12 Jul 2022 | 02:42 AM UTC
New Zealand: Adverse weather forecast across much of the country through at least July 13 /update 1
Heavy rainfall, snow, and strong winds forecast much of New Zealand through at least July 13. Flooding and transport disruptions ongoing.
Event
A weather front passing over New Zealand is forecast to bring heavy rainfall, snowfall, and strong winds across many parts of the country through at least July 13. The weather front is likely to move south-southeast across the country July 12, then track eastwards away from the South Island July 13. Auckland's transport authority has warned that the strong winds could force the closure of the Harbour Bridge and have warned of delays to bus and ferry services.
As of the afternoon of July 12, the New Zealand National Meteorological Service (MetService) has issued the following warnings and watches:
Orange Heavy Rain Warning (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Coromandel Peninsula; Bay of Plenty including Rotorua; Gisborne north of Tolaga Bay; Taupo and Taihape; North Taranaki including the mountain; Tasman; the Tararua Range; Marlborough including Kaikoura Coast; Canterbury; and North Otago and Dunedin.
Orange Heavy Snow Warning: Canterbury High Country south of Waimakariri River including Mackenzie Basin.
Orange Strong Wind Warning: Tasman west of Motueka; Buller; and Westland about and north of Fox Glacier.
Orange Heavy Swell Warning: Kapiti-Porirua Coast - Otaki to Cape Terawhiti; and Wairarapa - Turakirae Head to Cape Palliser.
Yellow Heavy Rain Watch: Gisborne about and south of Tolaga Bay; Hawke's Bay; the Tararua District and Wairarapa excluding the Tararua Range; coastal Clutha; ranges of Buller; and Waikato excluding Coromandel Peninsula.
Yellow Heavy Snow Watch: Canterbury High Country about and north of Waimakariri River; inland parts of Clutha, Southland, and Fiordland south of about Manapouri; and North Otago, Central Otago, and the Queenstown Lakes.
Yellow Strong Wind Watch: Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, and Taranaki; Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, and Taihape; Whanganui, Manawatu, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wellington, and Marlborough Sounds; Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa including the Tararua District; Tasman about and east of Motueka; Westland south of Fox Glacier; and Christchurch including Banks Peninsula.
Road Snowfall Warning: Haast Pass (SH6), Lewis Pass (SH7), Lindis Pass (SH8), Arthur's Pass (SH73), Porters Pass (SH73), Milford Road (SH94), and Crown Range Road.
Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.
As of the afternoon of July 12, the following highways are closed due to flooding, landslides, and debris:
SH73 between Jacksons and Kumara and between Springfield and Castle Hill.
SH67 between Granity to Mokihinui.
SH63 between St Arnaud to Renwick.
SH25 between Wharekaho and Kuaotunu, north of Whitianga.
SH10 between Kaeo and Mangonui.
SH1 between Blenheim and Kaikoura, between Perry Road and Rangiahua Road in Horeke, and between Orewa and Warkworth.
SH8 between Tarras and Omarama (Lindis Pass) and between Fairlie and Twizel as well as SH80 Aoraki Mount Cook Highway and SH73 from Springfield to Castle Hill are closed due to heavy snow. Click here for more information on highway closures across New Zealand.
Authorities have confirmed power outages across the West Coast Region, mainly in Harihari and Buller District; outages are likely to continue through the evening of July 12. Parts of Richmond, including Hill St North, Makos St, and Marion Grove are also without power due to damaged power lines. At least 19 flights at Wellington International Airport (WLG) were canceled early July 12 due to the adverse weather; further flight cancelations and delays are possible.
Hazardous Conditions
Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where the soil has become saturated by heavy rainfall. Power outages could occur throughout the affected area.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. The disruptive weather may cause some delays and cancellations at airports in the region. Authorities may temporarily suspend port operations along the Tasman Sea if strong winds trigger hazardous sea conditions, impacting freight and passenger maritime traffic. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight cancellations are possible in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track blockages.
Disruptions triggered by inclement weather and resultant hazards, such as flooding, could persist well after conditions have improved - it could take days before any floodwaters recede and/or officials clear debris. If there is severe damage to infrastructure, repair or reconstruction efforts may result in residual disruptions.
Advice
Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business appointments before travel. Make allowances for localized travel delays and potential supply chain disruptions where flooding has been forecast. Do not drive on flooded roads. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
