Feb 29: Heavy Rain forecast for Raglan and Waikato

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING.
ISSUED BY MetService AT 9:31am 29-Feb-2016
URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST IN: Auckland, Waikato

PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN FOR SOUTHERN AUCKLAND, WAIKATO AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING.

A very moist, subtropical airmass covers the North Island, bringing bursts of heavy rain or showers to northern New Zealand today (Monday) and Tuesday. An extended period of heavier rain is expected about Waikato, southern Auckland and western parts of Coromandel this afternoon and early evening, where rainfall accumulations may reach 50 to 70mm over a 6 hour period.

People are advised that rainfall of this intensity may cause surface flooding and make driving conditions hazardous.

The MetService coastal forecast for Raglan is:

Northwest 20 knots, changing southwest 15 knots early afternoon. Moderate sea easing. Southwest swell rising to 3 metres. Poor visibility in periods of rain and possible thunderstorms.