Heavy rain warning for Central North Island

Civil Defence are advising people to stay alert following a heavy rain warning issued by Metservice this morning for the Central North Island and Bay of Plenty area that could cause surface flooding.

A warm front northeast of the country is moving towards the North Island and, at the same time, a cold front over the Tasman Sea is also moving towards New Zealand. These features are expected to focus heavy rain onto the Bay of Plenty, Taupo and central North Island area during Wednesday and early Thursday. Up to 150mm of rain could fall in the Bay of Plenty ranges during Wednesday and early Thursday, with 120mm possible about the ranges of Taupo and the Tongariro National Park.

Civil Defence are urging people to be alert and take necessary cautions.

www.taupo.govt.nz

The following is the warning from Metservice:
NOT TO BE BROADCAST AFTER 09:00pm Tuesday 10-May-2011


SEVERE WEATHER WARNING.
ISSUED BY MetService AT 11:27am 10-May-2011 URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST IN: Bay Of Plenty Rotorua, Taupo, Taihape MEDIA HEAVY RAIN EXPECTED IN BAY OF PLENTY, TAUPO AND TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK DURING WEDNESDAY AND EARLY THURSDAY.
A warm front northeast of the country is moving towards the North Island and, at the same time, a cold front over the Tasman Sea is also moving towards New Zealand. These features are expected to focus heavy rain onto the Bay of Plenty, Taupo and central North Island area during Wednesday and early Thursday. Up to 150mm of rain could fall in the Bay of Plenty ranges during Wednesday and early Thursday, with 120mm possible about the ranges of Taupo and the Tongariro National Park.
People in these areas are advised that rivers may rise rapidly and surface flooding is possible, and they should keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings.
FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND FORECAST CHARTS PLEASE GO TO http://metservice.com MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS FOLLOWS.
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HEAVY RAIN WARNING
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AREA/S AFFECTED: BAY OF PLENTY
FORECAST:
Heavy rain is expected to develop early Wednesday morning and continue into Thursday. In the 30 hours from 3am Wednesday until 9am Thursday, 120 to 150mm of rain is expected about the Bay of Plenty ranges. During the same period, about 60 to 80mm is possible nearer the coast. The heaviest rain is likely Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning when intensities may reach 20 to 25mm per hour.
AREA/S AFFECTED: RANGES OF TAUPO AND THE TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK
FORECAST:
Rain is expected to become heavy during Wednesday morning. In the 24 hours from 6am Wednesday to 6am Thursday, 100 to 120mm of rain is possible about the ranges and Central Plateau mountains. The heaviest falls of rain are expected Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning, when intensities could reach 15 to 20mm per hour.
NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE 9:00pm Tuesday 10-May-2011 Forecast prepared by: Allister Gorman For further information after 1:30pm contact Duty Forecaster Erick Brenstrum A service provided through a contract with the Crown
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