'Serious' widespread gales and rain set to batter North Island

Saturday, 12 February 2022

Much of New Zealand is bracing for the arrival of more rain and high winds from ex-tropical cyclone Dovi. In Taranaki, Lyla Tanswell takes advantage of the puddles on a rainy afternoon.

Cyclone Dovi - which will be ex-tropical cyclone Dovi when it gets here - is on track to bring widespread, damaging gales across the North Island, including Auckland on Sunday.

The winds could see the city’s harbour bridge closed for several hours, Waka Kotahi said.

Flooding is being reported around South Taranaki, due to heavy rain that precedes high winds predicted for Sunday (file photo).

Damaging winds may also affect Wellington, Marlborough Sounds, Taranaki, Waikato, Auckland, Northland and later on Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay (and those bordering these regions).

“Winds over 100km/h can damage vegetation which can therefore impact powerlines and even property. People should ensure mobile devices are charged tonight, and outdoor items put away or tied down,” Weatherwatch.co.nz lead forecaster Philip Duncan said.

The storm’s effects are still uncertain due to Dovi directly moving into the North Island and entirely changing structure over Sunday/Monday - but this is shaping up to be a serious event for New Zealand, in particular the North Island and very upper South Island, Duncan said.

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The strong winds will circle the entire North Island with Dovi's centre likely to make landfall somewhere around Waitomo.

Winds will ramp up quickly overnight tonight with peak winds across Sunday as Dovi moves in and over the North Island.

Auckland will be exposed to damaging winds on Sunday both from the north-east in the morning and then again from the west to north-west later in the afternoon and/or evening.

Gusts may exceed 120km/h and possibly even 150km/h on the Manukau Heads, depending on where Dovi precisely comes in.

Other places, like Wellington and Taranaki, will see southerlies gradually rise to gale force with gusts to 100km/h on Sunday (with rain tapering off slowly).

Rain is already heavy today in central NZ ahead of Dovi.

Wellington is expecting 80mm today, which could lead to slips and flooding.

The rain will slide down into North Canterbury too, but problems (like slips) will be more likely northwards going into coastal Marlborough.

“On Sunday we'll see those rain clouds break up and spread eastwards over the North Island,” Duncan said.

If Dovi weakens faster, then that will significantly reduce wind damage - but if it retains strength there is a chance for widespread power outages and wind damage.

Waka Kotahi is advising people to prepare for road closures and delay non-essential travel in areas affected by the storm.

National emergency response team leader Mark Owen said the severe winds could force the closure of the Auckland harbour bridge for several hours on Sunday.

“We’re keeping a very close eye on the situation, with maintenance crews ready to react if wind gusts reach the predicted levels,” he said in a statement.

Drivers of high sided vehicles and motorcyclists are being encouraged to avoid the bridge and use the Western Ring on State Highways 16 and 18.

The cyclone, which passed over New Caledonia and Vanuatu earlier this week, has been preceded by high temperatures and humid conditions in many areas.

For information check your local WeatherWatch.co.nz or RuralWeather.co.nz forecast for your area or suburb.