METSERVICE PRESS RELEASE

Tropical moisture leaves New Zealand with a bang

8/05/2023

Tropical air and all its moisture moves off mid-week but MetService warns there is a lot of rain to come before it departs.  Then a cold front ushers in wintery weather.

The feed of air from the tropics which brought warm temperatures to Aotearoa/New Zealand and heavy rain to western and northern areas over the past week is set to depart.  However, before it moves away an intense period of rain and thunderstorms is expected to move quickly across Aotearoa on Tuesday, affecting already sodden western and northern areas of both islands. 

MetService Meteorologist Jessie Owen says, “The band of rain is currently lying over the West Coast of the South Island. It will reinvigorate today into a very active system so when it moves back across the country tomorrow it will bring a burst of very heavy rain to those same areas that have been affected over the last week. ”

Heavy Rain Warnings and Watches are in place for northern and western parts of both islands, the same places which have already seen large accumulations of rain over the last week. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Northland, and Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula will come under thunderstorm watches as well. People are urged to stay up to date with the watches and warnings here bit.ly/AllWarnings which are updated routinely every day mid-morning and in the evening.

The rain band will be moving quicker this time around, so most regions will only see a few hours of wet weather. It will however be very intense rainfall and there is the potential for localised torrential rainfall rates with thunderstorms. Owen says, “This very heavy rain will be falling on already saturated ground, so impacts such as surface flooding, rising rivers, and slips are likely.” 

Following the exit of the tropical air, a low-pressure system from the Tasman Sea and a cold front southwest of New Zealand both reach the country on Wednesday. This drops temperatures significantly as far north as Kaitaia, and brings further rain and strong winds, as well as snow to low levels. Snow is expected to lower to about 400 metres over the South Island on Wednesday, and about 800m over the central North Island on Thursday. 

Owen says, “This colder air is expected to spread right up the country, bringing a distinctly wintery feel. Wellingtonians should only expect a maximum of 10°C on Thursday, five degrees lower than the expected low of 15°C overnight Monday.”  This will be a very noticeable change after a mild start to the month.

MetService

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

Tasman Police urge caution in heavy rain hitting the region

 Caution urged on roads in Tasman District

Friday, 5 May 2023 - 10:02pm | Tasman

Tasman Police are asking motorists to stay off the roads as heavy rain hits the region. 

Police have received a number of reports of flooding, trees down and slips from across the region. A number of roads are reported to be impassable, especially in the Riwaka area.

People are asked to stay home if possible, but if you must travel, drive to the conditions and allow extra time to get to your destination.

Plan ahead of time with Waka Kotahi's Journey Planner: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner.

Police Media Centre.

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

Weather News Release - FRIDAY 5 MAY

 More heavy rain for sodden western areas of Aotearoa New Zealand

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

See all MetService 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.

Be prepared as heavy rainfall forecast for Nelson Tasman region

 

August 20 2022 flooding

Nelson Tasman Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group -

Public information release to Nelson and Tasman 4 May 2023

Nelson Tasman residents should prepare for heavy rainfall that may hit the region on Thursday night through to Saturday afternoon. Forecasts are currently estimating over 250mm to 350mm of cumulative rainfall in some catchments over 42-45 hours. 

Even though the path of the weather may change, Nelson Tasman Civil Defence and the region's Mayors are encouraging people to be ready.

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith is recommending people prepare now.

“These rainfall forecasts are sufficiently serious to be concerned. We should prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
 
"Make sure you have a plan and check on your neighbours or loved ones to be ready for whatever happens. If the weather hits during the day, think about how you will get home or pick up your children from school. We want everyone to be safe if this bad weather does hit.
 
“I was first briefed on Wednesday night, had an hour-long Teams session yesterday with the full Civil Defence Emergency Management team and wish to assure the community that we are well prepared if this develops into a major event.”

Tasman Mayor Tim King reiterated the need to be ready and safe.
“Our Emergency Management team are monitoring the event, and are on standby if required.

