More Heavy Rain Expected for New Zealand’s Upper North Island

Heavy rain forecast for upper North Island, New Zealand, Digi Mart USA News (New Zealand): MetService says the late-spring downpour probably isn’t over yet. Severe thunderstorm warnings issued for Western Bay of Plenty, Whakatane and Rotorua at 11:15pm on Monday were lifted soon after 1am on Tuesday.

However, severe thunderstorm watches remain in place across parts of Northland and Auckland, and heavy rain watches extend from Northland to the central plateau. MetService meteorologist John Law said there had been intense bursts of rainfall and flashes of lightning on Monday, with more to come.

Most of the lightning struck off the coast of western Auckland and Waikato, with rain falling from Northland to Waitomo. Warm, humid weather provided perfect conditions for the intense rain showers to form, he said.

A heavy rain watch was in place for Northland from 9pm Monday until 10pm Tuesday, and for Auckland and Great Barrier Island from 11pm Monday until 1am Wednesday. The forecast warns of periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible, and rainfall intensities of 25 to 40 mm/h.

Coromandel’s severe thunderstorm watch also began at 9pm and would last through to 4am Wednesday, at least. For the central North Island, a heavy rain watch is in place from 3am Tuesday until early Wednesday morning for Waikato, Waitomo, Taupō, Taranaki, Taumarunui and Tongariro National Park, with a moderate chance of being upgraded to a warning.

The forecasts follow heavy rain and storms in Auckland and Canterbury on Friday and Saturday. MetService earlier issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Far North before 7am on Monday, which has since lapsed.

MetService said on Monday morning there was a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms with localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm per hour over Auckland and Great Barrier Island from late morning until that evening. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.

Driving conditions will also be hazardous, with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.