- By Jane Nixon, Franklin Times
A heavy rain watch notice for Auckland and Waikato has been issued by MetService as downpours have begun in these regions.
In Auckland, the watch is in force for 20 hours from 3pm today, September 23, until 11am tomorrow, September 24.
MetService is forecasting periods of heavy rain, with localised downpours possible and high rain levels, which may trigger a warning level.
It forecasts a “moderate chance of upgrading to a warning”.
For the Waikato, the forecast is the same, but the weather watch begins from 2pm today until tomorrow.
MetService says a watch will be issued “when we know bad weather is coming and it will be significant but not serious enough to reach ‘warning’ criteria, or when there is uncertainty about what might happen”.
If the weather systems are upgraded to a warning it means people need to be prepared.
“A warning is used when the forecast indicates incoming bad weather – expected heavy rain, strong wind or heavy snow – will meet our severe weather criteria.
“It signifies that people need to be prepared and take action as appropriate as there could be some disruption to their day and potential risk to people, animals and property.
“The majority of warnings issued by MetService will be orange,” it says.
A week of wet weather
MetService meteorologist John Law told the Times the forecast is for wet weather for the rest of the week in the north of the country.
“This is the same band of wet weather that has been lingering for the last week or so in Southland and has moved up the country.”
He says Canterbury has just had very severe weather, which brought strong winds with gusts of 120-130 kilometres an hour.
“Moving up the country, Wellington has just had 70mm of rainfall,” Law says.
This week will be “showery” in Auckland with some more intense bursts of rainfalls, he says.
“The weekend is forecast to bring westerly winds and showers.
“It isn’t going to rain all the time but keep an eye on the rain radar.”
Law says the system is “classic Springtime weather,” meaning warm temperatures but westerly winds remain, which bring more wet conditions.
