WEATHER CLEARING WEDNESDAY MAY 10 BUT SOME THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE IN GOLDEN BAY

 

NOTIFICATIONS FROM METSERVICE CONCERNING SNOW

On Wednesday afternoon snowfalls starts to affect the inland parts of the lower South Island down to 400 metres, with heavier snowfalls above 700 metres.

Tasman Nelson Regional Forecast

Wednesday

 10 MAY

Showers, becoming widespread in the morning, then becoming isolated by midday as fine spells develop. Westerlies, strong about Golden Bay where thunderstorms are also possible.

Issued: 8:13pm Tue 9 May

Thursday

 11 MAY

Cloudy, clearing and becoming fine in the afternoon. Southwesterlies, easing in the afternoon.

Issued: 11:28am Tue 9 May

Friday

 12 MAY

Fine. Light winds.

Issued: 11:28am Tue 9 May

METSERVICE.

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

New Public Transport Interchange proposed for Nelson

 

Proposed new Bus Hub at Millers Acre and 41 Halifax St Nelson City

Will Nelson City have a new Bus Hub?

Hon Dr Nick Smith, Mayor of Nelson City, announcement today that Nelson City Council has purchased 41 Halifax Street, adjacent to Millers Acre, to support the development of a new central city bus interchange.

The Mayor said the Council paid $970,000 for the property at auction, after approval was granted at a confidential Council meeting on 3 April. The property had a capital valuation of $1.04 million. 

The Council are seeking funding from Waka Kotahi to cover part of the cost in support of the bus hub. 

The purchase is partly in response to concerns from neighbouring businesses about the loss of carparks due to the hub development at Millers Acre. The extra space will provide for about 26 carparks. 

The Mayor said “the purchase also provides an opportunity to build a better hub with space for other bus services like Intercity as well as separation between bus manoeuvring areas and an improved layout.”

It will be a surprise if this very popular carpark for people visiting the city is taken away. There are many businesses in the area visited frequently by people in and out of the city. The mobility parking located there will probably disappear as well.

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

WEATHER CONDITIONS - INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES.

 

DUE TO THE WEATHER THE LATEST INFORMATION

Nelson Tasman Civil Defence

We are receiving various reports of surface flooding in areas across Nelson Tasman.  

This is expected, as the river levels across the region are currently peaking from the rain we received today.  

Please exercise extreme caution if traveling, especially around Wakefield, North Nelson, Kotahu and Takaka.  

Drive to the conditions, or delay traveling until later, if possible, when river levels subside. 

Nelson City Council

Tasman District Council - Te Kaunihera o te tai o Aorere

———————————

POSTED  4:50pm 9 MAY 2023

An intense burst of rain has occurred in the hills near Belgrove. 

This has caused flooding to occur in the Wai-iti River, flowing between Belgrove and Wakefield. 

Residents in the area may not have noticed this rainfall in the hills. 

It is recommended that stock in the area are moved to high ground, if possible. 

Please be aware that surface flooding may be present. Take extreme care when driving through this area.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency - South Island were also clearing a tree across the road in the Belgrove area - so stop/go traffic control may also be in place.

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Posted 4:00pm 9 May 2023 

 

The weather continues to track as forecast, but we are keeping a close eye on it should something change.

TASMAN

Golden Bay has seen the most rainfall over the last 24 hours. Rivers are slowly rising and expected to peak around 3pm today.

Riwaka River is expected to peak around 5pm.

Motueka River expected to peak later around 8pm.

NELSON

The Maitai River is also expected to peak later this afternoon.

All of the rivers and streams are expected to peak at Annual flood levels or lower, although this could change if there are localised downpours.

 Slips are a risk for our region with steep hillsides, especially if intense rain does occur. 

We are closely monitoring this risk with soils already soggy from the weekend rain. 

If you see a slip, please call your local Council: 

Tasman District Council - Te Kaunihera o te tai o Aorere 03 543 8400

Nelson City Council on 03 546 0200.

 For the latest on State Highway conditions, check Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency - South Island https://bit.ly/3B5Tz6x

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POSTED 10:30AM 9 May 2023

GOLDEN BAY

With steady rain over in Golden Bay, the rivers and streams continue to rise.

Please keep away from rivers and streams in the area, and take care on the roads as there is a lot of surface flooding around.

Our hydrology teams are keeping an eye on the situation, especially with high rainfall forecast for the next few hours. 

 If the rainfall intensities remain high, surface flooding is possible around Bridges Hollow leading into Takaka and potentially the Waitapu Splash.

Please take care on the roads.

The latest rainfall data can be seen at: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/.../environme.../rainfall/report/

The latest river flow data can be seen at: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/.../river-flow/flow-report/

Golden Bay Community Noticeboard

Tasman District Council - Te Kaunihera o te tai o Aorere

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POSTED 2.00PM 9 May 2023

Waitapu Road Takaka started to flood at 3.00pm see picture below

Waitapu Road Takaka

METSERVICE UPDATE

From Nelson Tasman Civil Defence:

There is no significant change from the previous warnings. Take care out there.  

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

Period: 14hrs from 9am - 11pm Tue, 9 May

Area: Tasman from Motueka westwards

Forecast: Expect a further 90 to 120 mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Intensities of 10 to 25 mm per hour, especially this morning and early afternoon.

