Extreme weather in New Zealand

New Zealand is expecting a weather bomb in the night

This is what it looks like

Live: Gales, heavy rain and snow on the way

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/94919282/live-gales-heavy-rain-and-snow-on-the-way

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• There is heavy traffic in Auckland this evening

• Northern parts of the North Island, including Northland, Auckland and Coromandel, are in for heavy downpours and gales
• There's also a chance of thunderstorms
• A severe weather warning has been issued for Rotorua and Bay of Plenty
• On Friday, snow and heavy rain are expected in eastern parts of the South Island
• Some parts could get up to 1m of snow
• The heaviest rain is expected between Christchurch and Dunedin
• NZTA is preparing for highway disruptions in parts of the South Island

Send your weather pics and videos to: newstips@stuff.co.nz

UPDATED JUL 20, 2017 5:46 PM

Jul 20, 2017 7:51 PM

Stuff Editors

Here's an update from Vector on the power situation in Auckland:

Winds are keeping our crews busy, and in some difficult conditions. At the moment for weather related outages we have:

• St Heliers power outage – numbers not known yet.
• A car hit a tree which damaged power pole and lines in Whitford. The pole needs to be replaced. 1488 properties were affected initially, we’ve reduced that to 111.
• Small outage on Waiheke. Wind speed recorded north of Waiheke at 63 kmh.
• Small outages in Helensville and South Head with lines affected by winds.

Jul 20, 2017 7:42 PM

Stuff Editors

Jul 20, 2017 7:21 PM

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Wind has downed power lines near Helensville and South Head, north of Auckland, a Vector spokeswoman has confirmed.

Power is also reportedly out in the Auckland suburb of St Heliers.

At this stage it is unsure how many households are affected.

UPDATED JUL 20, 2017 7:31 PM

Jul 20, 2017 7:05 PM

Stuff Editors

Here's note from police in the deep south about driving safe in the expected bad weather: 

Southern District Police want motorists to take it easy on the roads over the next few days as a significant weather event hits.

Heavy rain and gales in some places are forecast for the South Island’s east coast over the next two days.

Police are working closely with local councils and other emergency services to ensure we are well prepared to deal with this weather event.

Conditions like this can make driving more difficult.

For that reason, we want motorists to plan ahead so they can avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

If you must hit the road, please remember to be aware of the conditions around you and adjust accordingly.

Motorists need to keep their speeds down, allow plenty of stopping distance and be mindful of surface flooding, snow and ice.

With strong gales expected, you should also make sure you anticipate big gusts.

Hold onto the steering wheel firmly and take special care when driving through areas known for being windy.

When a clear and cold day follows a day of rain, surplus moisture on the roads will freeze over and create a high probability for black ice.

Motorists, particularly those on an early commute, will need to take extreme care when driving.

Any patches of road which appear wet will likely be ice and should be treated as such.

Police also advise people to check their vehicles and tyres are roadworthy and ensure all windows are completely clear of ice before getting behind the wheel.

It’s also a good idea to carry a fully charged mobile phone and have a blanket, snacks and water on hand in case of an emergency or a breakdown.

Monitoring weather conditions and being prepared before you hit the road are simple steps to take to ensure you get to your destination safely.

Allow extra time for your journey and remember - the speed limit is not a target, it's the maximum legal speed that you can travel at on a road in ideal conditions - and they often don't exist on our roads in winter.

If you must drive, check your route is clear and safe to use, before you hit the road by visiting the NZTA website www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic.

Staying indoors will not only mean you stay warm and dry, but also that you’re keeping yourself safe.

UPDATED JUL 20, 2017 7:06 PM

Jul 20, 2017 6:57 PM

Stuff Editors

Wet, wild weather but hopefully no dam woes for Edgecumbe

There is plenty of rain, but thankfully for the Bay of Plenty region, there is plenty of room in Lake Matahina.

