Storms Expected To Bring Heavy Rain To Many Parts

Storms Expected To Bring Heavy Rain To Many Parts

Severe Weather Warning Issued by MetService at 09:00pm 27-Feb-2004

STORMS EXPECTED TO BRING HEAVY RAIN TO MANY PARTS OF NEW ZEALAND THIS WEEKEND

A deep depression over the Tasman Sea is expected to move southeast and cross Fiordland and Otago late Saturday. The low and its associated front should bring a period of heavy rain to the north and west of both islands. Worst affected areas will be the Nelson ranges, also the high country from Mt Taranaki across to Mt Ruapehu and the ranges of Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne where between 150 and 250mm of rain is possible. This area includes the headwaters of the Whanganui and Rangitikei Rivers.

During Sunday another deep depression, formed from the remains of tropical cyclone "Ivy", should pass just to the east of Northland and Coromandel and then pass close to East Cape. A further burst of heavy rain is likely about the ranges between Gisborne and Bay of Plenty with total rainfalls of 250mm possible there for the whole event.

Strong or gale northerly winds are likely with the rain on Saturday. Gales associated with the ex-tropical cyclone on Sunday should be out over the sea to the east of the North Island, but a small change in the direction of movement of this low could bring damaging winds over parts of the east coast from Northland to Gisborne.

People in these areas should be on the alert for rising river levels and hazardous driving conditions and keep up to date with the latest forecasts.

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, NELSON, MARLBOROUGH,WELLINGTON, THE TARARUA RANGES, THE RANGES FROM MT TARANAKI ACROSS TO NORTHERN GISBORNE, WAIKATO, WAITOMO, TAUMARUNUI, TAUPO, BAY OF PLENTY, COROMANDEL PENINSULA, AUCKLAND, NORTHLAND FORECAST:

SOUTH ISLAND WEST COAST FROM MILFORD SOUND TO OTIRA

In the 24 hours from midnight Friday to midnight Saturday about 100mm of rain is likely, especially north of Franz Josef.

NELSON

In the 18 hours from 10pm Friday to 4pm Saturday, 200mm of rain is likely about the ranges, with 80 to 100mm possible elsewhere. Peak intensities of 30 to 40mm per hour are possible about the ranges in the morning.

MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS AND RICHMOND RANGES

In the 18 hours from 1am to 7pm Saturday, 100 to 150mm of rain is likely, with peak intensities of 25 to 30mm per hour late morning.

WELLINGTON

In the 9 hours from 8am to 5pm Saturday, 60mm of rain likely, especially about the northern hills.

THE TARARUA RANGES

In the 18 hours from 9am Saturday to 3am Sunday, 120 to 150mm of rain is likely about higher slopes with 80mm about lower slopes.

MT TARANAKI

In the 18 hours from 6am to midnight Saturday 150 to 200mm of rain is likely about the higher slopes and up to 100mm lower down. Peak intensities of 25 to 35mm per hour are possible about higher slopes Saturday afternoon or evening.

HILL COUNTRY FROM INLAND TARANAKI ACROSS TO MT RUAPEHU, ALSO TAUMARUNUI, WAITOMO WAIKATO AND TAUPO, INCLUDING THE HEADWATERS OF THE WHANGANUI AND RANGITIKEI RIVERS

In the 18 hours from 9am Saturday to 3am Sunday, 100mm of rain is likely, but up to 250mm is possible on the mountains, especially Mt Ruapehu. Peak intensities of 30mm per hour are possible about higher slopes from Saturday evening.

BAY OF PLENTY AND COROMANDEL PENINSULA

In the 24 hours from 6pm Saturday to 6pm Sunday, 120 to 150mm of rain is likely in the ranges and up to 100mm elsewhere. However, about the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty, a further 100mm is possible in the 6 hours from 6pm to midnight Sunday. Heaviest falls of 30mm per hour are possible.

AUCKLAND

In the 18 hours from 3pm Saturday to 9am Sunday, 80 to 100mm is likely about the Hunua and Waitakare Ranges and 60 to 80mm is possible elsewhere.

NORTHLAND

In the 18 hours from 3pm Saturday to 9am Sunday, 100 to 150mm of rain is likely.Peak intensities of 25 to 35mm per hour are possible overnight Saturday.

GISBORNE NORTH OF TOLAGA BAY

In 24 hours from 3am Sunday to 3am Monday, 180mm of rain is possible in the ranges and up to 100mm elsewhere.

FREEZING LEVEL: Above 3000 metres.

NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE 9:00am Saturday 28-Feb-2004

Forecast prepared by: Andy Downs

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

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