Heres a snapshot of the strongest winds this morning and a copy of the latest Warning SEVERE WEATHER WARNING. ISSUED BY MetService AT 8:30am 15-Mar-2014 URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST IN: Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay Of Plenty Rotorua, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Nelson, Marlborough, Auckland, Waikato CYCLONE LUSI WILL BRING HEAVY RAIN AND EASTERLY GALES TO MANY PLACES THIS WEEKEND A depression formerly Tropical Cyclone Lusi lies just north of New Zealand this morning and is expected to be centred about 300km west of Auckland at midnight tonight. The low will then move southwards to cross northern parts of the South Island Sunday evening. Widespread rain and easterly gales, already affecting northern North Island areas, are spreading southwards today. The heaviest falls today are expected about Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty, where 150 to 200mm could accumulate. Heavy rain warnings are also in place for the eastern hills of Northland, the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, as well as the ranges of Hawkes Bay. For the upper South Island, Marlborough and Nelson look set to receive the most intense rainfall, with 150 to 200mm possible in the ranges of northwest Nelson and 120 to 150mm about the ranges of Marlborough. Easterly gales will accompany the heavy rain, with gusts of 120km/h in exposed parts of Northland and Auckland, and 130km/h west of the Kaimai Range. These gales are expected to gradually ease from this evening. This will be a significant adverse weather event, affecting many parts of the country. The heavy rain is likely to cause slips and surface flooding, and the severe easterly gales could make driving hazardous, lift roofs, and bring down trees and powerlines. People are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution, and to stay up to date with the latest forecasts, Warnings and Watches. FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND FORECAST CHARTS PLEASE GO TO metservice MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS FOLLOWS. ====================== HEAVY RAIN WARNING ====================== AREA/S AFFECTED: NORTHLAND FORECAST: Rain will heavy at times today, but gradully ease this evening. In the 12 hours from 8am to 8pm today expect a further 40 to 60mm rain. Peak intensities of 10-20mm per hr. AREA/S AFFECTED: COROMANDEL PENINSULA AND BAY OF PLENTY WEST OF KAWERAU FORECAST: Heavy rain is setting in this morning. In the 24 hours from 8am today to 8am Sunday, expect 100 to 120mm of rain to accumulate, but 150-200mm about the Coromandel and Kaimai Ranges. Peak intensities of 20-30mm per hour this afternoon. AREA/S AFFECTED: THE RANGES OF GISBORNE AND EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY FORECAST: Heavy rain is forecast to set in this afternoon. In the 24 hours from noon today to noon Sunday, expect 100 to 150mm of rain to accumulate. Peak intensities of 15-25mm per hr Saturday afternoon and evening. AREA/S AFFECTED: THE RANGES OF HAWKES BAY FORECAST: Heavy rain is expected to set in this afternoon. In the 18 hours from noon Saturday to 6am Sunday, expect 80 to 120mm of rain to accumulate. Peak intensities of 15-20mm per hour Saturday evening. AREA/S AFFECTED: ALL OF NELSON FORECAST: Rain is expected to set in this evening, then be heavy at times throughout Sunday. In the 30 hours from 9pm Saturday to 3am Monday, expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate in the ranges and about 100mm over the Tasman Bay lowlands. FREEZING LEVEL: Above 3500 metres. AREA/S AFFECTED: THE RANGES OF MARLBOROUGH, INCLUDING THE KAIKOURA RANGES FORECAST: Heavy easterly rain is forecast to set in Saturday evening, then later Sunday the flow should turn northwest. In the 24 hours from 9pm today to 9pm Sunday, expect 100 to 120mm of rain to accumulate, but 120 to 150mm about the Kaikoura Ranges. FREEZING LEVEL: Above 4000 metres. ======================= STRONG WIND WARNING ======================= AREA/S AFFECTED: NORTHLAND AND AUCKLAND FORECAST: Easterly gales are expected to be severe at times today with gusts 120 km/h. Winds should gradually ease in Northland this evening and in Auckland tonight. AREA/S AFFECTED: THE KAIMAI RANGE, AND WAIKATO NEAR THE KAIMAIS, INCLUDING THAMES FORECAST: Easterly gales are expected to become severe this morning, with gusts 130 km/h in exposed places. Winds should ease around midnight tonight. NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE 9:00pm Saturday 15-Mar-2014
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:00:13 +0000