North Island residents are being warned about heavy rain
which is due to hit today, as the South Island cops a
drenching.
A severe weather warning has been issued for Rotorua, Taupo
and the rest of the Bay of Plenty, forecasting heavy rain and
humid northerlies today and tomorrow.
MetService forecaster Chris Noble said bad weather would
cover most of the country today.
"A low and associated fronts will cross New Zealand bringing
heavy rain and strong winds to several parts of the
country,'' he said.
"On Friday morning, the low and its fronts move away to the
east followed by a weaker front moving up the South Island
and on to the lower North Island by the end of the day.''
Mr Noble said this front was not expected to bring widespread
heavy rain, but northwesterlies could become blustery.
He said some areas could also experience winds reaching
severe gales on Friday.
"On Saturday, a high over the Tasman Sea pushes a ridge on to
the North Island which should linger through to Monday while
a disturbed west or northwest flow covers the South Island.''
He said that in the next two days rainfall could reach
warning thresholds.
People are urged to remain up to date with the latest
forecasts, in case further warnings become necessary.
MetService has reported that about 2mm of rain fell on the
city yesterday, with 6.6mm falling in Rotorua on Tuesday,
making it the sixth wettest place in the country on that day.
WeatherWatch forecasters said some people across the country
would be happy to see the rainfall in the next few days.
"While gardeners and dairy farmers will be pleased with the
rain, grain growers will be looking forward to drier weather,
which will return by the weekend,'' forecasters said.
- Anita Moran of the Daily Post
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