By 1news.co.nz and republished with permission
Heavy rain and severe easterly gales are forecast for parts of the North Island as the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Lola reach New Zealand over the weekend.
MetService has issued several weather alerts as a large and complex low-pressure system moves slowly southeast towards northern New Zealand on Sunday, with an associated front moving onto Northland from Sunday night.
“This system moves slowly southeast onto the North Island during Monday, with heavy rain and easterly gales preceding the front,” the forecaster said.
The agency posted on X today: “The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Lola will combine with a low in the Tasman Sea and impact northern New Zealand until Tuesday.”
In Auckland and the Great Barrier Island, an orange strong wind warning has been issued between 6pm Sunday and 9am Monday.
For the same 15-hour period, a heavy rain watch has also been issued with thunderstorms possible on Monday morning.
“Severe gale easterlies with damaging gusts of 120 to 130 km/h in exposed places,” MetService forecast.
“Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms possible Monday morning.”
For Northland, an orange heavy rain warning has been issued for 18 hours between 11am Sunday and 5am Monday: “Expect 90 to 130 mm of rain, especially in eastern areas. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h from Sunday evening with thunderstorms possible.”
A strong wind warning has also been issued for Northland between 9am Sunday and 5am Monday, with a forecast for “severe gale easterlies with damaging gusts of 130 km/h in exposed places.”
A similar warning applies to Coromandel Peninsula, with an orange heavy rain warning and strong wind warning issued.
“Expect 100 to 150 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h from Monday morning with thunderstorms possible,” MetService said. “Severe gale easterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places.”
Tropical Cyclone Lola remnants approach NZ
MetService weather communication head Lisa Murray said yesterday that the remnants of Lola will approach Northland and spread over the upper North Island on Monday.
The agency has been watching the Tasman Sea, where the remains of Lola are moving towards the south and are expected to interact with the cold weather system moving north on Saturday, forming a deep low, according to Murray.
“MetService is expecting to issue warnings or watches over the weekend for northern areas of Aotearoa New Zealand that will be impacted.
“Areas from Northland to Coromandel Peninsula and across to East Cape can expect some strong wind, heavy rain and large waves. This starts in Northland early Sunday and slowly moves eastward to affect the country for the following couple of days.”
