Weather: Flooding closes part of SH2 near Wellington due to rain, strong winds and unusually high temperatures

Fire and Emergency duty manager Belinda Beets said there had been “several” weather-related calls this morning, including flooding of properties, but no homes had yet been flooded.

FENZ has received reports from across the Hutt, including people from Stokes Valley, Kelson, Waterloo and Woburn, particularly around the Waiwhetū stream.

FENZ reminds people to call immediately if they experience a threat to life or property.

Wellington police described “terrible conditions” this morning and urged road users to take extreme caution and limit essential travel.

In a post on social media, they said several roads had experienced flooding and landslides, including parts of SH2, particularly between Petone and Silverstream.

MetService said a heavy rain warning was in place for Wellington and the Kapiti Coast, with 50 to 70 millimetres of rain expected in the 12 hours to 6pm on Monday. Thunderstorms were also possible, with peak rainfall of 15 to 25 millimetres per hour.

The weather service said river levels could rise quickly and the rains could cause ground flooding, landslides and difficult driving conditions.

Early Spring Medicine

Potential thunderstorms and high winds to bring a taste of spring to New Zealand weather Some central areas in the east will also experience mild temperatures this week.

After a weekend Stormy Weather in the West South Island – Weather Services Several warnings and alerts were issued overnight from Southland to Grey and Buller districts, with more instability likely over the coming days.

“From the start of spring, a broad west-to-northwesterly flow will cover the country, which means active fronts will pass through and there will be plenty of strong northwesterly or westerly winds,” MetService meteorologist Gerard Bellam said.

“Most of the rain will again be concentrated in the west – particularly the western South Island – but some will reach the western North Island, and strong, gusty winds will also reach the western North Island.”

A heavy rain warning is in place for the Tararua Ranges throughout the day on Monday.

There is a chance further rainfall warnings may be needed for the western South Island and central North Island, from Taranaki to the eastern Bay of Plenty, on Tuesday.

Warning amounts of rainfall are also possible in the Tararua Ranges and Mount Taranaki.

The northwesterly air is expected to spread across southern and central New Zealand by Wednesday, with the embedded front bringing more rain to the southwest.

North-westerly winds are also likely to reach severe gale force in the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Wairarapa and Tararua on Thursday.

The good news, Bellem said, is that this weather pattern will provide much-needed replenishment of southern hydro lakes while also bringing warmth to growing pastures across the country.

After temperatures hit double figures in some areas over the weekend, warmer weather is likely across the east this week, with centres such as Napier and Hastings expected to reach the teens and low 20s.

Niwa forecaster Ben Noll said the western and northern parts of the North Island were also likely to experience thunderstorms this week, with frequent showers and “potentially damaging” winds that could affect flights.

“Overall, setting Different pressure modes “It’s going to be a pretty tough end of winter and start of spring across the Western Hemisphere,” Noll said.

Niwa’s spring climate forecast is due to be released this week.

Jamie Morton is a science and environment reporter. He joins The Herald Founded in 2011, he writes about conservation, climate change, natural disasters, and new technologies.