ISSUED BY MetService AT
9:08 am 28-Dec-2010

The Very Heavy Rain And Severe Gale Northwesterlies Affecting Many Parts Of The Country Expected To Ease During The Day

A cold front lying over the northern South Island at 9am will sweep quickly across the North Island this afternoon.

A very strong northwesterly flow ahead of the front is bringing very heavy rain and gale or severe gale northwesterlies to the northern South Island and many parts of the North Island. The rain and wind should both ease during today.

In Buller, Nelson and Marlborough, heavy rain will bring another 30-50mm of rain this morning, while central and southern North Island areas are expected to recieve a further 100mm before the rain eases around midday. Heavy rain is also forecst for the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty, with 100mm falling by late evening.

In Canterbury and Otago, the southerly rain will continue into the late afternoon or evening, with another 30mm of rain expected in some areas.

The very heavy rain which has fallen over central and southern New Zealand in the last 24 hours has brought high rivers levels in many places, and river levels will continue to rise this morning. There may also be slips, surface flooding and poor visibility in the heavy rain making driving conditions hazardous.

The severe gale northwesterlies affecting central New Zealand will also ease by midday, but further gusts of 130-150km/hr are expected about Wellington this morning, while the central and eastern North Island from Taupo and Gisborne southwards could see gusts of 120km/hr in exposed places. Gusts of this strength can cause damage to trees, powerlines and insecure buildings, as well as make driving conditions hazardous especially for motorcyclists and high sided vehicles.

By the end of today the front should lie east of New Zealand, and all severe weather conditions should be over.

HEAVY RAIN WARNING

AREA/S AFFECTED

Westland north of Franz Josef
FORECAST

The heavy rain is easing, however between 9am and midday today (Tuesday), a further 20-40mm of rain is likely, especially in the ranges.

FREEZING LEVEL: Above 3000 metres.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Otago
FORECAST

The heavy rain about the main divide has now eased, and the rain is gradually easing elsewhere, however a further 15-25mm of rain is likely in some areas.

FREEZING LEVEL: About 3000 metres.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Headwaters of the main Canterbury lakes and rivers. Also for the Mackenzie Basin and inland areas of South Canterbury.
FORECAST

The rain has now eased about the main divide, and is gradually easing elsewhere, however a further 20-30mm is still likely about the divide and South Canterbury until this evening (Tuesday).

FREEZING LEVEL: Above 3000 metres.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Buller
FORECAST

The heaviest rain has now eased, however in the 6 hours between 9am and 3pm, a further 25-40mm of rain is still possible in some places.

FREEZING LEVEL: About 3000 metres.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Nelson
FORECAST

The very heavy rain will ease this morning, however in the hour or two from 9am to 11am today (Tuesday), 25-40mm of rain is still likely in some places.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Marlborough
FORECAST

The heavy rain will ease this morning, however in the two hours between 9am and 11am this morning (Tuesday), 25-40mm is still likely in some places, mainly about the Richmond Ranges and Marlborough Sounds.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Wellington and the Kapiti Coast
FORECAST

The rain will ease around the middle of the day, however in the 4 hours from 9am to 1pm today (Tuesday), 30-40mm can be expected.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Tararua Range
FORECAST

The heavy rain will ease this afternoon, however in the 8 hours from 9am to 5pm today, 75-100mm can be expected. Heaviest falls will be this morning with rainfall rates of 30-40mm/hr at times.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Taranaki
FORECAST

The heavy rain will ease this afternoon, however in the 5 hours from 9am to 2pm today (Tuesday), a furtehr 75-100mm of rain can be expected on Mt Taranaki, and 30-40mm elsewhere (mainly north and east of the mountain). Rainfall rates will reach 30-40mm/hr on the mountain.

AREA/S AFFECTED

The central North Island high country from Te Kuiti to Tongariro National Park.
FORECAST

Heavy rain is expected until mid afternoon. In the 6 hours from 9am to 3pm today (Tuesday), expect up to 100mm of rain about the mountains of Tongariro National Park, and 40-60mm elsewhere.

AREA/S AFFECTED

The ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty (east of Kawerau)
FORECAST

Periods of heavy rain are expected today. In the 12 hours from 9am to 9pm today (Tuesday), up to 100mm of rain is expected in some places.

STRONG WIND WARNING

AREA/S AFFECTED

Marlborough, excluding the Sounds
FORECAST

The very strong northwesterlies should ease later this morning, however northwesterlies may still gust to 120km/hr in exposed places until late morning.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds
FORECAST

The severe gale northerlies should ease towards midday, however further gusts of 130-150km/hr are expected in exposed places this morning, with the strongest wind gusts up to about 11am.

AREA/S AFFECTED

Wairarapa
FORECAST

Severe gale northwesterlies should ease early this afternoon, with gust of 130km/hr in exposed places until that time.

AREA/S AFFECTED

The central and lower North Island from Taranaki to Taupo down to Kapiti
FORECAST

Northerly wind gusts should peak late this morning, before easing early afternoon. Gusts of 120km/hr are possible in exposed places until early this afternoon (Tuesday).

AREA/S AFFECTED

Gisborne and Hawkes Bay
FORECAST

North to northwest gales are expected to strengthen this morning, then ease late afternoon or early evening. Gusts of 130km/hr are possible in exposed places during this time, especially near the ranges.

WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE

HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS HAVE BEEN LIFTED FOR:
Fiordland

The heavy rain is easing.

HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS HAVE BEEN LIFTED FOR:
Westland south of Franz Josef.

The heavy rain is easing.

STRONG WIND WARNINGS HAVE BEEN LIFTED FOR:
Inland North Canterbury

Northwesterly winds have eased.

NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE
9:00 pm Tuesday 28-Dec-2010

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