Heavy rain and storms caused by the former Cyclone Tam system are continuing
Photo: Unsplash

Heavy rain has pelted central New Zealand overnight and former Cyclone Tam is still lighting up weather warnings across many parts of the country, while a slip on the Brynderwyn Hills has slowed State Highway 1.

Overnight, central New Zealand had the most rain, with Wellington recording 31mm of rain in the first five hours of Easter Monday and more heavy rain forecast for the day.

MetService has issued heavy rain alerts for large parts of the South Island – orange heavy rain warnings for parts of Tasman and North Canterbury; and yellow heavy rain watches for Buller, parts of Tasman, Marlborough, North Canterbury, Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

A yellow severe thunderstorm watch is also in place for Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Taihape, with forecasters warning the slow-moving weather system is likely to bring heavy rain, localised downpours, possible hail, and surface or flash flooding.

In Northland, torrential rain overnight caused a major slip on the Brynderwyn Hills, south of Whangārei.

Speed restrictions are in place on the Brynderwyns section of State Highway One, and Waka Kotahi has advised drivers to allow more time or consider delaying their journey. Last year, the road was closed for four months, due to slips.

Auckland on alert Sunday evening

West Auckland caught another quick lashing from a belt of thunderstorms on Sunday evening, when mobile alerts were sent out.

Firefighters attended eight weather callouts and reported flooding that affecting properties in the western suburbs of Titirangi and Green Bay.

RNZ is New Zealand’s statutory civil defence lifeline radio broadcaster, providing vital information and updates as they come to hand. RNZ National frequencies on FM and AM are available here.

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