01-Aug-2008
Wet Windy Weekend For Some After Wet Windy Week
The latest MetService forecasts and Severe Weather Warnings mention a further significant period of wind and rain
affecting the North Island from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.
"There's a disturbed northwesterly flow over the North Island", commented MetService Weather Ambassador Bob McDavitt.
"An active front is likely to cross the North Island on Saturday evening. Following close behind, a deep low is expected
to cross central New Zealand from early on Sunday morning."
Squally and thundery showers with severe wind gusts may affect north-western parts of the North Island especially on
Saturday evening. On Sunday northwest winds may reach severe gale force over Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa.
Rain associated with this passing low is likely to become heavy for a time between Saturday afternoon and Sunday
afternoon over parts of the North Island, especially for Mount Taranaki, the central Plateau, eastern Bay of Plenty and
the Tararua Ranges, and also for the ranges of Nelson and northern Marlborough.
"This rain will be falling on already sodden ground, so further surface flooding and slips are likely, and rivers and
streams will swell quickly."
ENDS