Author Topic: Rain for much of New Zealand this Week 8th - 11th March 2017 (Read 4937 times)

JennyLeez · « **on:** March 06, 2017, 04:18:45 PM »

A slow-moving low over the north Tasman Sea directs moist, strong to gale northeasterlies over northern New Zealand from Wednesday through to at least Saturday. This northeast flow will bring periods of rain to the upper North Island through to the weekend, which may be heavy at times. A Severe Weather Watch has already been issued for this event, and it s likely some regions will be upgraded to a Warning as the event unfolds.

There is high confidence rainfall accumulations will reach warning criteria about Northland, Great Barrier Island, Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

On Wednesday, there is low confidence of a period of heavy rain for Gisborne,and the central North Island high country across to Waitomo and Taranaki,including the headwaters of the Whanganui River. For Gisborne, there is low confidence the heavy rain will continue into Thursday.

Meanwhile, as a ridge of high pressure builds over the South Island on Wednesday, strong to gale south to southeast winds affecting central New Zealand ease. The ridge remains over the South Island during Thursday and Friday, then should retreat southwards on Saturday allowing the northerly rain affecting northern New Zealand to spread further south.

On Saturday, there is low confidence of warnable amounts of rain for the central North Island high country across to Waitomo and Taranaki, including the headwaters of the Whanganui River, plus Nelson, and the ranges of Buller and Westland.

Issued: 2:36pm Monday 6 Mar 2017 Metservice.com

JennyLeez · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2017, 10:14:12 PM »

A low and associated fronts over the Tasman Sea are moving southeastwards, and will bring rain to much of the North Island. The heaviest falls are likely to be in Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne north of Tolaga Bay. Up to 170mm of rain could accumulate in a relatively brief period, with localised thundery downpours. Please note, that a Watch is in force for significant heavy rain for Northland, Auckland, Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Gisborne south of Tolaga Bay and northern Hawkes Bay. The initial burst of rain should ease during Wednesday, but further rain is expected during Thursday and Friday.

Full Warning:
http://www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-warnings

JennyLeez · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2017, 11:04:05 AM »

A weather system that has dropped a month's worth of rain in a night over the top of the North Island has more in store.

MetService warned the heavy rain front bringing the downpours would drench the northern part of the country and bring and severe thunderstorms until early afternoon on Wednesday.

It issued a severe weather warning for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Civil Defence says the torrential rain overnight has caused the worst weather event in a decade, with slips isolating some communities and floodwaters a metre deep across the road. The Coromandel Peninsula is effectively cut off due to severe flooding along the eastern and western side near Thames.

At least 200 Stanley Bay School students and parents have been rescued from Camp Adair in Hunua without their bags, and are sheltering at a nearby school.

A large part of the Coromandel Peninsula is cut off, after the road was closed between Kopu and Thames.

Fire crews respdonded to many cases of flooding overnight, with the Hunua, Clevedon, Kawakawa Bay, Maraetai and Beachlands areas strongest hit.

Electricity was cut to about 900 homes around the area.

About 800 houses in South Auckland have been without power on Wednesday morning, with Vector saying the network may not be restored until noon.

More from stuff.co.nz:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/90174663/flooding-slips-and-more-heavy-rain-slam-top-of-the-country

Popes Rd in Takanini, Auckland

JennyLeez · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2017, 11:25:45 AM »

11.00am

A total of 12 schools in the Auckland and Coromandel/Thames area are closed today.

Police are urging motorists to stay off "water-logged or flooded" roads on the Coromandel Peninsula. Senior Sergeant Dean Anderson says: "More rain is forecast for the rest of the day and high tide is still to come. The situation is just going to get worse.

Residents in Tairua, Pauanui, Oneman and Whangamata are being asked by Thames-Coromandel District Council to not flush their toilets due to water treatment stations being under pressure from power outages

More than 3700 houses across Auckland are without power according to Vector. The bulk of the cuts are in Clevedon.

A police car has been hit by a flash flood and washed off the road into a swollen creek, stranding an officer on top of the vehicle.

A number of communities have been cut off on the Coromandel Peninsula due to the flooding. They include Kaiaua, Whiritoa, Onemana, Opoutere, Whangamata and Pauanui. Three houses have been evacuated in Whangamata. At Onemana two houses have been damaged by slips. At Kaiaua up to 10 houses have been flooded.

A farmer has lost a good number of his 2000 sheep as the rising flood waters "wiped out" low lying paddocks.

Waiheke Island has experienced widespread flooding and slips. Power out in some areas.

Cruise liner diverted from Tauranga because of the weather.

Rain is expected to stick around the flood affected northeast of the North Island tomorrow and Friday with the heaviest falls expected in Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.
Fresh thunderstorm warnings issued across the upper North Island, including western areas of Northland. Already a month's worth of rain has fallen in 24 hours.