Motorists negotiate SH1 floodwaters north of Whangārei on Thursday.
Photo: NZME
Northlanders can expect another belt of heavy rain to hit the region on Sunday night with the potential for a weather watch to be issued.
MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said modelling suggested another low pressure system would arrive from Australia, bringing 75-100mm of rain.
This rainfall would not be as heavy as the region had experienced in its just-finished 36-hour event on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
But it could be enough to cause flooding and slips in some areas, given the sodden nature of the ground across the region.
Lynden said Northlanders would be able to enjoy reasonable weather over the weekend.
The sun would be out for the most part through the rest of Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning.
But the effects of the next incoming low pressure would start to be seen with thickening cloud on Sunday afternoon. Wind would remain light, but strengthen with the incoming low pressure system.
Floodwaters covering farmland near Kawakawa en route to the Bay of Islands on Thursday.
Photo: NZME
Rain would start between 9pm and 11pm on Sunday night. Wind would increase to around gale force or 65km/h.
He said the incoming weather would not last as long as this week’s event was. It would impact for only about a day.
But it had the potential to approach criteria for a watch to be issued.
The settlement of Kerikeri received Northland’s heaviest rainfall during the weather event of Wednesday and Thursday this week with 225.4mm of rain.
Lynden said the settlement was part of the heaviest rainfall across the region, covering an area from Kaikohe to Kerikeri and north to about halfway up Ninety Mile Beach.
Northland Mayoral Forum chair and Far North Mayor Moko Tepania is urging people to take care of each other amidst heavy weather events.
Photo: NZME
Next week’s incoming low brought the potential for rainfall intensities of 15-25mm, but in isolated pockets.
The weather would be highly variable across the region.
Northland Mayoral Forum chair and Far North Mayor Moko Tepania said people should seek help if needed and look out for family and friends.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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