Heavy Rain, Gusts & Gales Wednesday into Thursday 13 May 2015

[NZLW]

SEVERE WEATHER WATCH FOR SOUTHLAND, OTAGO, CANTERBURY, BULLER, NELSON, MARLBOROUGH, WELLINGTON, WAIRARAPA, TARANAKI, TAIHAPE, TAUMARUNUI, WANGANUI.
ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 0951hrs 13-May-2015

BURST OF HEAVY RAIN AND NORTH TO NORTHWEST GALES TODAY AND THURSDAY

A trough is expected to bring heavy rain and gales to some exposed parts of the South Island today (Wednesday), then the North Island on Thursday.

A warning for heavy rain is currently in force for Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound, Westland south of Otira, the Canterbury and Otago Headwaters, Taranaki, Tararua Range, eastern Bay of Plenty and the Raukumara Range.

A warning for severe gales is currently in force for the Canterbury high country.

This Watch is for the possibility of severe gales in the following areas:

Inland parts of SOUTHLAND and OTAGO: Severe northwest gales are possible in exposed places this morning and afternoon.

BANKS PENINSULA: Northwest gales are expected today, easing in the evening. These gales could become severe in exposed places.

WELLINGTON and WAIRARAPA: Northwest gales are expected today, easing at night. These gales may become severe in exposed places, such as about the Rimutaka Hill Road. In addition, northerly gales return to Wellington for a time Thursday morning and early afternoon, which may also become severe.

TARANAKI, WANGANUI, TAIHAPE: Severe northerly gales are possible in exposed places Thursday afternoon.

This Watch is for the possibility of heavy rain in the following areas:

BULLER and the ranges of NELSON: Bursts of heavy rain are expected from this evening (Wednesday) until late Thursday afternoon, amounts may approach warning criteria in localised areas.

MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS and WELLINGTON: Bursts of heavy rain are expected from early Thursday morning to Thursday evening, locally heavy downpours are possible which may approach warning criteria.

TAIHAPE and TAUMARUNUI: Period of heavy rain expected Thursday afternoon and early evening, which may approach warning criteria about high country areas,especially Tongariro National Park.

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[NZLW]

A trough embedded in a strong moist northwest flow is expected to move slowly east over the North Island during Thursday and Friday morning. The heaviest falls are expected about Mt Taranaki, the Tararua Range (including the Kapiti Coast and Horowhenua) and the eastern Bay of Plenty ranges, where 100 to 150mm could accumulate.