Heatwave broken as ex-cyclone generated storm looms

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Updated: 8:20am – A severe weather warning is in place for most of the country as former Tropical Cyclone Fehi arrived overnight.

MetService duty forecaster Raveen Das told Morning Report that the cyclone had turned into a deep low over the Tasman Sea.

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The low was forecast to move south east across the country today bringing heavy rain and severe gales to most places, he said.

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The West Coast of the South Island was expected to bear the brunt of the weather, with significant rain forecast.

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Lower Westland and Fiordland were reporting rainfall rates of about 15 – 20 millimetres per hour and that was expected to go up to about 40mm per hour.

Heavy rain was also expected for Mt Taranaki and Tararua Range.

Meanwhile, rain is starting to hit Northland and should reach Auckland with potential thunderstorms this afternoon.

The strongest winds were likely to be in Westland, Buller, Canterbury High Country, Nelson, Marlborough , Wellington and southern Taranaki, and a Strong Wind Warning is in force for these areas, MetService said.

Southland has activated its emergency co-ordination centre as the dry spell finally broke.

Farmers were moving their stock to higher ground ahead of the storm.

West Coast Federated Farmers president Katie Milne said all rivers in the area were prone to flooding and farmers needed to be vigilant with their stock.

Today’s weather forecast

Auckland

Showers, then rain from late morning, downpours and possible afternoon thunder. Strong, gusty northeast, changing southwest overnight. High 25°C; Low 19°C

Hamilton

Showers turn to rain late morning, downpours and possible thunderstorms from afternoon. Strong, gusty northerlies change westerly overnight. High 25°C; 17°C

Tauranga

Showers, turn to rain afternoon with downpours and possible thunderstorms. Strong northerlies, change southwest overnight. High 24°C; Low 19°C

Wellington

Few spots of rain, becoming persistent afternoon with heavy falls. Northerly gale, easing from afternoon. High 25°C; Low 15°C

Christchurch

Mostly cloudy, chance shower. Rain from evening as strong northeast turns strong or gale southwest. High 31°C; Low 9°C

Dunedin

Rain with heavy falls, easing evening. Winds changing gale southerly this morning, easing evening. High 22°C; Low 11°C

Invercargill

Rain, heavy at times, easing evening. Strong southeast turning southwest by evening. High 17°C; Low 9°C

– MetService / RNZ

Featured image: Rain is falling mostly on the South Island this morning. Photo: MetService

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