Heavy Rain and Strong Winds on the Way for Golden Bay

The Metservice has issued a severe weather warning for North-West Nelson for tonight (26/4) as a result of a broad trough of low pressure over the Tasman Sea moving onto New Zealand.

The trough will bring with it heavy rain from midnight Thursday to early Friday morning over the Golden Bay area.

The ranges may receive 80mm of rain overnight on Thursday. Although this is not an unusual amount of rain for these areas and the rivers are currently low, people are advised rivers and streams may rise rapidly.

In the 9 hours from 10pm Thursday to 7am Friday, expect 60 to 80mm of rain, peak intensities of 10 to 15mm/hr are expected after midnight Thursday.

There is a risk that a few thunderstorms accompanying the rain may become severe potentially supporting very squally wind gusts of 120 km/hr or more.

Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management, Tasman District Council and its contractors will be monitoring the situation.

Residents are reminded that if anyone believes they may be at personal risk from either flooding or high winds should dial 111.