Severe Weather Watch
Valid to: 8:34pm Friday 2 Mar 2012
SEVERE WEATHER WATCH FOR NORTHLAND,AUCKLAND,WAIKATO,COROMANDEL
PENINSULA,WAITOMO,BAY OF PLENTY ROTORUA,TAUMARUNUI,TAUPO,TAIHAPE,
GISBORNE,HAWKES BAY,WAIRARAPA,TARANAKI,WANGANUI,MANAWATU,WELLINGTON,
MARLBOROUGH,NELSON
ISSUED BY METSERVICE AT 2034hrs 01-Mar-2012
RAPIDLY DEEPENING LOW EXPECTED TO CROSS THE NORTH ISLAND OVERNIGHT
FRIDAY AND DURING SATURDAY WITH DESTRUCTIVE GALES AND HEAVY RAIN
ABOUT CENTRAL AND NORTHERN NEW ZEALAND.
MetService forecasters expect a low to deepen rapdily as it crosses
the Tasman Sea on Friday, and to become intense as it crosses the
North Island overnight Friday and during Saturday. Gale force winds
are expected over much of the North Island for a time with the
passage of the low. There is now an increased risk that gale force
wind winds will also affect the upper South Island for a time as well.
Marlborough and Nelson have now been included in the Severe Weather
Watch. In some places, these gales could be severe and damaging.
A period of very heavy rain is also expected over much of the North
Island, in Marlborough and also possibly Nelson.
People in the North Island, Marlborough and Nelson, particularly
those planning outdoor activities, are urged to keep up to date with
the latest forecasts as warnings will be issued closer to the event.
Although strong westerly winds are expected in Hawkes Bay tonight,
Thursday, the risk of them reaching severe gale strength is
diminishing.