Covering period of Tuesday 21st April - Thursday 23th April

• Red Heavy Rainfall Warnings in both Wellington and Wairarapa downgraded to Orange Heavy Rain Warnings - slips, surface flooding, and rising rivers remain key hazards.
• Since 2pm yesterday (Monday), we have seen around 100mm of rain around Wainuiomata and Kaitoke Valley and other areas within the Hutt Valley.
• Hawke’s Bay south of Tutira has been upgraded to an Orange Heavy Rain Warning, valid until 9am Wednesday with a further 80 to 110mm of rain expected about those ranges and coastal hills.
• Strong Wind Watch for Wellington continues through to 9pm tonight (Tuesday).
• Dry settled weather on the horizon from Thursday.

This morning at 9:50am, the Red Heavy Rainfall warnings in both Wellington and Wairarapa were downgraded to Orange Heavy Rain Warnings after the period of heaviest rain finished in the region. However, with more rain expected in the region today, sodden soils increase the risk for slips and local flooding remains an issue.

MetService Meteorologist Katie Lyons advises, “Orange Heavy Rain Warnings are issued for conditions that have the ability to cause impacts such as surface flooding and slips and therefore should still be taken seriously. Especially given the already saturated soils and high rivers.”

To summarise what we have seen thus far, and what can be expected further:

Wellingtonand the HuttValley, excluding Porirua:

Since 2pm yesterday (Monday), we have seen around 100mm of rain around Wainuiomata and Kaitoke Valley and other areas within the Hutt Valley, with lesser amounts toward the south of Wellington.

The newly issued Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Wellington, excluding Porirua, continues to 6pm today (Tuesday). We expect a further 40 to 60mm of rainfall about the eastern hills, with lesser amounts elsewhere.

Wairarapa:

Since 2pm yesterday (Monday) we have seen between 100-140mm of rain in the Tararua Ranges, over 80mm in Masterton, and lesser amounts elsewhere.

The newly issued Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Wairarapa, runs to 9pm today (Tuesday). We expect a further 50 to 70mm of rainfall about the ranges and coastal hills, with lesser amount elsewhere.

“We are still in the midst of this event, and it is important to remember that even a small amount of rain on already saturated ground could lead to more slips”, says Lyons.

This was thefifthRedWarningeventMetService has issued this year, andthe24thRed Warning weather event since the highest alert level was introduced back in May 2019.

In relation to the same rainband system, we have an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the Tararua District through to midnight tonight (Tuesday), with 70 to 90mm expected about the ranges and coastal hills, and lesser amounts elsewhere. This is also in addition to the rain that has already fallen.

Hawke’s Bay south of Tutira has been upgraded from a Yellow Heavy Rain Watch to an Orange Heavy Rain Warning, valid until 9am Wednesday. There is a further 80 to 110mm of rain expected about those ranges and coastal hills, with lesser amounts elsewhere. A Heavy Rain Watch is in place for Northern Hawke’s Bay, including the Wairoa District, from 9pm Tuesday through midday Wednesday.

“The focus is really about the ranges and coastal hills, meaning warning amounts are unlikely near the coast north of Cape Kidnappers”, says Lyons.

This system will track further north today and tomorrow, gradually easing into Thursday, with dry settled weather on the horizon as a ridge of high pressure begins to take hold.

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