A deep subtropical low is bearing down on the upper North Island, prompting MetService to issue orange heavy rain warnings and severe weather watches across multiple regions. The incoming system threatens to dump up to 250mm of rain in some areas, raising concerns about localized flooding and disruptions.
Orange Warnings and Rainfall Totals for Northland
According to MetService, Northland is under an orange heavy rain warning effective from 7pm Wednesday until 9am Friday. The region is expected to receive between 130mm and 200mm of rain, with forecasters warning that up to 250mm could accumulate around northern and eastern areas. Peak rates of 20mm to 40mm of rain per hour are anticipated from Thursday afternoon through to Friday morning. Meteorological officials note a moderate chance this warning could be upgraded to red as the system intensifies.
Heavy Rain and Wind Watches Across the Upper North Island
The severe weather threat extends beyond Northland, with heavy rain watches issued for Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, Great Barrier Island, and the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane starting Thursday. Strong wind watches are also in effect for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, and Northland, where east to northeast winds could approach severe gale force in exposed locations. Most of these concurrent wind and rain watches will remain active for 30 to 42 hours. Further south, the Tasman district west of Motueka is also under a heavy rain watch from Thursday until Friday, according to meteorological reports.
Community Preparations and Official Advisories
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