MetService has issued a several weather warnings covering most of the country today.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Area: Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu
Period: 0hrs 30min from 2:30pm – 3pm Thu, 9 Jun
Forecast: Thunderstorms are expected to affect western parts of the North Island until this evening, bringing localised very heavy rain, hail and squally wind gusts.
Between 2pm and 3pm, there is a risk that a few of these thunderstorms could be SEVERE between Raglan and Manawatu, bringing rain with damaging wind gusts in excess of 110 km/h, and one or two small or damaging tornadoes.
Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including to trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.
If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas.
Issued: 2:08pm Thu, 9 Jun
Next update: 3pm Thu, 9 Jun
Area: Nelson, Buller, Westland
Period: 8hrs from midnight Thu, 9 Jun – 8am Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Thunderstorm activity is expected to increase in the west of the South Island tonight, and continue during Friday. These thunderstorms are expected to bring heavy rain, hail, strong winds gusting 90 to 110 km/h, and the risk of a localised tornado. There is a risk that some of these thunderstorms could become SEVERE overnight Thursday or during the early hours of Friday, bringing damaging winds gusting greater than 110 km/h, and the possibility of localised tornadoes.
Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.
If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas.
Issued: 2:08pm Thu, 9 Jun
Next update: 6am Fri, 10 Jun
Note: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. People in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and monitor for possible Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.
For information on preparing for and keeping safe during a storm, see the Civil Defence Get Ready website
Severe Weather Warnings
Heavy rain, severe gales, and possible heavy snow for parts of central and southern New Zealand
Updated to correct the CAP alert area drawn which covers the heavy rain warning for northern Westland and Buller.
An unsettled north to northwest flow strengthens ahead of a cold front forecast to move across the country from the west on Friday. This front brings about a change to strong and colder westerlies.
Warnings and Watches for heavy rain and severe gales are in force for parts of central and southern New Zealand, and a Watch for heavy snow is now in force for Central Otago, the Queenstown Lakes district and southern parts of the Canterbury High Country. Note that the unsettled weather is expected to continue at least until Monday, and further watches and warnings for heavy rain, severe gales and heavy snow are likely to be issued for many areas in the coming days.
Also, severe thunderstorms are possible for some areas. Please check the latest thunderstorm outlook for more information.
People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made.
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Impact: Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
Area: Horowhenua about and south of Levin, Wellington north of the Ngauranga Gorge and the Tararua Range
Period: 7hrs from 9am – 4pm Thu, 9 Jun
Forecast: Expect a further 30 to 50 mm of rain to accumulate on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h, especially in thunderstorms.
Area: Buller and Westland north of Okarito
Period: 7hrs from 9am – 4pm Thu, 9 Jun
Forecast: Expect a further 30 to 50mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 20mm/h and thunderstorms likely. Another period of heavy rain is possible on Friday, and a Watch is now in force covering this possibility.
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Impact: Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Area: Wellington, Wairarapa about and south of Featherston, and the Marlborough Sounds
Period: 5hrs from 3am – 8am Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Severe gale northwesterlies in exposed places, with gusts reaching 120 km/h. Please note, another period of severe gale north to northwesterlies is possible late Friday.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Tasman west of Motueka
Period: 4hrs from 9am – 1pm Thu, 9 Jun
Forecast: A period of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Please note, another period of heavy rain is possible on Friday.
Area: The Richmond and Bryant ranges, the Rai Valley and northern Marlborough Sounds
Period: 6hrs from 9am – 3pm Thu, 9 Jun
Forecast: A period of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.
Area: Westland and Buller
Period: 24hrs from midnight Thu, 9 Jun – midnight Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: A brief burst of heavy rain is expected overnight tonight (Thursday), then rain should pick up again from late Friday morning. Thunderstorms are also possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, mainly about the ranges. The freezing level is forecast to lower to around 1200 metres in Westland on Friday, with heavy snow likely above about 900 metres, though snow may fall as low as 600 metres at times or possibly lower, especially south of the Glaciers. Note, furthers showers, some possibly heavy, are expected into Saturday.
