METSERVICE - Cyclone Gabrielle expected to bring significant severe weather to northern and central New Zealand

WHAT EFFECT WILL THE TROPICAL CYCLONE GABRIELLE HAVE ON TASMAN/NELSON

'METSERVICE SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK IMAGE' FOR TASMAN / NELSON MON 13 FEB TO TUE 14 FEB SEVERE GALES: E-SW CONFIDENCE HIGH - METSERVICE

After an intense weather system last August in the Nelson and Tasman region, understandably there is interest as to the possible effects of this coming weather system.

At this stage, the Nelson and Tasman areas should remain largely unaffected by rain, with some rainfall expected but none of which looks to reach warning criteria or have significant impacts to the area.

 

Winds could be something to watch a bit closer, however, as strong southeasterlies come though from the latter part of Monday into Tuesday. At this stage the Nelson and Tasman areas are in the area of high possibility of severe gales on the Severe Weather Outlook on our website https://www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-outlook

This Severe Weather Outlook states:

Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to move southeastwards out of the tropics and will affect New Zealand through Tuesday. This is likely to be a very significant adverse weather event, and Severe Weather Warnings and Watches are in force for many areas, including Heavy Swell Warnings.

On Monday and Tuesday there is High Confidence that east to southeast gales, then south to southwest gales, will become severe over the entire North Island and the upper South Island, as indicated on the chart.

There is also High Confidence that rainfall accumulations will meet warning criteria over Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa, and Moderate Confidence over Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taranaki, Taupo and Bay of Plenty.

On Tuesday, there is Moderate Confidence on Tuesday of significant heavy rain for Marlborough and Wellington.

Finally, there is High Confidence that easterly gales will become severe over the Chatham Islands later on Tuesday and Wednesday, accompanied by heavy northeast swell and sea.

MetService will be keeping a close eye on places expected to be affected and will be issuing Warnings and Watches accordingly, as well as expected impacts.

MetService Confidence ratings:

Low confidence:
a 20% likelihood (or 1 chance in 5) that the event will actually happen.
Moderate confidence:
a 40% likelihood (or 2 chances in 5) that the event will actually happen.
High confidence:
a 60% likelihood (or 3 chances in 5) that the event will actually happen.

MetService Issued 11 Feb 2023

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

Weather News Release

MetService monitoring developing tropical cyclone

6/2/2023

Covering period of Monday 6 - Thursday 9 February

Tropical Cyclone of interest north west of New Caledonia

After a week of severe weather for both the North and South Islands, MetService has now lifted all remaining severe weather watches and warnings across the country.

A high pressure system building to the west of the country is expected to bring more settled weather for the next few days, then a cold front moving up the east coast on Wednesday will bring some showers and cool the temperatures back down. 

MetService Meteorologist Jessie Owen says, “The front that moved up the country on Sunday has weakened and will clear the North Island tonight, taking with it the humid air which has been bringing heavy rain to northern areas and hot temperatures to the south. It should start to feel a bit cooler this week.” 

 All eyes are now on the tropics, where a tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to develop into a cyclone in the next few days. MetService meteorologists are monitoring this system closely and are posting daily updates via our Tropical Cyclone Activity page at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/tropical-cyclone-activity  

The potential tropical cyclone is expected to curve to the southeast later this week, then track south of New Caledonia and possibly towards the far north of New Zealand next weekend. If this system does pass close to the North Island, it will be another significant weather event potentially affecting vulnerable areas which are still recovering from recent severe weather.

Impacts for New Zealand will be highly dependent on the path the cyclone could take, but may include strong winds, heavy rain, and large swells on eastern coasts if it passes close to the North Island. It is important to emphasise that the cyclone’s path is still uncertain as the system hasn’t yet developed. Owen says “we will have a much better idea about the path this system will take, and any related severe weather, in another couple of days once it has formed.”  

 MetService will continue to monitor the development of this tropical low and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Should any severe weather be expected to impact New Zealand, more detailed advice will be provided in Outlooks, Watches and Warnings for severe weather via the MetService website at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home

Metservice

Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman.

SUNDAY - WEATHER WARNING AND WATCH FOR TASMAN

 

One weather warnings, and one weather watch for Tasman on Sunday

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

Period: 8hrs from 2pm - 10pm Sun, 5 Feb

Area: Tasman west of Motueka 

Forecast: Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain about the ranges, and lesser amounts nearer the coast. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h.

