Rain warning

Teresa from Whakatane District

SEVERE WEATHER WATCH FOR NORTHLAND, AUCKLAND, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND,WAIKATO, WAITOMO, COROMANDEL PENINSULA, BAY OF PLENTY, ROTORUA,TAUMARUNUI, TAUPO, TARARUA, WAIRARAPA, TARANAKI, WANGANUI, MANAWATU,KAPITI HOROWHENUA ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 2032hrs 06-Nov-2016

BURST OF HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PARTS OF THE NORTH ISLAND

An active front with thunderstorms is forecast to slowly cross the North Island overnight Sunday and Monday with an associated low. This front is expected to bring periods of heavy rain to central and northern parts of the North Island overnight or on Monday, with possible squally thunderstorms and localised downpours.

This WATCH is for the possibility that rainfall amounts will exceed short term warning criteria, for example 70mm in 12 hours in the following areas:

TARARUA RANGE: Rain may be heavy at times this evening (Sunday) in a strong northwest flow and again for a time during Monday in a southerly flow. It is looking less likely that rainfall amounts here will reach warning criteria, however a WATCH will be maintained for the time being.

TARANAKI: Rain is expected to be heavy at times through to late Monday morning or afternoon, with possible thunderstorms. Rainfall intensities may reach 15 to 25mm per hour at times, especially about the Mountain and in any thunderstorms.

THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND FROM WAIKATO TO TAUMARUNUI AND WESTERN TAIHAPE, INCLUDING TAUPO, TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK AND THE HEADWATERS OF THE WHANGANUI RIVER: Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms are expected overnight Sunday and during Monday morning. Rainfall intensities may reach 15 to 25mm per hour, especially in any thunderstorms, which could lead to localised surface flooding.

BAY OF PLENTY, MAINLY EAST OF ROTORUA: Rain is expected to become heavy at times from tonight (Sunday) and should ease Monday afternoon. Rainfall intensities may reach 15 to 30mm per hour, especially Monday morning and early afternoon about the ranges and in any thunderstorms, which could lead to localised surface flooding.

AUCKLAND, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND AND COROMANDEL PENINSULA: A period of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms is possible overnight and on Monday morning. Rainfall intensities may reach 15 to 30mm per hour in some places, especially in any thunderstorms, which could lead to localised surface flooding.

NORTHLAND: Rain is expected to become heavy for a time from tonight to mid-morning Monday with possible squally thunderstorms. Rainfall intensities may reach 15 to 30mm per hour in northern and eastern areas, especially in any thunderstorms, which could lead to localised surface flooding.

The rain has eased in FIORDLAND and WESTLAND SOUTH OF OTIRA and the WATCH for these areas is lifted.

People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case any part of this WATCH is upgraded to a WARNING or if any additional areas are added to the WATCH.

This Watch will be reviewed by 10am Monday 7th November 2016