Severe Weather Alert: Atmospheric River to Impact Major Regions

A powerful atmospheric river is set to deliver heavy rain and strong winds across New Zealand, with 23 weather alerts already in place ahead of the incoming storm. Forecasters warn that two consecutive weather systems will target Northland, Auckland, and the upper South Island, bringing significant challenges for residents and infrastructure.

Widespread Weather Warnings and Watches

As of today, 23 weather warnings and watches are active across both islands, including 10 orange heavy rain warnings. This marks the return of heavy rainfall after a period of relative calm, with the first significant impacts expected overnight and continuing into the early hours of tomorrow.

MetService Issues Strong Warnings

MetService's head of weather, Heather Keats, emphasized that today would be the last day of clear skies for many. She warned that heavy rain and strong winds would sweep in overnight, with the first gusts expected in Northland by 5pm and rain starting from 8pm. The storm is expected to persist for 12 hours without respite.

Regional Impacts and Flood Risks

Auckland will experience wind gusts of up to 90km/h starting at 10pm tonight, with rain beginning at 3am and continuing until 10pm on Tuesday. The Bay of Plenty is under a heavy rain warning, with up to 180mm of rain expected, raising concerns about flooding and landslides.

Tasman and Marlborough Under Orange Alert

The Tasman and Marlborough regions are also under an orange heavy rain warning, with 16 hours of continuous rain forecast from 2am until 6pm. MetService has highlighted the risk of rapidly rising rivers, flooding, and landslides, with a moderate chance of upgrading to a red warning.

Past Flooding Leaves Lingering Concerns

Recent flooding in the Nelson and Tasman regions has left homes uninhabitable, roads damaged, and properties submerged. Local authorities described the event as a “one-in-100-year” occurrence, and while the water table is not at previous levels, the potential for further damage remains high.

Transport and Safety Advisories

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has urged motorists to turn on headlights and increase following distances, especially in the Tasman and Nelson regions. With floodwater still present in some areas, drivers are advised to exercise caution and prepare for unexpected hazards.

Next Weather System on the Horizon

Keats noted that the current system will move out of the country by Wednesday, but another low-pressure system is expected to arrive from Thursday to Friday, potentially bringing more severe weather to Auckland, Northland, and Gisborne.

Temperature Outlook

Despite the storm activity, temperatures are expected to rise this week, with places like Whangārei seeing temperatures drop only to 15°C. However, some regions awoke to a “mixed bag” of temperatures, with parts of the country experiencing sub-zero conditions.

*Note: This article is based on information from a third-party source and has been independently verified and rewritten for clarity and accuracy.*