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: 9:17am Sat 4 Feb
Next update: 9:00pm Sat 4 Feb

MetService Area of Warning and Watch

Heavy Rain Watch

Period: 8hrs from 3pm - 11pm Sun, 5 Feb

Area: Marlborough Sounds, Rai Valley, and the Richmond and Bryant ranges.

Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Issued: 9:17am Sat 4 Feb
Next update: 9:00pm Sat 4 Feb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TASMAN REGIONAL FORECAST

TOMORROW 5 Feb

Showers increasing, then turning to rain in the afternoon, heavy at times. Rain easing in the evening. Northerlies, strong from midday and gale at times in exposed places, easing late.

Issued 11:26am Sat 4 Feb

MONDAY 6 Feb

Fine, apart from areas of morning cloud. Westerlies, easing in the evening.

Issued 9:51am Sat 4 Feb

MetService

Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency - Takata Hill - SH60

SH60 Tākaka Hill resurfacing work begins this Tuesday, 7 February 2023

Road Maintenance on  Tākaka Hill


3 February 2023 7:55 am | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Local residents and regular users of State Highway 60 over the Tākaka Hill need to be ready for delays as planned maintenance work is carried out on the route.

There will be resealing work done to parts of the road on both sides of the hill. Other maintenance work will also be undertaken, such as clearing water channels and fixing slips and guard rails

The highway will be subject to daytime stop/go traffic control from this Tuesday, 7 February to Tuesday, 21 February. These are likely to create 15-minute delays for traffic.

Then, between Sunday, 26 February and the morning of Friday, 17 March, there will also be night closures of the road, five days a week, (Sunday to Thursday nights) with a short opening around 1 am for queued traffic. The night closures end at 5:30 am on Friday mornings.

Because of the road's narrowness and the need to keep road crews safe, the road must be closed at night while this work is done. Closures also allow contractors to get work done much faster. The nature of the materials being worked with (eg asphalt), means some of this work has to be done during the day. The material can’t be laid successfully under colder night-time conditions.

Road users should expect and plan for delays while this work is being done. It is crucial drivers observe speed limits in road work areas and follow the instructions of contractors.

Waka Kotahi understands the road works will be inconvenient for residents and regular road users. However, this maintenance work is essential for keeping the highway resilient over the coming winter. We want to thank locals for their patience and understanding as these works are completed.

The roadworks are weather dependent and may be rescheduled.

Daytime Stop/Go traffic controls

• Day time stop/go traffic management will be in place from 7 to 21 February.
• It will run from 6 am to 6 pm.
• Drivers should plan ahead and expect short delays.

Night closures

These will run from 26 February to 17 March
The closures will be between 8 pm at night and 5:30 am the following morning
The road will open once each night around 1 am.
Vehicles travelling over the hill need to be at the Aaron Creek Road closure point at 12.30 am and the Riwaka Valley Road closure point by 1 am

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman

Sandbags available as a precaution on the on the West Coast

Sandbags available 

Hokitika

With an extended period of adverse weather expected over the next few days and into the long weekend, Westland District Council is making sandbags available as a precaution to businesses and residents in areas of Hokitika identified as likely to be worst affected by potential surface flooding and cars causing bow waves.

To assist people and reduce the likelihood of water entering premises, there will be pallets with sandbags available for use. 

West Coast Emergency Management advise if there is surface flooding, please avoid driving in these areas to reduce the bow waves sending water off the road and onto the pavements and surrounding premises.

West Coast Emergency Management

Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman.

Weather for Tasman

 

MetService - New set of warnings issued but not in the Upper South

2/2/2023

Covering period of Thursday 2 - Monday 6 February

MetService has issued a new set of Heavy Rain Warnings and Watches for further rain around Aotearoa as we head into Waitangi Weekend. 

The warm, humid air which played a part in record-breaking rain around Auckland last Friday is still bringing rain to our shores today (Thursday). MetService Orange Warnings for Heavy Rain are currently in force around western Bay of Plenty but also Westland south of Otira with Heavy Rain Watches for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, remaining Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and northern parts of Fiordland. Currently none of these are red warnings but there is still a risk of significant impacts with MetService Orange Warnings, especially when downpours and thunderstorms are involved so keeping up-to-date with the MetService forecast is advised.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris warns, “Rain falling onto already sodden ground will pool faster and impacts/delays should be expected where heavy rain falls but Saturday and Sunday will give a decent chance to dry out for recently impacted areas”

The west coast of South Island had a relatively dry January, but they are kicking off February with a run of rain from today through to Monday with a bit of respite on Saturday.