“I encourage people to make sure they are ready. Our rural support networks are already contacting farmers to make sure stock are safely out of flood zones. For any tourists to our region, we strongly recommend they stay away from rivers, as they could rise rapidly depending on the intensity of the rain."

It is also recommended that people avoid travelling during heavy rainfall and to keep the roads clear. This will allow first responders and emergency services to respond quickly if needed. Waka Kotahi will be providing updates on the State Highway network.

Are you ready?

• Keep up to date with MetService weather forecasts.
• Is your emergency kit up to date? Make sure you have food and water to last three days, and a battery-powered radio to stay informed.
• Do you have a plan? What would happen if the heavy rainfall happens during the day or at night? Make sure you are ready if the weather did turn bad.
• Check on your neighbours and anyone who might need your help.
• Put safety first. Don’t take any chances.
• In an emergency, call 111.

Go to http://getready.co.nz/ for more tips on how to prepare.

Stay informed during an emergency. Listen to the radio and follow Nelson Tasman Civil Defence, Tasman District Council or Nelson City Council Facebook pages. Download the Antenno app from Google Play or the App Store to receive updates on your phone.

More information:
www.metservice.com/
www.facebook.com/nelsontasmancivildefenceandemergencymanagement
www.facebook.com/nelsoncitycouncil
www.facebook.com/TasmanDistrictCouncil
www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland
getready.govt.nz

Nelson Tasman Emergency Management.

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman

RATES HIKE IMMINENT

When you pay rates is it going here?

It will take a few minutes of your time to get the 9.06% increase in YOUR rates reduced.

The proposed Tasman District Council increase in rates is more than double the 4.04% budgeted in the Council’s long term plan.

Do you want to pay the increase of 9.06% on your rates?

 

What can YOU do about it?

You need to have your say at:  shape.tasman.govt.nz/annual-plan  

Statistically, you won’t say boo, but only chatter on Facebook where your comments will disappear into thin air and won’t be noted by Council, unless you go to the correct link above.

Council admits itself, in the preamble to the long term plan, that people are less engaged in Council affairs than before and engagement is declining further.

Council relies on YOU to be engaged in their consultation processes as they make the decisions for you from the information they receive from consultation. If no one bothers to take part in the consultation process for community decisions then all Council receives are submissions from pressure groups and others who are not representative of the general population.

Council research has consistently shown that those who make a submission to the Council are not representative of the general public. This is reflected in Council’s recent resident survey results, which showed that only half of Tasman residents were happy with Council’s methods of consultation.

Council public engagement has many problems engaging with youth, migrants, specific communities in Tasman, and renters. Many people feel that decisions have already been made when they are consulted. Analysis also shows that engagement is geographically skewed in Tasman. For example, 20% of submissions to the Council on one consultation came from Golden Bay despite only making up 10% of Tasman’s population.

What are we going to do about this? It will only take a snippet of time from our busy lives to connect to the website above and comment on the rates increase. I don’t want the rates to stay at a 9.06% increase myself, too many goods and services are going up. A major increase like this will be financially crippling for pensioners, low income earners, tenants who’s rents will increase and businesses who have just gone through a crippling pandemic and the country is just about facing a depression. 

YOU have control here in this instance, but you have to go to the website and put your comments down.

Don’t Just Comment On Facebook.

Council is proposing some reductions to minimise the rates increase, but don’t rely on it happening. You must put a comment on their website asap as the consultation process closes at the end of April.

Editor

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman

Fonterra

 

Fonterra Takaka

Fonterra taking further steps to decarbonise and lift efficiency

Fonterra is continuing to progress its decarbonisation work with the announcement of another site transitioning from coal and the installation of a heat pump and solar thermal system.  

 

The Co-operative will convert its coal boilers at its Hautapu site to wood pellets and install a heat pump at its Palmerston North milk processing site that supplies the local market. Both projects have recieved support from  the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) Process Heat Contestable Fund.

 

Fonterra Chief Operating Officer Fraser Whineray says the Co-operative is commercially focused on reducing emissions.

“There are a number of solutions we’re using to decarbonise our operations and these two projects are a good example of different technologies available.”