Stuff | by MATT SHAND

Jul 20, 2017 6:45 PM

Stuff Editors

The North Island at 6.45pm - taking a drenching. credit: MetService

Jul 20, 2017 6:38 PM

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Jul 20, 2017 6:37 PM

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Jul 20, 2017 6:37 PM

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Power has been restored to residents in Ellerslie and Remuera in Auckland after an outage earlier in the day.

Jul 20, 2017 6:32 PM

Stuff Editors

MetService has issued strong wind advisories for the Manukau Harbour, Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf.

On the Waitemata Harbour, a northeast wind rising to 25 knots and gusting to 35 knots is expected on Thursday evening, and for a time on Friday morning.

On the Manukau Harbour, a northwest wind rising to 25 knots and gusting 35 knots is expected about midday Friday.

A strong wind advisory is also in place for the Hauraki Gulf, from Bream Head to Cape Colville. The northeast wind is expected to rise to 30 knots and gust to 45 knots, changing to northwest this evening. On Friday afternoon, it is expected to rise again to 30 knots, gusting 40 knots for a time.

Jul 20, 2017 6:25 PM

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Jul 20, 2017 6:25 PM

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Power company Unison says hundreds of customers in the Rotorua region are without power.

credit: Unison

Jul 20, 2017 6:07 PM

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Jul 20, 2017 5:59 PM

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The Auckland rain radar at 6pm credit: MetService

Jul 20, 2017 5:57 PM

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Rain in Auckland is forecast to get heavier and reach a peak around 8pm.

credit: MetService

Jul 20, 2017 5:51 PM

Stuff Editors

Vector were expecting strong winds and rain across the city and encouraged people to stay away from any downed power lines, spokeswoman Maline Tuala said.

Jul 20, 2017 5:50 PM

Stuff Editors

An UPDATE from reporter Brooke Bath in Auckland:

As wet and windy weather sets in across Auckland, residents around the suburbs of Ellerslie and Remuera are without power.

A power line was down in the area and crews were working to investigate, according to Vector.

The outage was reported about 4.20pm on Thursday and the estimated time of power restoration was 7.30pm. 

Also in the area, traffic lights were affected at the intersection of Ladies Mile and Upland Rd in Ellerslie.

Traffic lights were also flashing yellow at East Coast Rd and Oteha Valley Rd intersection in North Shore. 

Auckland Transport warned motorist to take extra care and follow give way rules.

Jul 20, 2017 5:47 PM

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Jul 20, 2017 5:44 PM

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Jul 20, 2017 5:22 PM

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Looking north along the southern motorway from Greenlane interchange. credit: NZTA

Jul 20, 2017 5:17 PM

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Jul 20, 2017 5:04 PM

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Tomorrow isn't so flash down south.

Jul 20, 2017 5:01 PM

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Heavy rain over the upper North Island at 5pm on Thursday. credit: MetService

Jul 20, 2017 4:56 PM

Stuff Editors

This gives a good idea of the volume of moisture streaming south from the tropics.

Jul 20, 2017 4:55 PM

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A band of rain approaching Northland around midday. credit: MetService

Jul 20, 2017 4:53 PM

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Around Thames and Gisborne, it's currently 19C!

Jul 20, 2017 4:53 PM

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Hi folks, the MetService is warning the storm moving down the country will dump more rain than expected.

Jul 20, 2017 8:50 AM

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Satellite image at 6am on Thursday. credit: METSERVICE

Jul 20, 2017 8:50 AM

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Rain covers Auckland, Hawke's Bay and the Tasman district in the forecast for 9pm, Thursday. credit: METSERVICE

Jul 20, 2017 8:48 AM

Stuff Editors

Storm to hit with gales, heavy rain and snow - and tornado risk

MetService is warning of the chance of a small coastal tornado as a storm bringing gales, snow and torrential rain moves down the country. Heavy rain and gales are expected across much of the North Island on Thursday, followed by heavy rain and snow in eastern parts of the South Island on Friday.

Stuff | by MICHAEL DALY AND LIZ MCDONALD