Severe weather watch for central NZ
{WATCH Event 2016/1.76}
SEVERE WEATHER WATCH FOR MARLBOROUGH, CANTERBURY HIGH COUNTRY, SOUTHERN LAKES, TAUMARUNUI, TAIHAPE, CHRISTCHURCH, TARANAKI, WANGANUI, WELLINGTON ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 1001hrs 16-Feb-2016
HEAVY RAIN FOR PARTS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND AND WEST OF THE NORTH ISLAND.
ALSO, STRONG WINDS FOR CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND.
A series of fronts over the Tasman Sea, preceded by a moist northerly flow, are expected to move northeast over the South Island on Wednesday, and the remainder of New Zealand during Thursday.
Heavy rain is expected in the north and west of the South Island during Wednesday and early Thursday, and in the north and west of the North Island from late Wednesday through to Thursday. Northerly winds are also expected to become strong about central New Zealand during Wednesday and early Thursday.
The heavy rain Watch for Buller, Nelson and Marlborough has been upgraded to a warning, so that a heavy rain Warning is now in force for FIORDLAND, WESTLAND, BULLER, NELSON, MARLBOROUGH and MOUNT TARANAKI.
This Watch is for the possibilty of HEAVY RAIN reaching warning criteria in the following areas...
The OTAGO and CANTERBURY HEADWATERS:
Heavy rain is expected about the main divide from early Wednesday morning to Wednesday night. This Watch is for possibility that rainfall accumulations could exceed warning amounts within 15km east of the divide during this time.
The MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS:
Periods of heavy rain are likely on Wednesday and early Thursday morning.
TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK:
A period of heavy rain is expected from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning.
This Watch is also for the possibility of SEVERE GALES in the following areas...
CANTERBURY HIGH COUNTRY, BANKS PENINSULA, MARLBOROUGH, WELLINGTON, TARANAKI and WANGANUI:
Northerly winds are expected to rise to gale in exposed places from Wednesday afternoon to late Thursday morning, and may becoming severe during this period.
People are advised to keep up to date with forecasts in case parts of this Watch are upgraded to a Warning.
This Watch will be reviewed by 9:30pm Tuesday February 16th Forecast prepared by: Fulong Lu Forecast checked by: Peter Little
(C) Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd 2016
