringing all of this weather that we're expecting is also going to be generating some large swells, but also the wind's generating some large waves on top of that and causing all sorts of problems and disruptions," Makgabutlane told RNZ's Morning Report programme. Interislander said it had cancelled crossings from 8.30pm today 2.30am on Friday, and there would be extra sailings put on over the weekend to accommodate passengers. More cancellations were likely on Friday if conditions did not improve. Bluebridge was cancelling sailings from 1.30pm today and all of tomorrow. Home Tunnel closures The Homer Tunnel on the Milford Road (SH94) in Southland is closing from 6.30pm to 3am for maintenance works from today until May 2, then from May 3-23 from 6pm until 3am. "No public access during these closures due to heavy equipment operating in tunnel." - Additional reporting APL
Otago Daily Times
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Cold blast for South Island, ferries cancelled
Periods of heavy snow down to 800 metres is forecast for the Canterbury High Country, south of the Rangitata River, from 6pm today until 10am tomorrow. Snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria. The snow would be welcome news for ski fields, MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said. "At this early stage, I'm sure we'll definitely take any snow that we can get. However, it is quite unseasonal, so in terms of the ski fields, we'll definitely be crossing our fingers for more snowfall as the season goes on. "For places like Canterbury, it is looking like quite a long-lived wet weather story." MetService said the prolonged rain came after a wet start to the year, and warned it could lead to rapidly rising rivers, surface flooding and difficult driving conditions. Christchurch City Council contractors had been preparing ahead of the downpour, clearing gutters, sumps, stormwater grates and beach outfalls. The heaviest rainfall was expected in the western Port Hills and the southern part of Banks Peninsula, the council said. "It's a good idea to clear your rain guttering and drains and if you know there are leaves blocking sumps or drains by your property, it would help us if you could remove them, and put them in your green wheelie bin. "Our stormwater network is designed to cope with heavy rain and our road network is also part of our stormwater network playing an important role during wet weather events. In most parts of the city our roads have been designed as secondary flow paths for stormwater so in heavy rain its normal to see some flooding on our roads." The council was also managing water levels in the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River. "Residents along the upper and mid-reaches of the river can expect fluctuations of water levels at any time before, during and after the rainfall event, even during periods of dry weather. This is to reduce peak flood levels during the rainfall event by maximising the use of the storage volume in the basins," the council said. Makgabutlane said by the weekend, conditions should start clearing up. "It is expected to be at least a couple of days. And so today, Wednesday, we're expecting everything to really start kicking off. Tomorrow, Thursday, will be another day to keep a close eye on, as well as Friday. "But it does look like as we head into the weekend, most of the country should be rid of that weather and by Sunday, things are looking pretty good across the country." As a rule of thumb, big wind 🌬️ = big waves 🌊.Significant wave heights are forecast to reach 7-10 meters with a King Tide, the risk for coastal erosion & possible flooding is elevated. Stay up-to-date with marine forecasts & warnings from @MetService. — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 29, 2025 Ferries cancelled Strong wind watches have been issued for the Buller, Grey, Westland and Nelson Lakes districts, the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island and and Wellington, along the south coast, including Wairarapa north of Castlepoint, in the North Island. Southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. MetService has issued heavy swell warnings for the 33-hour period between midday tomorrow until 9pm on Friday. Waves of 6 metres were forecast off Wellington - Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head from 3pm tomorrow until noon on Friday, while swells rising to 7 metres were expected off Wairarapa - Turakirae Head from midday tomorrow until 9pm on Friday. "This weather system that's bringing all of this weather that we're expecting is also going to be generating some large swells, but also the wind's generating some large waves on top of that and causing all sorts of problems and disruptions," Makgabutlane told RNZ's Morning Report programme. Interislander said it had cancelled crossings from 8.30pm today 2.30am on Friday, and there would be extra sailings put on over the weekend to accommodate passengers. More cancellations were likely on Friday if conditions did not improve. Bluebridge was cancelling sailings from 1.30pm today and all of tomorrow. Home Tunnel closures The Homer Tunnel on the Milford Road (SH94) in Southland is closing from 6.30pm to 3am for maintenance works from today until May 2, then from May 3-23 from 6pm until 3am. "No public access during these closures due to heavy equipment operating in tunnel." - Additional reporting APL
