By 1news.co.nz and is republished with permission
A large low over the Tasman Sea is bringing rain to many parts of New Zealand over the next few days, prompting MetService to issue multiple warnings and watches.
The wettest weather is expected in the east of both North and the South islands, alongside a “wide-reaching snow event” in the lower and central South Island.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said forecasters were keeping a close eye on the southeastern South Island where heavy rain is expected over the next 48 hours in North Otago, Dunedin, and Clutha.
Makgabutlane said: “It’s not often we see persistent rain like this in this part of the country, and the area does not need large amounts of rain for impacts to be felt.
“We could see surface flooding, especially in eastern areas of Dunedin, so people are advised to keep up to date with the latest information.”
She added: “Although it’s all happening in the South Island during the early part of the week, it’ll be a good idea for people in the eastern North Island to also have a close eye on the forecast.”
MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for several regions in the South Island. The warnings are active now in Dunedin, North Otago, Clutha southeast of Raes Junction, and Tasman northwest of Motueka.
“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible. Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain.”
MetService said there was a “minimal chance” that these orange alerts would be upgraded.
Meteorologists have also issued yellow heavy rain watches for Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki, Westland District, Southland and Clutha northwest of Raes Junction, the Bryant and Richmond Ranges, the Rai Valley, and Mount Taranaki.
“During Tuesday, the rain extends to the Canterbury Plains, and this shifts to Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay from Wednesday and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne on Thursday.”
Otago Regional Council ‘closely monitoring’ rainfall
The Otago Regional Council said it is closely monitoring as the heavy rain warning remains in place for East Otago.
“Around 70mm to 90mm of rain, with peak rates of 5-10mm/h, is expected to fall in North Otago, Dunedin and Clutha southeast of Raes Junction between 9am Monday and 3pm Tuesday,” a spokesperson said.
Council duty flood officer, Andrew Welsh said: “River levels are expected to rise and some may come close to channel capacity. If rain falls as forecast, rivers are likely to be contained to their channels, but the situation can change rapidly.”
Areas of focus — based on current forecasts — were the Silver Stream catchment including the Gordon Rd spillway near Mosgiel and the Riverside Rd spillway downstream of Outram.
The Otago Regional Council said other areas under close watch included, but were not limited to, the Water of Leith and the Lindsay Creek catchments. Also, the Pomahaka River in South Otago and rivers in North Otago.
“It’s important that people remain vigilant, particularly those who live or work near waterways. Rivers will be fast-moving, and conditions can change quickly, so it’s important people stay informed and be prepared.”
Warning for vehicles near Queenstown
Queenstown Lakes District Council said chains must be carried on all vehicles travelling over the Crown Range near Queenstown due to the snowfall in the area.
Snow began to fall at the summit early on Monday afternoon.
NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson told 1News “dry July is over”, referring to the end of no snow this month.
The last significant snowfall was last June, early July and they have been relying on man-made snow since then.
There was good weather conditions to make snow during the school holidays, but this latest dump was “perfect”, he said.
There was more snow to come for the ski fields, with NZSki predicting about 20-30cm for The Remarkables; 20cm for Coronet Peak; and maybe up to 45cm for Mt Hutt.
‘Extensive snowfall expected’
An orange heavy snow warning has also been issued for inland parts of eastern Otago and South Canterbury high country and the foothills south of the Rangitata River.
A 33-hour yellow heavy snow watch has been issued for inland areas of Otago and Southland as well as eastern Fiordland until 6pm on Tuesday. Makgabutlane said “extensive” snowfall was expected in the lower and central South Island.”
“This is expected to be a wide-reaching snow event, especially for farmers and road users,” she said.
MetService said: “Inland Southland, Otago and Canterbury have a possibility of heavy snow above 500-800m, with lesser snowfall amounts possible down to 200-300m. South Canterbury High Country could see 30-40cm of snow settling above 500m.
“Other parts of the South Island may also see snow, including Banks Peninsula and inland Marlborough, although at this stage unlikely to be heavy.”
A snow watch has also been issued for North Canterbury high country and the foothills north of the Rangitata River. An orange strong wind warning has also been issued for Westland and Fiordland, about the Fiords.
Over the next 24 hours, the slow-moving front is expected to present a moderate risk of thunderstorms to the northwest corner of the South Island, according to MetService.
“There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms for Buller and the far west of Nelson.”
On Tuesday, there was a “moderate risk of thunderstorms in the evening and at night for the north of Taranaki, Northland and Great Barrier Island”.
Road snow warnings have also been issued for most high-level roads in the South Island.
Detailed weather warning information and timings can be found MetService’s website.
