New Zealand heavy rain and thunderstorm warnings, Digi Mart USA News (New Zealand): Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for parts of New Zealand, with MetService issuing warnings for patches of the North and South Islands.
An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki, and the ranges of Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Tokomaru Bay. The warning is in place until 5pm, with a further 55mm to 75mm of rain expected on top of what had already fallen.
MetService also warned of possible thunderstorms and localised downpours. A “showery unstable airmass” was expected to develop over the lower South Island later today, with a severe thunderstorm watch issued for Dunedin, Clutha, and Southland.
MetService said the weather could bring localised downpours of 25-40mm per hour. “Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about 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.”
Meanwhile, a heavy rain watch was issued for the ranges of Westland District about and north of Mt Cook. MetService said it was an “improving story” for the rest of the country, with isolated showers and scattered rain forecast this afternoon.
For the North Island, fine spells were forecast tomorrow in the East, with showers elsewhere easing in the evening. Showers were expected in the South and West parts of the South Island, with fine spells and isolated showers elsewhere.
