Stormy in the North

Issued at 01:32pm 09-Jul-2007
Stormy in the North

MetService meteorologists have issued severe weather warnings for wind and rain over northern areas.

A low pressure system in the Tasman Sea is deepening and should sideswipe the north on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"People in Northland should brace for a lengthy spell of heavy rain," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Mr. McDavitt. "Around 200 mm may fall over parts of Northland between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning. Heavy rain is forecast to move southwards during Tuesday and also affect Coromandel Peninsula and northern parts of Auckland. There may be bursts of rain that will rapidly raise streams and rivers and produce surface flooding."

Mr. McDavitt added the winds in the north are likely to reach damaging strength. "These winds are being formed by the pinching of the isobars between the deepening low and an intense anticyclone over the south Tasman Sea. Easterly winds gusting around 120 km/hr are likely from the Bay of Island to the Auckland harbour bridge area from Tuesday morning until Wednesday morning. Similar gusts may last until noon Wednesday on the Hauraki Plains in the Waikato, and until late Wednesday about Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula."

The winds may be strong enough to lift unsecured objects and damage trees and powerlines. "Today's the day to tidy up the back yard, clear the drains and check your moorings before Tuesday's big blow."

ENDS

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