There will be significant severe weather associated with Cyclone Gita, and MetService has issued the latest update to the Severe Weather Warnings and Watches.

Cyclone Gita is expected to approach New Zealand from the northwest during Monday and early Tuesday. It is likely Gita will move southeast across the upper South Island and the lower North Island late Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing a period of high-impact severe weather to many parts of New Zealand. People should be aware of the potential for coastal inundation, especially where high waves, low atmospheric pressure and strong onshore winds come together. Heavy rain may affect some areas and there is a potential for rapidly rising streams and rivers and flooding. Furthermore severe gales associated with Gita are likely, so people are advised to secure property and items that may be blown away by strong wind gusts.

Issued: 3:14pm Sunday 18 Feb 2018
Valid from Tuesday 20 February 2018 to Friday 23 February 2018

On Tuesday and Wednesday there is a high confidence of warning amounts of rain for the South Island from Westland and Canterbury northwards, and the lower North Island from Horowhenua to Wellington including Wairarapa and the Tararua Range. The confidence of heavy rain is considered to be moderate farther north over the North Island from Taranaki and the central plateau southeastwards to Manawatu,also about North Otago of the South Island.

In addition, on Tuesday and Wednesday, there is a high confidence of severe gales in exposed parts of Westland, the Canterbury high country, Buller, Nelson, Marlborough, Wellington, Kapiti, Wairarapa and Taranaki. There is a low confidence of severe gales in a broader area from Auckland, Coromandel and Hawkes Bay southwards, including Fiordland.

Furthermore, cold air being dragged northwards by the Cyclone may lead to snow falling to unseasonably low levels about the Canterbury High Country on Tuesday. It is unlikely the snow will warrant a widespread snow warning,but may still affect some of the alpine roads around Canterbury.

Heavy Rain Warning

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Area: Nelson and Buller

Valid: 12 hours from 9:00am to 9:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate west of Motueka,with lesser amounts elsewhere. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/hr possible.

Area: Marlborough including the Kaikoura Coast
Valid: 12 hours from 10:00am to 10:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate about higher ground, and lesser amounts elsewhere. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/hr possible.

Area: Wellington
Valid: 24 hours from 1:00am Tuesday to 1:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Expect 100 to 120mm of rain to accumulate.

Area: The ranges of Westland, also the Canterbury High Country and foothills
Valid: 15 hours from 1:00pm Tuesday to 4:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Expect 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/hr possible.

Strong Wind Warning

Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Area: Taranaki, Taihape, Whanganui
Valid: 10 hours from 3:00pm Tuesday to 1:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale north to northwest winds gusting 120 km/h in exposed parts of North Taranaki, but damaging gusts of 140 km/h in exposed parts of South Taranaki, Wanganui and Taihape.

Area: Nelson and Buller
Valid: 7 hours from 3:00pm to 10:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Severe gale east to northeast winds with damaging gusts of 140 km/h in exposed places.

Area: Marlborough including the Kaikoura Coast
Valid: 12 hours from 4:00pm Tuesday to 4:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale southeasterlies gusting 130 km/h in exposed places.

Area: Westland and the Canterbury High Country near the Alps
Valid: 14 hours from 11:00am Tuesday to 1:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale southeast winds with damaging gusts of 150 km/h possible in exposed places.

Area: Canterbury from Banks Peninsula northwards
Valid: 8 hours from 7:00pm Tuesday to 3:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe south to southwest gales gusting 120 km/h in exposed places.

Warnings no longer in force

Heavy rain warning lifted for: Fiordland: Heavy rain has now eased.