Heavy Snow Watch
Area: Central Otago, the Queenstown Lakes District and the Canterbury High Country west of Otematata and about and south of Mount Cook village
Period: 6hrs from midnight Thu, 9 Jun – 6am Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: A brief period of heavy snow is possible above 700 metres during this time, and snow amounts may approach warning criteria above 700 metres. Please note, another period of heavy snow is possible late Friday and Saturday.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Wairarapa north of Featherston, the Tararua District, the ranges of Hawke’s Bay about and south of Te Haroto, and Taihape
Period: 10hrs from 5am – 3pm Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Area: Nelson, Buller, Westland, Marlborough excluding the Sounds, the Canterbury High Country, Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District
Period: 7hrs from 11pm Thu, 9 Jun – 6am Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Please note, another period of severe gale north to northwesterlies is possible late Friday.
Issued: 9:56am Thu, 9 Jun
Next update: 9pm Thu, 9 Jun
Road Snowfall Warnings
Road Snowfall Warning
Area: Arthur’s Pass (SH73)
Period: 12hrs from 3am – 3pm Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Snow may affect higher parts of the road, and 1 or 2 cm may settle on the road near the summit at times, with lesser amounts down to 800 metres. Another period of snow is possible from Friday night and into Saturday.
Area: Porters Pass (SH73)
Period: 12hrs from 3am – 3pm Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Snow showers may affect higher parts of the road, and 1 or 2 cm may settle on the road near the summit at times, with lesser amounts down to 800 metres. Another period of snow is possible from Friday night into Saturday.
Area: Haast Pass (SH6)
Period: 13hrs from 11pm Thu, 9 Jun – noon Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Snow may affect the road from tonight through to around midday Friday, and 1 to 3 cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit. Another period of snow is possible from Friday evening into Saturday.
Area: Lindis Pass (SH8)
Period: 3hrs from midnight Thu, 9 Jun – 3am Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Snow flurries may affect the summit of the road this (Thursday) morning, but little if any snow should settle on the road. A brief period of snow may affect the road overnight tonight, and 3 to 5 cm of snow may settle on the road above 800 metres, with lesser amounts down to 600 metres. Please note, another period of snow may affect the road from late Friday into early Saturday morning.
Area: Crown Range Road
Period: 3hrs from 11pm Thu, 9 Jun – 2am Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Snow flurries may affect the summit of the road this (Thursday) morning, but little if any snow should settle on the road. A brief period of snow may affect the road overnight tonight, and 3 to 5 cm of snow may settle on the road above 800 metres, with lesser amounts down to 600 metres. Please note, another period of snow may affect the road from late Friday into early Saturday morning.
Area: Milford Road (SH94)
Period: 37hrs from 11am Thu, 9 Jun – midnight Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Another 1 or 2 cm of snow may settle on the road near the tunnel until around midday today. More significant snow is then forecast to affect the road from late this (Thursday) evening and through Friday, when 40 to 50 cm of snow may accumulate above about 600 metres, with lesser amounts down to about 400 metres. Further snow is likely to affect the road to low levels on Saturday.
Issued: 11:31am Thu, 9 Jun
Next update: 8pm Thu, 9 Jun
For more about Road Snowfall Warnings click here
Heavy Swell Warnings
Area: Kapiti-Porirua Coast – Otaki to Cape Terawhiti
Period: 48hrs from midnight Thu, 9 Jun – midnight Sat, 11 Jun
Combined wave: Rising to 4 to 5 metres with peak period 9 seconds early Friday morning, easing to 3 to 3.5 metres period 9 seconds for a time Friday afternoon and early evening. Easing to 3 metres Saturday evening.
Swell: Northwest rising to 3 to 4 metres period 11 seconds early Friday morning, easing to 2 metres period 11 seconds during Saturday.
Wind wave: Northwest wind waves 3 metres, rising to 4 to 5 metres during Friday, then easing to 3 metres late Saturday evening.
Pressure: Minimum pressure 990.9 hPa forecast 6am Fri 10th. Maximum pressure 1001.4 hPa forecast 12am Sun 12th.
Remarks: Risk is mainly for the coast north of Porirua. Wave heights will be lower in the south with some sheltering from the Marlborough Sounds.
Tides: The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide.
Mana Marina high tides: 6:06am Fri 10th, 6:35pm Fri 10th.
Issued: 1:21pm Thu, 9 Jun
Next update: 2pm Fri, 10 Jun
For further updates visit the MetService website.
