Updated: 6:00am – Cyclone Gita to bring damaging winds and heavy rain to central New Zealand Today and early tomorrow.
Cyclone Gita, currently located over the Tasman Sea, is forecast to track southeastwards and cross central New Zealand late Today and early Tomorrow.
The passage of Gita is expected to bring a period of high-impact severe weather to central New Zealand. Heavy rain will cause slips, rapidly rising streams and rivers, and flooding. Severe gales with damaging gusts are expected, so people are advised to secure property and items that may be blown away by strong winds. There is also the potential for coastal inundation with high tide overnight Tuesday and before dawn on Wednesday, due to the combination of tides, low air-pressure, strong onshore winds and large waves in excess of 6 metres in some places. For the North Island, coastal areas from Raglan southwards to southern Wairarapa are most at risk. For the South Island, the risk of coastal inundation is greatest for areas from Buller and North Canterbury northwards.
People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts. Please see http://www.metservice.com/warnings/tropical-cyclone-activity for more detail on Cyclone Gita, including the latest track map.
Heavy Rain Warning
Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
Area: Nelson and Buller
Valid: 14 hours from 7:00am to 9:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate in Nelson west of Motueka, and 90 to 150mm elsewhere. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/hr possible.
Area: Marlborough including the Kaikoura Coast
Valid: 15 hours from 7:00am to 10:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate about higher ground, and 90 to 140mm elsewhere. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/hr possible.
Area: Wellington and Kapiti Coast
Valid: 15 hours from 1:00am to 4:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Expect 75 to 100mm of rain to accumulate during the period. Peak intensities 20 to 30mm per hour during the morning. Further lighter rain is expected from late Tuesday afternoon to midnight Tuesday.
Area: Canterbury Plains (excluding Christchurch)and High Country, the ranges of Westland
Valid: 27 hours from 12:00pm Tuesday to 3:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate during this period about Canterbury High Country, and 90 to 120mm elsewhere. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/hr possible about Canterbury High Country.
Strong Wind Warning
Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Area: Taranaki, Taihape, Whanganui
Valid: 10 hours from 3:00pm Tuesday to 1:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale north to northwest winds gusting 120 km/h in exposed parts of North Taranaki, but damaging gusts of 140 km/h in exposed parts of South Taranaki, Whanganui and Taihape.
Area: Manawatu, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wellington and Wairarapa including the Tararua District
Valid: 8 hours from 7:00pm Tuesday to 3:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale north to northwest winds gusting 120 km/h in exposed places, but 130 km/h in Wellington on Tuesday evening.
Area: Nelson and Buller
Valid: 8 hours from 2:00pm to 10:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Severe gale east to northeast winds with damaging gusts of 130 to 140 km/h in exposed places.
Area: Marlborough including the Kaikoura Coast
Valid: 12 hours from 3:00pm Tuesday to 3:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale southeasterlies gusting 120 km/h or more in exposed places.
Area: Westland and the Canterbury High Country near the Alps
Valid: 13 hours from 12:00pm Tuesday to 1:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale southeast winds with damaging gusts of 150 km/h possible in exposed places.
Area: Canterbury from Banks Peninsula northwards
Valid: 8 hours from 7:00pm Tuesday to 3:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe south to southeast gales gusting 120 km/h in exposed places.
-Stuff
