Latest news with #NiwaWeather
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.
NZ Herald
27-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Weather: Heavy rain, showers forecast for Auckland, Coromandel; chance of thunderstorms
📷📷A Heavy Rain Watch in in force for Auckland, valid until 9am Monday. 📷📷Northland remains under a Heavy Rain Watch until 6pm today. 📷There is currently also a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in force for Northland. 📷Keep up to date here … — MetService (@MetService) April 27, 2025 'Periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria and possibly exceed them in localised areas, especially in thunderstorms and downpours.' According to the MetService website, there is a moderate chance the watch will upgrade to a warning. Holden said a low-pressure system is directing moist, unstable north easterlies over the top part of the North Island. The next few days will continue to feature active weather across parts of NZ: ⛈️ After showery weather in the upper North Island on Mon, a front could bring more heavy rain and thunderstorms on Tues. 🌧️ We'll then have to watch the chance for heavy rain in the upper SI on Wed. — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 27, 2025 'Those northeasterlies are bringing with them rain and showers,' he said. 'Unstable, in this case, means those showers are more likely to produce thunderstorms.' Holden said the worst rain was forecast to travel south over Auckland and towards the Coromandel Peninsula today. 'The Coromandel is going to be taking a lot of the brunt, helping keep the worst of it off those in the Waikato,' he said. 'Those next in the firing line after that are probably going to be the Bay of Plenty.' Holden said there was a chance another thunderstorm watch could be issued for the top of the North Island today. 'Anywhere north of Rotorua has the distinct chance of a thunderstorm,' he said. '[The] areas we are most concerned about are Coromandel, Auckland and Northland in the morning period. From the afternoon, there is more general concern of thunderstorms for Rotorua northwards.' Niwa said 'active weather' was forecast to continue tomorrow and later in the week. 'After showery weather in the upper North Island on Monday, a front could bring more heavy rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday. 'We'll then have to watch the chance for heavy rain in the upper South Island on Wed[nesday].'
NZ Herald
23-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Weather: Another wet weekend forecast for upper North Island as holidaymakers head home
Ferris said there is potential for localised and heavy bouts of rain on already saturated soils. MetService would be keeping a 'close eye' on the forecast. 'Risk of frost' Temperatures are also expected to plummet this week. MetService forecaster Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said southerly winds were set to sweep up the country today. 'Compared to last week, the general feel of the air will be much cooler, and it is looking like the trend for the rest of the week.' 💨 Woosh! A strong southerly will funnel through Cook Strait on Wednesday, spreading northwards and dropping the 'feels like' temp. A real change for North Islanders after the recent tropical air. Time to grab a layer or two! 🧥 — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 22, 2025 Parts of both islands could also see frosts, she said. On X, MetService told people to 'cover those cabbages'. 'Overnight there will be a risk of frost for most of the South Island and inland areas of the North Island,' it posted. 'Allow extra time for your morning commute because the roads could be icy.' Cover those cabbages! Overnight there will be a risk of frost for most of the South Island and inland areas of the North Island. ❄ Allow extra time for your morning commute because the roads could be icy. 🚗 — MetService (@MetService) April 23, 2025 Makgabutlane recommended those attending Anzac Day dawn services wrap up warm, as a chilly start to the day has been forecast. Auckland is forecast to reach a high of 20C and a low of 13C on Anzac Day, while Hamilton is set to reach 19C with a low of 7C. In the South Island, Christchurch is forecast to hit a high of 16C and a low of 5C, while Dunedin will reach a high of 16C and a low of 9C. Risk of weather warnings this weekend The MetService severe weather outlook for Saturday says there's a moderate chance of warning amounts of rain for Northland and upper Auckland regions. 'A large high over the country moves slowly eastwards, while a trough affects the north of the North Island, bringing rain and strengthening northeast winds. 'Another trough is expected to approach the far south of the South Island late in the day. This should bring rain to the west of the island and strengthening northwest winds to the southeast.' On Sunday there's a moderate chance a heavy rain warning will be required for the southeast of Northland, Auckland north of Whangaparāoa, Great Barrier Island and the far north of Coromandel Peninsula.
