2025 is set to go out with a bang as an active low-pressure system crosses the country, upgrading weather alerts from watches to warnings and no doubt disrupting many Kiwis' summer plans.
Most of the North Island and the top of the South Island are under orange heavy rain and strong wind warnings for the final few days of the year, with a mix of wind, rain, thunderstorms and cooler temperatures for many areas.
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MetService meteorologist Katie Lyons said while there was plenty to keep an eye on, there were also likely to be breaks for some parts of the country.
A rainband moving south was bringing soggy conditions to the upper North Island today, Lyons said.
The Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay were currently receiving the "most intense and persistent" deluge, with orange heavy rain warnings continuing through until Tuesday for some regions," she added.
"Early in the event, ranges in the Coromandel region are already seeing over 40mm of rain, with 20mm toward the towns. It's unfortunate weather to hit such popular camping spots and the festival goers in the Gisborne/Tairāwhiti region."
Heavy rain watches were issued for the Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua, the Tararua District and Wairarapa, the Kaikoura Coast.
Gale southeasterlies were also spreading across the North Island and northwest of the South Island, bringing orange strong wind warnings into effect in the Coromandel, Waikato to Taranaki and Taihape, and Manawatu south to Kapiti.
In the South Island, the gales would accelerate up and over the ranges, bringing big gusts to Buller, Grey and northern Westland from 10pm tonight through until 2pm on Tuesday.
Many other areas across the North Island were under strong wind watches, including Auckland and Wellington.
Lyons said winds were expected to be strongest in exposed areas.
"However, it’s a different direction than we are used to, so those that usually feel sheltered might catch the strong winds today. High sided vehicles, for example campervans, should be extra mindful."
The driest place to ring in the New Year was appearing to be the far south of the country, while the rainiest was western central New Zealand, she said.
"The beauty of showers is that they might give us a few gaps to celebrate the years end outside.
"Definitely a time to have a plan B for your New Year’s festivities and keep a keen eye on the forecast and radar."
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Coromandel Peninsula – 9 hours from 9am to 6pm Monday
Gisborne/Tairāwhiti – 18 hours from 9am Monday to 3am Tuesday
Bay of Plenty (east of Rotorua) – 17 hours from 9am Monday to 2am Tuesday
Hawke’s Bay – 19 hours from 10am Monday to 5am Tuesday
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Buller, Grey, northern Westland – 15 hours from 10pm Monday to 1pm Tuesday
Coromandel Peninsula – 6 hours from 9am to 3pm Monday
Waikato, Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupō, Tongariro NP, Taihape – 9 hours from noon to 9pm Monday
Manawatū, Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast – 18 hours from 3pm Monday to 9am Tuesday
Heavy Rain Watch
Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua – 15 hours from 9am to midnight Monday
Tararua District and Wairarapa – 16 hours from 11pm Monday to 3pm Tuesday
Kaikōura Coast – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Tuesday
Strong Wind Watch
Auckland and Great Barrier Island – 5 hours from 9am to 2pm Monday
Wellington – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Tuesday
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