MetService

In the three years since the MetService introduced Red Warnings for extreme weather, the country has experienced seven severe weather events warranting a ...

Red Warning for Heavy Rain issued. Red Warning for Heavy Rain issued. Major roading impacts caused by raging rivers, slips and flooding, and damage to power lines, A state of emergency was declared for the Tairawhiti region. Most of the damage from the heavy rain had been along the road network. The rain moved its way up the country to the North Island throughout Waitangi weekend. Northwesterlies were forecast to gust up to 160kmh in exposed parts of the Canterbury high country but only reached as high as 130kmh. Extreme rainfall event 300-400mm of rain over a 48-hour period which caused significant flooding in Canterbury. Rainfall totals of 200mm were observed along the Canterbury foothills, peaking at 540mm for the event at Mt Somers in the headwaters of the Ashburton River leading to widespread flooding. Red Warning for Heavy Rain issued. Extreme rainfall event of 1000mm at Milford in 50 hours which caused significant flooding and major damage to SH94 isolating Milford and trapping tourists. “We work closely with regional councils ahead of issuing the Red Warnings and during the events to understand local concerns. “We know from a scientific study into the Canterbury flooding a year ago that it was 10-25 percent more intense because of climate change. “Our warnings let people know when and where the severe weather is going to hit, and what impacts to expect.