Auckland (The NZ Today) Wellington residents are being warned to prepare for a spell of severe weather, with heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding expected as a large weather system moves across the country.
MetService says a complex weather system is tracking north, bringing widespread rain and potentially heavy falls across parts of the North Island over the next 24 hours.
A heavy rain watch is in place for southern and eastern Wellington and the Wairarapa from 11pm Sunday until 2pm Monday, with rainfall totals expected to approach warning levels.
MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala said the heaviest conditions were likely overnight and into the early hours of Monday, with rain continuing as commuters head to work.
He warned driving conditions could become difficult, with exposed areas also facing wind gusts of up to 90km/h.
“There’s also that possibility of flooding with the amount of rain that we are expecting,” Magwala said.
Auckland is also expected to wake to wet conditions on Monday, although the heaviest rain is forecast to arrive later in the morning.
Earth Sciences New Zealand meteorologist Chester Lampkin described the incoming system as a “pretty grunty” weather event, with bands of thundery downpours expected to move across parts of the North Island.
Some areas could receive between 10mm and 20mm of rain in a short period during the heavier bursts.
The Tararua Range is under an orange heavy rain warning from Sunday evening until Monday afternoon, with rainfall totals of up to 150mm possible.
Peak rainfall rates of up to 20mm an hour are forecast overnight and before dawn, with authorities warning the mountainous terrain could make conditions particularly challenging.
Heavy rain watches are also active for parts of Taranaki and the Ruahine Range.
Meanwhile, severe weather has already disrupted travel across parts of the South Island.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi reported flooding, slips and fallen trees affecting several highways, including parts of State Highway 6 on the West Coast and routes through the Buller region.
Some roads have reopened with restrictions, while motorists have been advised to delay travel where conditions remain unsafe.
In Canterbury, a woman and her dog were rescued after becoming trapped by rising floodwaters in the Waimakariri Gorge.
Police were called at about 5.10pm after the woman became stuck in chest-high water. Firefighters reached the pair and brought them to safety around 30 minutes later.
Snow is also affecting alpine routes, with warnings in place for roads including the Lindis Pass, Crown Range Road, Arthur’s Pass, Porter’s Pass and Lewis Pass.
Magwala said some areas could see further snowfall overnight, with possible impacts on road access.
Despite the widespread rain, wind and snow, forecasters say the unsettled spell is expected to be short-lived.
Magwala described the event as a quick “spring-like” weather system, with conditions expected to ease from Tuesday before another weaker front moves through later in the week.
Source: NZ Herald, MetService, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Police.
