A further period of heavy rain

MetService News Release
Friday, 20 Sep 2013

A further period of heavy rain

There's a risk of heavy, and sometimes thundery, rain to parts of New Zealand as a complex low crosses the South Island this weekend, and a low of tropical origin approaches the north of the North Island early next week.

MetService Media and Communications Meteorologist Daniel Corbett commented,"Keep the rain coats handy as a complex weather system slowly rotates bands of heavy rain across New Zealand this weekend and into next week, a bit like spokes spinning around a bicycle wheel"

The predominant northwest wind flow means northern and western areas will bear the brunt of the rain this weekend.

MetService have issued a Severe Weather Warning for the Nelson and Taranaki ranges for heavy rain, and a Watch for many other places from Fiordland up to Bay of Plenty.

By early next week there will be a brief lull in the persistent rain until a rapidly deepening low will head down towards New Zealand from the tropics. This low is likely to be packed with moisture and could bring a risk of coastal flooding along with strong winds, heavy rain and large easterly swells. "This may be a significant event for northern New Zealand, and it will pay to stay up to date" added Corbett.

The latest forecasts and any watches/warnings can be found at metservice.com or on mobile devices at m.metservice.com. You can also follow our updates on MetService TV, @metservice on Twitter and at blog.metservice.com.

ENDS

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