This is the latest weather advice from MetService.
A strong and extremely humid northeasterly flow precedes a tropical low that is forecast to approach New Zealand from the north today. Heavy rain, downpours and easterly gales are expected to affect many areas. The rain and wind should ease Thursday after the low crosses the country. Red and Orange Warnings are in force for many areas.
Please stay up to date with the latest forecasts.
Heavy Rain Warning - Red
Area: Northland
Period: 3hrs from 8pm - 11pm Wed, 21 Jan
Forecast: Expect a further 30 to 50 mm of rain on top of what has already accumulated, or possibly more in some localised areas, especially in the north and east. Peak rates of 25 to 40 mm/h in localised downpours.
Impact: Threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips. Conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities.
Action: Do not enter floodwaters and avoid travel. Act quickly to self-evacuate if you see rising water. Be ready for power and communications outages. Preparedness advice.
Area: Coromandel Peninsula
Period: 7hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 3am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Expect a further 100 to 140 mm of rain on top of what has already accumulated, especially about the higher ground. Peak rates of 25 to 40 mm/h in downpours.
Impact: Threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips. Conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities.
Action: Do not enter floodwaters and avoid travel. Act quickly to self-evacuate if you see rising water. Be ready for power and communications outages. Preparedness advice.
Area: Bay of Plenty including Rotorua
Period: 12hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 8am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Expect a further 100 to 140 mm of rain on top of what has already accumulated. Peak rates of 25 to 40 mm/h in downpours. Rain easing from the west Thursday morning.
Impact: Threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips. Conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities.
Action: Do not enter floodwaters and avoid travel. Act quickly to self-evacuate if you see rising water. Be ready for power and communications outages. Preparedness advice.
Area: Gisborne from Tolaga bay northwards
Period: 13hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 9am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Expect a further 160 to 240 mm of rain on top of what has already accumulated. Peak rates of 25 to 40 mm/h in downpours.
Impact: Threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips. Conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities.
Action: Do not enter floodwaters and avoid travel. Act quickly to self-evacuate if you see rising water. Be ready for power and communications outages. Preparedness advice.
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Area: Tasman west of Mapua
Period: 14hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 10am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Expect 70 to 90 mm of rain. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h expected. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Area: Auckland and Great Barrier Island
Period: 6hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 2am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Expect a further 40 to 60 mm of rain on top of what has already accumulated, possibly more in the east and about Great Barrier Island, where peak rates of 25 to 40 mm/h in downpours are possible. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Area: Gisborne south of Tolaga Bay and Hawke's Bay
Period: 14hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 10am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Expect a further 70 to 90 mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h expected. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Waikato, Waitomo and Taupo
Period: 7hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 3am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Low chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Tasman and Nelson Districts east of about Mapua
Period: 14hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 10am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Low chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Buller and Grey Districts
Period: 13hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 9am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Canterbury and the Kaikōura District
Period: 17hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 1pm Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Auckland and Great Barrier Island
Period: 3hrs from 8pm - 11pm Wed, 21 Jan
Forecast: Easterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Low chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Waitomo and Taupo
Period: 7hrs from 8pm Wed, 21 Jan - 3am Thu, 22 Jan
Forecast: Easterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
- All information from MetService
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