Heavy Rain And Gales Easing Overnight

Severe Weather Warning
Issued by MetService at 08:30pm 19-Feb-2004

HEAVY RAIN AND GALES EASING OVERNIGHT

An active front is moving over the country producing a spell of heavy rain in many western areas from Westland to northwest Nelson and in the west of the North Island from Wellington to southern Waikato. Rainfalls in some parts of the ranges in these areas could amount to around 100mm in about a 6 hour period with lesser amounts of 30 to 50mm in some lower lying areas west of the ranges. In the west of the South Island the rain has eased in Fiordland and should ease elsewhere by midnight. In the southwest of the North Island the rain should ease soon after midnight as the front moves away.

People in these areas are advised to watch for rising river levels in view of the recent heavy rains.

In addition, northwest winds are becoming strong ahead of the front,with a brief burst of severe gales gusting to 120 km/h from Wellington to southern Hawkes Bay and over the hill country in western areas from Taranaki to Taihape.Wind gusts of this strength could cause damage to trees, power lines and small structures and make driving conditions hazardous.

FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND FORECAST CHARTS PLEASE GO TO http://www.metservice.co.nz/maps/index.asp

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS FOLLOWS:

HEAVY RAIN WARNING.

AREA/S AFFECTED: THE SOUTH ISLAND WEST COAST

THE TARARUA RANGES

THE RUAHINE RANGES

THE HIGH COUNTRY FROM TAIHAPE TO INLAND WANGANUI

TARANAKI

THE HILLS FROM LAKE TAUPO TO TAUMARUNUI

FORECAST:

THE RANGES FROM ARTHURS PASS TO NORTHWEST NELSON

In the 4 hours from 8pm to midnight Thursday a further 40 to 60 mm possible with peak intensities of 10 to 15mm per hour.

THE TARARUA RANGES

In the 5 hours from 8pm Thursday to 1am Friday a further 50 to 70mm is possible on higher slopes with peak intensities of 30mm per hour. On lower lying slopes to the west up to 40mm is possible and 15 to 25mm near the coast.

THE RUAHINE RANGES AND THE HILL COUNTRY FROM TAIHAPE TO INLAND WANGANUI

In the 6 hours from about 8pm today to 2am Friday, a short burst of heavy rain with 50 to 70mm possible. Peak intensities may briefly reach 25mm per hour.Nearer the coast 15 to 25mm possible.

TARANAKI

In the 5 hours from about 8pm Thursday to 1am Friday a further 70 to 100mm possible on higher slopes of Mt Taranaki. In lower lying areas of northern Taranaki and the hill country to the east 50 to 70mm possible from 8pm Thursday to 2am Friday.

THE HILL COUNTRY FROM LAKE TAUPO TO TAUMARUNUI

In the 6 hours from 11pm Thursday to 5am Friday 50 to 70mm possible with peak intensities of 20mm per hour.

STRONG WIND WARNING.

AREA/S AFFECTED: OVER AND EAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND HIGH COUNTRY FROM TARANAKI AND HAWKES BAY SOUTHWARDS TO WELLINGTON

FORECAST:

FOR WELLINGTON WAIRARAPA SOUTHERN HAWKES BAY AND THE WESTERN HILL COUNTRY AREAS FROM TARANAKI TO TAIHAPE

Northwesterlies rising to gale in exposed places this evening, and may rise to severe gale briefly overnight with gusts to 120 kilometre/h in some places.

WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE

HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS. HAVE BEEN LIFTED FOR: THE RANGES FROM NORTHERN FIORDLAND TO ARTHURS PASS AND FOR THE HEADWATERS OF THE OTAGO AND CANTERBURY LAKES AND RIVERS FROM LAKE WAKATIPU TO THE WAIMAKARIRI RIVER

Rain is now easing in these areas and a further 20mm is possible in the two hours from 8pm to 10pm.

NO FURTHER WARNINGS WILL BE ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT FOR THE ABOVE AREAS.

NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE

9:00am Friday 20-Feb-2004

Forecast prepared by: Erick Brenstrum

For further information after 9pm contact Duty Forecaster Gerard Barrow A service provided through a contract with the Crown

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