– Several rain warnings issued for both islands
– North east gales pounding the far north and spreading to Hauraki Gulf
– Rain but not snow for ski fields
Rain has started to fall across much of New Zealand and according to forecasters there’s a lot more to come. The NZ Government has issued heavy rainfall warnings for the Bay of Plenty ranges, Mt Taranaki, and northern and western regions of the South Island.
The Radio Network’s head weather analyst Philip Duncan says we’re in for a very wet night. “We currently have a warm front moving in to New Zealand from the Tasman…warm fronts tend to bring lighter rain. But tonight and tomorrow a very slow moving cold front will deliver much heavier rain”. Mr Duncan says weather.com is forecasting about 50mm for Auckland city tonight and tomorrow.
Accompanying these fronts, caused by a deep low in Tasman (984mb), is a strong north easterly flow. “A blocking high out to the east and the low pushing into it is creating a big squeeze of air pressure, making some very strong winds over the North Island”.
Gales are pounding the far north, averaging over 90km/h (gale force is 62) with winds gusting to 115km/h. Gales are also spreading into the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland with gusts to 80km/h. “We’re expecting winds up to 100km/h tonight for the gulf and gusts to 80 in exposed parts of Auckland city”.
But the system is bringing warmer weather with it despite the cold front. “Highs of around 17 could be possible tomorrow north of Waikato, which means rain instead of snow for the ski fields this weekend – probably across both Islands”.
OTHER WEATHER NEWS HEADLINES:
– Warmer weather for the next 3 or 4 days nationwide.
– Frosts may return for a couple days early next week in the south, but nothing severe.
– Nor Westers on the way for later next week. The next low is expected to bring some fronts this time next week.
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