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Source: Radio New Zealand

MetService said a front was moving north over the South Island into Christmas Day, and was expected to affect areas from Waikato and Bay of Plenty north on Boxing Day. Supplied/ MetService

People in the Bay of Plenty and from Waikato northwards are being warned to batten down the hatches for a wild Boxing Day, with a slow moving storm front expected to shift north from the South Island.

Thunderstorms could be on the way for those regions, with localised downpours and gusts up to 90 km/h from the afternoon of 26 December, MetService said.

A yellow heavy rain watch was also issued by forecasters for the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane, through to Saturday 27 December. People in those areas should expect periods of heavy rain, with downpours, and rainfall that could approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges.

Wet Christmas Day continues, as front lingers in some parts of the South Island

As expected, it has turned into a wet and windy Christmas Day for some parts of the South Island, with forecasters keeping heavy rain warnings and watches fixed for the West Coast and inland, as the front stays overhead for now.

For Christmas Day, MetService forecasters warned a front could move northwards over the South Island into early Christmas morning, but would then become slow moving around the northern parts of the island.

Orange heavy rain warnings issued late Wednesday for the ranges in Buller, Westland and Grey districts (from Arthur’s Pass northwards) and the Canterbury Headwaters (also from Arthur’s Pass northwards) remained in place through Thursday, with cautions thunderstorms were possible, and up to 120-130mm of rain could fall on top of what had already fallen.

These conditions that could still be in effect until 6am Friday for some areas, forecasters said.

Yellow heavy rain watches issued earlier for the Tasman District, the ranges of the Westland District (from Mount Cook to Arthur’s Pass), and the Canterbury Headwaters (also from Mount Cook to Arthur’s Pass) were also kept in place through Thursday. With the expectation of a moderate chance these watches could be be upgraded to warnings.

A strong wind watch for winds approaching gales in exposed parts of the Canterbury High Country and near the foothills expired during the morning of Christmas Day.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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