MetService press release covering period of Friday 5 - Sunday 7 May 2023
MetService is warning that a slow-moving front will continue to deliver significant amounts of rain to already saturated northern and western parts of the North Island and the upper South Island through the weekend and beyond. Heavy rain in the North Island eases from Friday morning, and the focus of heavy rain turns to the upper South Island.
Northland, Waitomo, Taranaki, Tongariro National Park, Horowhenua, Kapiti, and Wellington are currently under Orange Heavy Rain warnings. Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough are also under Orange Heavy Rain warnings. Bullar is under a Heavy Rain watch.
MetService meteorologist Andrew James says, “This large amount of rain falling on already sodden ground has seen surface flooding in Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Northland, and other areas are likely to see the same, along with slips.”
Nelson and northern Marlborough come under Orange Heavy Rain Warning as the front sinks south. An extremely large amount of rain is forecast for the western Tasman Ranges, with 350-450mm of rain predicted in a 42 hour period up to midnight Saturday.
“These areas have seen a lot of rain recently. Further rain could cause significant impacts –think rising rivers, slips and surface flooding, and people are urged to stay up to date in case these warnings are upgraded,” says James.
“The system is slow moving because a large high-pressure system to the east stops the subtropical rainband from moving on. Rain sticks around through the weekend and into early next week, but snakes back and forth over the western parts of both islands, so the heaviest rain comes and goes.” continues James.
Wet weather looks set to continue through the weekend, with the bullseye of the wettest weather shifting away from central New Zealand towards the southern stretch of the South Island west coast on Sunday.
The tropical air delivering all this rain also brings warm and humid conditions, with much of the country experiencing unusually warm May temperatures. Several spots across the motu have even had their warmest May temperatures on record. These include Auckland, Hamilton, Whanganui and Queenstown, while Wellington Airport recorded its second warmest minimum temperature for May with 17.6°C on Wednesday.
MetService advise there will be significant rainfall: Heavy rainfall continues to affect parts of Aotearoa New Zealand. However, warnings are expected to stay at an Orange level. Please stay up to date with the forecasts and MetService weather warnings
Nelson Regional Forecast
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 27hrs from 8pm Fri, 5 May - 11pm Sat, 6 May
Area: Tasman from Motueka westwards
Forecast: Expect a further 130 to 170 mm about the ranges and 70 to 100 mm near the coast. This is in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h tonight. Please note that rain is expected to ease for a time Saturday morning.
Impact: Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
Issued: 8:05pm Fri 5 May
Next update: 10:00am Sat 6 May
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 25hrs from 8pm Fri, 5 May - 9pm Sat, 6 May
Area: Marlborough about and north of the Awatere Valley, also Nelson and Tasman south and east of Motueka
Forecast: Expect a further 130 to 180 mm of rain about the ranges, and 70 to 100 mm elsewhere, in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h overnight.
Impact: Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
Issued: 8:05pm Fri 5 May
Next update: 10:00am Sat 6 May
Heavy Rain Watch
Period: 43hrs from 8pm Fri, 5 May - 3pm Sun, 7 May
Area: Buller
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Please note that rain may clear for a time Saturday morning and afternoon.
Issued: 8:05pm Fri 5 May
Next update: 10:00am Sat 6 May
Forecast
FRIDAY 5 May
Rain with heavy falls. Northeasterlies, strong in exposed places.
Issued 5:52pm Fri 5 May
SATURDAY 6 May
Periods of rain with heavy falls, frequent in the north. Northerlies.
Issued 11:25am Fri 5 May
SUNDAY 7 May
Rain, with some heavy falls about the western ranges, easing to showers later. Northeasterlies.
Issued 12:14pm Fri 5 May
METSERVICE.
Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.
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