Christmas storms up north, sun in south
Thunderstorms were brewing in central and southern areas of the North Island on Christmas Day, prompting MetService to issue a severe weather watch.
Daytime heating and cold temperatures at upper levels were expected to bring heavy downpours in Taumarunui and Taupo¯ through to Taihape, Whanganui, Manawatu¯ and Wairarapa. It could also affect the ranges of Horowhenua, the Ka¯ piti Coast and Hawke’s Bay.
MetService warned rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility.
However, the South Island hit the jackpot on Christmas Day, with some inland areas soaring above 30 degrees Celsius under glorious sunshine – but further north conditions were grim, MetService says.
The absence of cloud meant the central South Island was the place to be, with Wanaka the pick of the lot at 31C.
However, a low pressure system stretched across New Zealand from Westport to Kaiko¯ ura was dividing the country.
‘‘For everywhere north of that line it’s a bit grim,’’ MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said.
‘‘It’s mainly persistent rain south of Taranaki and Gisborne, which includes Wellington and the Wairarapa. North of that it’s a bit cloudy with a clear morning in some spots, but showers and thunderstorms are likely to hit.’’
Wind and rain thrashed parts of the North Island on Christmas Eve, with fire services attending to 16 weatherrelated jobs overnight.
Most callouts were for the Auckland area, Fire and Emergency northern communications shift manager Scott Osmond said.
But it was all blue skies and sun in Coromandel on Christmas Day, a welcome reprieve for holiday-makers who were hammered by rain at the weekend.
One of those to be hammered by the rain was Brando Yelavich, an explorer and self proclaimed ‘Wildboy’, who woke up to floods yesterday which had created a ‘‘new backyard lake’’.
‘‘I quickly became bored with the backyard and curious about what the neighbours’ places looked like [and] off I went in my kayak, my imagination running wild as I paddled through the willow trees,’’ Yelavich said.
His leisurely paddle took a dramatic turn when he spotted what looked like a kids rabbit hutch under the water.
‘‘As I approached I could hear something moving and splashing in the water and much to my amazement there was two very wet chickens alive and very happy to see me.’’
There was one incident in the Bay of Plenty, however, at a campground in O¯ hope, where fire services were called to help a secure a gazebo.
In the Waikato, holidaymakers were warned of the potential for more areas and roads to become flooded on the Coromandel Peninsula as a result of heavy rain on Monday night.