East Coast weather: Orange heavy rain, wind watches and warnings for Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne
Multiple weather watches and warnings will go into effect from Tuesday morning for Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne as both regions prepare for a lashing of “severe” gales and heavy rain.
An orange heavy rain warning will be in place for 36 hours from 9am Tuesday until 9pm Wednesday for Hawke’s Bay north of State Highway 5 to Gisborne and south of Tolaga Bay, with 150 to 180mm of rain expected inland and 80 to 120mm of rain about the coast.
MetService meteorologists have indicated the slight potential for this warning to escalate to a red warning and have also warned of the possibility of further rain from Wednesday night into Thursday.
“The current warnings are forecast for the peak of the bad weather,” MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said on Monday.
“What we’ve had is a big low-pressure system sitting out in the Tasman Sea for the last two weeks, and this is sort of like its last play in the game. A smaller low-pressure system looks to develop quite quickly off the East Cape for two days.”
Peak intensities of rain would range from 10 to 15mm/h and could be expected from Tuesday afternoon until before dawn on Wednesday, with surface flooding and slips a possibility.
The areas about Hawke’s Bay and south of State Highway 5 would also be under a heavy rain watch that could increase to a warning during this same period.
An orange strong wind warning will also take effect for 18 hours from 4pm Tuesday until 10am Wednesday for Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay from Wairoa north, including Mahia Peninsula.
Severe gales are expected, with southerlies gusting 120km/h in exposed places. Most of the extreme wind is expected to be felt in coastal areas.
A Facebook post from Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management group said on Monday that the weather looked “like a typical winter storm”.
“Heavy rain can cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are possible. Strong wind gusts like these could damage trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures.”
People were also advised to secure any outdoor items like wheelie bins, trampolines and outdoor furniture that may blow around.
Ferris said people should take it “as easily as they can” on Tuesday and Wednesday and be cautious when driving and walking around coastal and inland areas.
“It is the type of situation where we could see delays around roading, and there is the potential for some power outages with the amount of wind.”
He said the low-pressure system would “move away to the east” towards the end of the working week in time for the Matariki long weekend.
“It looks like an intense couple of days, but it’s the end of a system that’s been bothering us for the past two weeks.
“There is a risk of a little bit of rain coming across from the west on Saturday, but I wouldn’t say that’s certain. Regarding the long weekend, it looks like the weather will be nicer than you’ll see over the next few days.”
In the lead-up to Matariki weekend, two public water-themed Matariki events in Hastings, one set to be held at the recently opened Hastings Waiaroha Water Centre, have been cancelled due to the impending wet weather.
People could continue following the MetService website for further weather and warning updates.
Mitchell Hageman joined Hawke’s Bay Today in January 2023. From his Napier base, he writes regularly on social issues, arts and culture, and the community.