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The MetService issued a Severe Weather Alert and Severe Thunderstorm Watch this morning and heavy rains are expected for eastern Bay of Plenty, Buller and northern Westland.
Driving conditions are expected to be dangerous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.
“A slow moving trough continues to bring heavy rain and slow moving thunderstorms to the Bay of Plenty east of Kawerau this morning,” says a MetService spokesperson.
“Localized rains are expected with rainfall rates of 25 to 40 mm per hour, or possibly more in storms.”
Rains of this intensity can cause surface and / or flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas such as streams, rivers, or narrow valleys, and can also cause landslides. State Highway 2 between Awakeri and Opotiki in Waimana Gorge is closed this morning due to a slip and flood.
WeatherWatch warns that a large, weak area of low pressure continues to cover the entire nation today and Sunday looks remarkably similar to Saturday’s setup.
“No two days are exactly the same when it comes to downpours and thunderstorms, but the risk zones cover the same areas: most of the North Island, especially inland, and also in the lower eastern part of the South Island.” says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.
“Once again, some that need rain will be lost, despite expectations. This is due to the complicated nature of the evening downpours that occur randomly within these risk zones and are slowly pushed by very localized winds. “
The lower eastern part of the South Island, which includes Otago, Canterbury, and perhaps northern Southland, may have more flooding today with erratic rains, showers, and later some thunderstorms and heavy downpours.
“The region has gone from being too dry to very wet, very fast,” says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.
“The North Island is also at risk of flooding with isolated downpours moving slowly once again.
“Like Saturday, large areas will be dry and the largest totals may be lost.
“Local estimated rainfall totals may not work out exactly for everyone, as these heavy rains have the potential to produce higher totals if tracked more slowly, but at the same time, the terrain and light breezes around Nueva Zealand can move these downpours away from the areas that need rain the most, ”says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.
