Large parts of the country are being told to be on alert as an atmospheric river brings heavy rain and strong winds to New Zealand.
An active front preceded by a strong and moist northerly flow is expected to move over New Zealand from the west on Sunday and Monday, followed by a broad trough of low pressure, MetService said.
It's expected to bring a brief period of heavy rain to northern and western regions, with the heaviest rain likely near the ranges in the north and west of the South Island and eastern Bay of Plenty.
Gale force northerly winds are also likely in exposed parts of central New Zealand.
NIWA is calling the system an "atmospheric river", which it said was an "uncommon occurrence so far in 2024".
"A weak AR [atmospheric weather] on from Sunday into Monday will recharge soil moisture in several regions, such as across the top of the South Island and parts of the northern North Island, like Northland, Bay of Plenty, and East Cape," the forecasters said.
"Drier conditions are then expected on Tuesday-Wednesday."
The New Zealand Transport Agency is urging motorists to drive with care and check the conditions.
"This weather will affect drivers using State Highway 6 and State Highway 60. Drivers using these routes must be alert for slips, tree falls, and localised flooding," NZTA said.
"The Metservice has also issued a Strong Wind Warning for Wellington, with severe northerly gales forecast. This means that drivers of trucks, vans, motorcycles, towing vehicles, and light vehicles must take extra care on exposed routes. This includes State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill and the Wainui Saddle on State Highway 1 Transmission Gully."
MetService has issued the following weather warnings and watches:
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
Area: Hills and ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty, including the Raukumara Range
Period: 12hrs from 11pm Sun, 9 Jun - 11am Mon, 10 Jun
Forecast: Expect 80 to 110mm of rain. Peak rates of 10 to 15 mm/h Monday morning.
Area: Tasman northwest of Motueka
Period: 16hrs from 9am Sun, 9 Jun - 1am Mon, 10 Jun
Forecast: Expect 120 to 170 mm of rain about the ranges, and 30 to 60 mm closer to the coast. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h about the ranges from afternoon and possible thunderstorms from evening.
Area: Richmond and Bryant Ranges, also the Rai Valley
Period: 15hrs from noon Sun, 9 Jun - 3am Mon, 10 Jun
Forecast: Expect 90 to 130 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, especially about the ranges.
Area: The Paparoa Range and the ranges of the Buller District south of Seddonville and northwest of Reefton
Period: 20hrs from 10am Sun, 9 Jun - 6am Mon, 10 Jun
Forecast: Expect 80 to 120 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h from afternoon, and thunderstorms possible in the evening.
Area: The ranges of the Westland District
Period: 15hrs from 10am Sun, 9 Jun - 1am Mon, 10 Jun
Forecast: Expect 120 to 150 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h from afternoon, with thunderstorms possible.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Mount Taranaki/Taranaki Maunga
Period: 12hrs from 4pm Sun, 9 Jun - 4am Mon, 10 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Area: The Tararua Range
Period: 10hrs from 11pm Sun, 9 Jun - 9am Mon, 10 Jun
Forecast: A period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Area: Canterbury Headwaters
Period: 13hrs from 10am - 11pm Sun, 9 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Amounts may approach warning criteria within 20 km east of the main divide.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: South Taranaki and Whanganui
Period: 7hrs from 8pm Sun, 9 Jun - 3am Mon, 10 Jun
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Area: Wellington including the Remutaka Hill Road
Period: 15hrs from 3pm Sun, 9 Jun - 6am Mon, 10 Jun
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Road Snowfall Warning
Area: Crown Range Road
Period: 5hrs from 10pm Mon, 10 Jun - 3am Tue, 11 Jun
Forecast: Snow showers expected overnight Monday to Tuesday. 1 to 3cm expected about the top of the road and lesser amounts to 700 metres.
Area: Milford Road (SH94)
Period: 5hrs from 10pm Mon, 10 Jun - 3am Tue, 11 Jun
Forecast: Period of snow overnight Monday to Tuesday. 5 to 10cm expected about the tunnel with lesser amounts to 700 metres.