 

Once complete in early 2024 the Hautapu site will reduce our carbon emissions by a forecast 15,785 tonnes per annum - the equivalent of taking about 6,500 cars off New Zealand’s roads.

 

The heat pump at the Palmerston North site will convert wasted heat from the refrigeration system into a heat source. This will reduce the amount of natural gas needed for process heat. The site will also generate additional heat via a solar thermal plant.

 

“This GIDI co-funding will help the Co-operative progress two emission reduction projects ahead of time. It will help us continue to make progress towards our target of reducing emissions by 30% across all our manufacturing operations by 2030 (from a 2018 baseline), on the way to net zero by 2050, and transition out of coal by 2037” says Mr Whineray.

 

Fonterra is receiving up to $2.5million in co-funding to complete the work at Hautapu and $425,000 for the Palmerston North site project.

 

These projects are just two of many underway to decarbonise the Fonterra business, such as the Waitoa and Stirling sites that are in the process of installing wood biomass boilers to transition out of coal.

 

The Stirling wood biomass boiler will fire up for the first time today, marking the next step on the site’s transition to be totally reliant on renewable energy for its process heat. Changing to this boiler will reduce the annual carbon emissions by 18,500 tonnes – the equivalent of taking approximately 7,700 cars off New Zealand’s roads.

 

The new Waitoa wood biomass boiler, due to be operational in November 2023, will reduce the site’s annual carbon emissions by approximately 48,000 tonnes, the equivalent of taking approximately 20,000 cars off New Zealand’s roads.

Fonterra Media.

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

Weather News Release

METSERVICE WEATHER MAP THURSDAY TO SATURDAY 20 - 22 APR 2023.

Another dose of heavy rain for central Aotearoa

Covering period of Thursday 20 - Tuesday 25 April

MetService is forecasting further heavy rain for northwestern parts of the South Island and the lower North Island on the back of two very wet days for those areas.

A low pressure system approaching from the northwest is the culprit behind the expected drenching as it crosses central New Zealand tonight (Thursday) through to Saturday afternoon. Orange Heavy Rain Warnings have been issued for southern Westland, western Tasman, and Mt Taranaki, while Heavy Rain Watches are in place for the rest of the northwest of the South Island and the Greater Wellington region.

There is still uncertainty surrounding the details of where the heaviest rain around the upper South Island and lower North Island will fall, so it is well worth following updates to the Severe Weather Warnings on metservice.com, especially for those in the Greater Wellington region and northern Marlborough.

MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan explains, “Depending on the exact path of the low pressure centre, there could be major impacts for Wellington, and the area is likely to be upgraded to an Orange Heavy Rain Warning. Even if warning criteria is not reached, there is still a risk of impacts like surface flooding, slips, and rising rivers in already sodden areas. These hazards, along with poor visibility in heavy rain, can also cause travel delays and disruptions.” 

The same low pressure system will also cause strong northerly winds across the central North Island hill country from the Kaimanawa Mountains across to South Taranaki from Friday evening through early Saturday morning (a Yellow Strong Wind Watch is in place). The northerly air flow is also making for muggy overnight conditions, with temperatures remaining in the high teens in the North Island for the next two nights.

Otago and Southland will be the only regions to avoid the rain with the low, and as it moves away during Saturday and overnight into Sunday, the settled weather will spread to the rest of New Zealand.

However, on Sunday afternoon, a change to strong, cold southwesterly winds will arrive in the deep south, bringing showery weather there with a dusting of autumn snow on the mountains above around 800m. The cooler temperatures and showers will spread northwards across the rest of the country on Sunday night while blustery southwesterly winds affect exposed coastlines. The showery weather is expected to become confined to the east coasts during Monday, with plenty of sunny skies opening up across the country.

“Looking ahead to ANZAC day, we have reasonable confidence at this stage that high pressure will bring settled weather for most of the South Island, but it could well be a frosty one for people waking up early. Southwesterly winds may still be quite breezy in the North Island, but the weather looks largely dry aside from showers for eastern parts,” says Corrigan.

From MetService.

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.