Weather officials are warning thunderstorms and heavy rain could hit the upper North Island on Saturday. Photo: Unsplash / Daoudi Aissa
Weather officials are warning thunderstorms and heavy rain could hit the upper North Island on Saturday.
Severe thunderstorm watches were on Rotorua, Taupō and the Bay of Plenty.
For Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupō, a few of the thunderstorms may be severe between about 1 to 9pm today, with localised downpours of 20-40mm/h.
Coromandel's heavy rain watch was for 3am - 9pm.
"Periods of rain and thunderstorms are expected," MetService said. "Rainfall accumulations may approach warning criteria in a few areas. Moderate chance of upgrading to a warning."
"Lines of heavy showers and thunderstorms embedded in a moist northerly flow are expected to affect the upper North Island overnight and [Saturday]. There is a risk that some of these showers and thunderstorms may bring localised downpours of 25 to 40mm per hour for Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua."
Bay of Plenty's orange-level heavy rain warning was for basically the whole of Saturday - up to 11pm.
"Expect 80 to 120mm in periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Peak rates of 25 to 40mm/h possible in localised downpours. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
"Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible."
MetService advised motorists to take care, and residents to avoid low-lying areas and clear their home's gutters.
Bay of Plenty Civil Defence on social media urged locals to "keep an eye on the conditions".
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane on Friday told Morning Report that a southerly working its way up the country would hover over the motu this weekend.
"In the lead-up towards Christmas it is unfortunately an unsettled one. I know at this time of year there is a lot of travel happening, a lot of planning for the big day."
The southerly was a "bit of a throwback" to winter, bringing rain on Friday and unsettled weather for this weekend, she said.
"We have a low pressure system just east of the country and that has been feeding through south-easterly winds. I know here in Wellington they can be quite biting and chilly, and a lot of places have been feeling that."
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