Impact: Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

Period: 8hrs from 9am - 5pm Tue, 9 May

Area: Marlborough about and north of the Awatere Valley, also Nelson and Tasman south and east of Motueka

Forecast: Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain about the Richmond and Bryant ranges and 50 to 70 mm elsewhere. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected from late 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.

The latest Warnings and Watches have been issued:

Heavy Rain is expected for already sodden areas in the North and South Island places. These areas may see surface flooding, rising rivers and streams, and hazardous driving conditions.

Added to that is the possibility of Severe Thunderstorms, which will bring heavier bursts of rain in a short space of time, as well as damaging winds.

Then WEDNESDAY afternoon snowfalls starts to affect the inland parts of the lower South Island down to 400 metres, with heavier snowfalls above 700 metres.

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POSTED 11:00am 9 May 2023

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

MetService New Zealand has issued road snowfall warnings for SH7 Lewis Pass, SH73 Arthur’s Pass, SH8 Lindis Pass and SH94 Milford Rd, with these in place until 11pm, Wednesday 10 May. 

In addition, heavy rain warnings are currently in place for parts of Westland and Marlborough, in place until 5pm this evening, and for parts of Tasman, in place until 11pm this evening.  

Remember to switch on your headlights, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards when driving in these conditions. 

For the latest weather warnings click here: metservice.com/warnings 

For the latest on the status of the state highway network, check out our interactive Highway Conditions Map found here: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions This will be updated with all major developments as we receive them. 

Tasman District Council

We are seeing a lot of rain at the moment, so please think twice about whether you really need to travel in this weather. If you do, please take extra care on the roads. This means using your headlights when visibility is poor, watching your speed and following distances, and driving to the conditions. 

Roads can close at short notice with weather like this, so before you head out, check the following links for any disruptions to the roads around you:

- Local roads: https://roadinfo.ramm.com/nz/roadclosuremap.html?region=tasman

- State highways: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions/tasman/

Nelson City Council

**Latest weather update as of 10:47am**

The weather continues to track as forecast, but we are keeping a close eye on it should something change.

The Maitai River is expected to peak later this afternoon. 

All of the rivers and streams are expected to peak at annual flood levels or lower, although this could change if there are localised downpours.

Slips are a risk for our region with steep hillsides, especially if intense rain does occur. 

Our roads are starting to get a bit slippery. Please drive to the conditions. Leave more space than usual and have your headlights on. Surface flooding can occur - so please be careful.

The rain we received on Saturday caused some disruption across our region with flooding, road closures, and a few evacuations. With the ground already sodden and rivers swollen, there is a possibility we may experience further disruptions.

If you see a slip please call our Customer Service Team on 03 546 0200.

Staff at Nelson City Council and Nelson Tasman Civil Defence are on standby monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as they become available.  

Know where to look for important info.

The Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Facebook page is the first place to check for emergency information.  

Check the MetService New Zealand website for updates to the weather forecast https://buff.ly/3NQrIPj . 

Check Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency - South Island for updates on State Highway conditions, including closures https://buff.ly/42oW3Zg . 

Check the Road Info website for updates on local road closures https://buff.ly/3PsNohG .

If you have an emergency or need evacuation, call 111 

To report flooding, landslips, and other weather-related disruptions, or for assistance, call our Customer Service Centre at 03 546 0200. This phone service is available 24/7. 

To receive important updates from Nelson City Council straight to your phone, download the Antenno app https://buff.ly/42Aja3o . 

Rāhui 

A rāhui has been put in place for Tasman Bay until further notice due to wastewater overflows. 

These have now been repaired but the Rāhui remains in place. 

Entering the water, gathering seafood and kai, in-shore fishing, and gathering of crayfish, crab, kina, and paua are all prohibited.  

The rāhui covers all coastlines, river mouths, and floodwaters. 

All surface water should also be treated as contaminated. 

Road closures 

- Aniseed Valley Road from Hackett Reserve 

- Maitai Valley Road from Poleford Bridge

- Tantragee Road

- Clouston Tce (Resident access only)

- Atmore Tce (Resident access only)

Infrastructure  

Repairs on the Atawhai Rising Main wastewater pipe have been completed.

Work to clean out culverts, sweep roads, and fix minor damage from last week’s rainfall continues in the Maitai, the Brook, Aniseed Valley and Atmore Terrace. 

Stormwater intakes and sumps have been checked and cleaned. 

Gravel traps have been cleaned out in preparation. 

Exposed slips in places have been covered and waterproofed to limit further erosion.  

Crews have inspected the Maitai Shared Pathway for damage. Any required repairs will begin after the rain passes. 

Work on the Riverside Swallow main has been postponed.  

Riverbank protection was damaged in some areas by flooding over the weekend. Repairs are on hold until today's weather passes. 

Sports fields 

All grass sports fields remain closed until they can be assessed. 

Trails

Please stay off all trails.   

Mountain biking in wet weather can damage tracks, particularly those with a clay substrate like the ones in Codgers.  

There may also be safety risks at the moment in the form of flooding, slips and fallen trees.  

Facilities

Facilities alongside the river, like Riverside Pool and Elma Turner Library, may close at short notice. Keep an eye out here or on social media for more information.

The temporary bridge at the Waahi Taakaro Golf Course needs to be assessed following the flooding. The golf course is closed until further notice.

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Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman. 9 May 2023

Further Information may be on Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Facebook page

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.