Weather News

Wet and muddy conditions for NZ's North Island

Kim Westcott, Friday July 8, 2016 - 14:11 AEST

A very slow-moving low pressure system is causing havoc over New Zealand's North Island.

Throughout the east, there were several calls for assistance. Flooded roads caused chaos for drivers trying to beat the school holiday traffic. Swollen rivers, rock falls and slips also cut off townships such as Tairua, with 180mm reported to have fallen overnight.

Today and into Saturday morning, the wettest weather looks to fall over Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. Residents in the Bay of Plenty and the Tararua district will also need the wet weather gear on as well.

With another 80-120mm expected today on what has already fallen, parts of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay are in for a wet 24 hours. While the warning for the Coromandel and Western Bay of Plenty has been lifted, pockets of heavy showers are still likely today.

Along with the rain, this system is also expected to produce gale force winds today and into Saturday morning affecting Westland, Buller, North Island High Country and Eastern Bay of Plenty. Out on the water, this low is also churning up the seas in the Subtropic waters creating terrible conditions for boaties.

In anticipation of this rain, some councils have already closed sporting fields, affecting Saturday's games. For those participating in the "Bay of Islands Beast", thanks to the heavy rain falling earlier, the challenge course will be sporting extra muddy and boggy conditions.

In the wake of this system on Saturday afternoon, cool southeasterlies will move in, so taking an extra layer is advised if you are heading outdoors.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2016

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