Key Takeaways
- A slow-moving storm front is expected to shift north from the South Island on Boxing Day, affecting areas from Waikato and Bay of Plenty north.
- Thunderstorms, localized downpours, and gusts up to 90 km/h are possible in the affected regions.
- A yellow heavy rain watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane, with periods of heavy rain and downpours expected.
- The top half of the North Island can expect a wild Boxing Day, with warnings and watches in place for heavy rain and strong winds.
- The South Island is experiencing a wet and windy Christmas Day, with heavy rain warnings and watches in place for the West Coast and inland.
Introduction to the Weather Forecast
A front is moving north over the South Island into Christmas Day, and is expected to affect areas from Waikato and Bay of Plenty north on Boxing Day. According to MetService, people in the Bay of Plenty and from Waikato northwards should prepare for a wild Boxing Day, with thunderstorms, localized downpours, and gusts up to 90 km/h possible from the afternoon of 26 December. A yellow heavy rain watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane, with periods of heavy rain and downpours expected through to Saturday 27 December.
Current Weather Conditions in the South Island
The South Island is experiencing a wet and windy Christmas Day, with forecasters keeping heavy rain warnings and watches fixed for the West Coast and inland. The front is expected to stay overhead for now, with orange heavy rain warnings issued for the ranges in Buller, Westland, and Grey districts, as well as the Canterbury Headwaters. These warnings are in place through Thursday, with cautions that thunderstorms are possible, and up to 120-130mm of rain could fall on top of what had already fallen. The conditions are expected to remain in effect until 6am Friday for some areas.
Weather Warnings and Watches
MetService has issued several warnings and watches for the South Island, including a strong wind watch for winds approaching gales in exposed parts of the Canterbury High Country and near the foothills. Yellow heavy rain watches have been issued for the Tasman District, the ranges of the Westland District, and the Canterbury Headwaters. These watches are in place through Thursday, with a moderate chance that they could be upgraded to warnings. The strong wind watch expired during the morning of Christmas Day, but the other warnings and watches remain in place.
Expected Weather Conditions on Boxing Day
The top half of the North Island can expect a wild Boxing Day, with thunderstorms, localized downpours, and gusts up to 90 km/h possible. The slow-moving storm front is expected to shift north from the South Island, affecting areas from Waikato and Bay of Plenty north. People in these regions should prepare for the bad weather, with warnings and watches in place for heavy rain and strong winds. The yellow heavy rain watch issued for the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane is expected to remain in place through to Saturday 27 December.
Conclusion and Precautions
In conclusion, the weather forecast for the next few days is looking wet and wild, with a slow-moving storm front expected to shift north from the South Island on Boxing Day. People in the affected regions should prepare for the bad weather, with thunderstorms, localized downpours, and gusts up to 90 km/h possible. It is essential to stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts and warnings, and to take necessary precautions to ensure safety. Sign up for daily newsletters and follow MetService on social media to stay informed about the latest weather conditions.
