A Year’s Rain In Just 6 Months

As at 2pm on Friday, MetService’s Gisborne Airport
weather station had received 990.7mm so far this year, just
9.1mm less than their average annual rainfall, 999.8mm. With
an additional burst of heavy rain on the way this evening,
it’s a near certainty that Tairāwhiti /Gisborne will have
had a years’ worth of rain within the first half of 2023.
Tairāwhiti remains under a Red Warning until midday
Sunday.

MetService Meteorologist Andrew James says,
“We’re just shy of 6 months into 2023 and already
several of our weather stations have recorded their annual
average rainfall. Auckland Airport ticked over 1193mm this
morning, 3mm beyond their annual norm, and Whenuapai has had
1270mm against an annual average of 1231mm. “

Napier
Airport has seen 930mm so far in 2023, considerably more
than the 789mm they’d see in a typical year. Hawke’s Bay
remains under an Orange Rain Warning until 9pm
Saturday.

These sodden soils in the northeast North
Island mean the current rain is particularly problematic.
This event has already seen road closures, landslips, rivers
rising to warning level and surface flood disrupting travel
through Tairāwhiti/Gisborne. Evacuations have occurred
already near rivers which are dangerously high. MetService
is monitoring the situation overnight and through the
weekend, keeping the regional council and public informed of
any updates.

Hawkes Bay’s soil is equally saturated
and under an Orange warning. The prolonged heavy rain is
likely to disrupt travel, making some roads impassable and
possibly isolating communities.

Along with the
Tairawhiti Red Warning, Orange Heavy Rain Warnings are in
place for Southern Hawkes Bay, Southern Marlborough, and the
ranges of Tasman, with Yellow Watches for Coromandel and the
remainder of Hawkes Bay.

Stay up to date with
information from your local Civil Defence along with
MetService watches and warnings. Road closure information
can be found at journeys.nzta.govt.nz
however, people have been advised to avoid travel, if
possible, in the
area.

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