Weather warnings extended to more regions as heavy rain continues over upper North Island

Weather warnings have been extended to more regions as heavy rainfall and gales sweep over much of the country, with even more rain expected for the upper North Island today.

The heavy rain warning for Northland was over by 6am this morning, with MetService last night predicting an additional 60 to 80mm of rain south of the Bay of Islands on top of the 70-100mm already accumulated.

Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty west of Matata, Tasman northwest of Motueka and the ranges of Westland south of Otira also have a heavy rain warning in place.

MetService warned the Bay of Plenty warning may go beyond Friday as further bursts of heavy rain were possible, with 140 to 200mm of rain accumulation forecast.

As of Thursday morning, Tasman northwest of Motueka appeared to have one of the biggest rainfall accumulation predictions, with about 200 to 250mm.

Auckland, including Great Barrier Island, has a strong wind warning in place, with gales reaching 110km/h in exposed places.

Heavy rain may reach warning levels in the region, especially in the north and east, MetService said. Mount Taranaki, the Richmond and Bryant ranges including the Rai Valley, and the Marlborough Sounds also have a heavy rain watch in place.

Northland has a strong wind watch in force, along with Waikato, Coromandel and western Bay of Plenty to Taranaki and Taihape.

NIWA said the heaviest rainfall today was likely in Coromandel and possibly in Auckland, Waikato and Tasman in the top of the South.

Periods of heavy rain will continue on Friday and Saturday, spreading eastward.

NIWA said this would be a long-duration weather event.

This is satellite derived radar showing the location and intensity of rain. Note the heavy rain () to the north over the ocean. This is moving south.

The message:

More rain, some very heavy, will impact the upper North Island today. pic.twitter.com/8gpwV4YEUG

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 4, 2023

‘Avoid travel at all costs’, people in Coromandel warned

Wild weather has closed roads in Coromandel, cutting power and bringing down slips overnight.

Up to 180mm of rain has fallen so far, more than 200 houses are without power in Whangamatā and Tapu, and the road connecting the west and east coasts is closed due to a large slip.

Waka Kotahi is warning motorists to drive to the conditions and keep a safe distance between cars.

Police said they were monitoring main routes in the north as some holidaymakers returned from holidays early due to the weather.

Civil Defence controller Garry Towler said State Highway 25 south of Whitianga and at Coromandel Town was flooding and may close soon.

“There was a mass exodus and the police reported that our highways were very, very busy but they functioned well and I think everybody that has wanted to leave has gone.

“Things are looking pretty messy today and our advisory is for everyone just to stay put, avoid travel at all costs, and stay away from the beaches, streams and rivers, and just be safe today.”

Thames Business Association said the road closures and slips could be an issue for local businesses.

Chief executive Sue Lewis-O’Halloran said over this summer, the town was as busy as ever.

“The issue will be if they cannot get supplies if roads are closed, if trees are down.

“Those of us who live up the coast will be keeping an eye on recommendations for road closures because it’s not uncommon for there to be slips and trees down and that sort of thing.”

The wild weather has also wiped out the holiday traffic that many businesses rely on in Northland, where hundreds fled local camp sites and upcoming bookings were cancelled.

Northland Chamber of Commerce President Tim Robinson said while businesses have got creative with managing low bookings during the pandemic, they had been hanging out for a summer without any Covid-19 restrictions.

While the current weather would hurt the finances of some businesses, he was optimistic open borders would boost international visitor numbers this year.

Thames-Coromandel District Council urged holidaymakers to head home or hunker down ahead of the intense rain and wind.