Severe gales batter Peninsula

A severe weather warning remains in place for Coromandel Peninsula.

MetService says northerly gales may become severe for a time this morning or afternoon as a trough moves across from the west.

Photo: file.

A severe weather warning is also in place for the Bay of Plenty as heavy rain is forecast over the region.

MetService is predicting a burst of heavy and possibly thundery rain to hit the ranges of Eastern Bay of Plenty on Monday afternoon.

Between 80mm to 100mm of rain is expected to accumulate across the region in the 12 hours between midday and midnight on Monday. Peak intensities of around 25mm per hour are expected.

The severe weather warning is for Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Coromandel Peninsula and Rotorua, with heavy rain and gales for many places as a significant trough moves across New Zealand.

A broad, complex trough, preceded by a strong, moist northerly flow, is expected to slowly pass east over the country during Monday. A band of very heavy rain and northerly gales precede this trough, affecting the South Island tonight and Monday, then the North Island during Monday.

The heaviest falls are expected in the west and north of the South Island, and also about Taranaki, Tongariro National Park and the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty.

Largest accumulations are likely in the ranges of Nelson and Mt Taranaki where over 200mm of rain may accumulate in a 24 hour period.

This is a significant amount of rain even for these areas and people there are advised that rivers and streams will rise rapidly and that surface flooding and slips are likely, as well as hazardous driving conditions.

Severe northerly gales are also expected in Taranaki, the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington during Monday, where gusts of 120-130km/h are possible. Winds of this strength have the potential to damage trees, powerlines and insecure structures, as well as make driving conditions hazardous.

Motorists are urged to drive safely, as they return home from the long weekend.

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