“This may come as welcome news to those on tank water in the region but with less rain than normal in January we might see a bit of debris end up on roads around Westland,” Ferris states.

The warm, humid air streaming in from the north is not only bringing rain to areas of Aotearoa New Zealand  but is continuing to  pump up temperatures around the south and east of  South Island. Temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s will be common from Blenheim down to Invercargill from today (Thursday) through Sunday and heat alerts will likely be issued for these hotter than usual temperatures. (Note: Heat Alerts are only issued two days in advance) 

“We’re forecasting Christchurch to exceed 30°C for three

consecutive days, which has happened before but only a handful of times,” informs Ferris, “in addition the overnight temperatures are well above average so there is little reprieve from the heat. We advise people to keep hydrated, seek shade, and check in with vulnerable members of your community”

From late on Saturday, we have our next widespread band of rain moving over the country from the west, starting in the southwest it spreads over  South Island before reaching  North Island during the second half of Sunday. It does move through rather quickly, but rain will linger into Monday, especially around the North Island, easing as the day progresses for most people.

“While a front is forecast to deliver rain in the second half of the long weekend it does bring in some cooler air which might be a relief for those struggling to sleep through the heat,” states Ferris.

Forecast for the Tasman Region

No Warnings or Watches for the Upper South but there are Warnings and Watches for the central and lower West of the South Island

Friday

 3 FEB

Occasional rain, clearing in the afternoon as cloud breaks up. Northerlies, easing in the evening.

Issued: 9:33pm Thu 2 Feb

Saturday

 4 FEB

Mostly cloudy. Isolated afternoon and evening showers. Northerlies.

Issued: 9:51am Thu 2 Feb

Sunday

 5 FEB

Occasional rain, becoming persistent in the morning and possibly heavy later. Northerlies, turning westerly late.

Issued: 11:10am Thu 2 Feb

Monday

 6 FEB

Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Southwesterlies developing, turning southeasterly later.

Issued: 11:10am Thu 2 Feb

From Thursday 2 Feb to Monday 6 Feb Rain, Pressure and Wind. MetService.

West Coast Weather Warning Met Service

MetService

Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman.

New Bluebridge Ferry sails into Wellington

The new Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry MV Connemara

Tasman and Nelson 

dog owners now have a choice when crossing the Strait with their pet doggies

Bluebridge has a new addition to it’s Cook Strait Ferry fleet which arrived in Wellington on the 29 January 2023 with a splendid welcome from the Port of Wellington tugboats after it’s 40-day journey from France.

MV Connemara, after a lick of paint, has traveled through the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal, past the Galápagos Islands into the Pacific Ocean, then on to it’s new home in Wellington, to undertake a new role across Cook Strait for Bluebridge

The ship is expected to join Bluebridge’s working fleet this month which will be the largest, fastest and newest ship in the fleet.

Connemara being welcomed into Wellington Harbour

The purchase of the ship will expand the capacity of Bluebridge to service increased demand for freight and give some surprises to the travelling public.

The ship offers 120 private cabins, some of which are dog friendly as many passengers like to travel with their dogs and have them close by when travelling. Connemara has been designed so passengers can easily take their canine pets on board and there are special facilities for dogs on board.

Connemara is an Italian-built Visentini class vessel which was launched on 18 December 2006. The roll-on roll-off ferry was first chartered to Balearia for services in Spain, where the ship started operating between Barcelona and Palma on 20 May 2007.  

Since then the ship has been operating in Europe and most recently on 16 January 2018, Brittany Ferries announced it would be chartering Connemara to sail between Ireland, Spain and France.  

The Connemara sailing under Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries were severely economically affected during the covid epidemic and this is possibly why we have Connemara on our shores now, but of course we once again have a second hand vessel for a dangerous stretch of water.

The new ship has a capacity for 518 passengers, 120 freight vehicles, 195 cars, offers a limited number of designated dog-friendly cabins, allows for easier passenger access to vehicles, free WiFi and movies, and freshly prepared meals.

Connemara takes her name from a famous Irish region located in Galway.

What a welcome to Wellington!

From the reaction on social media people with doggies are pleased that they can take their pets on board with them without leaving their doggies in their vehicles.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.