A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for a large swathe of the North Island this New Year's Eve, from Whangārei in the north to the Wairarapa in the south.
Auckland, Hamilton, Whanganui, and Palmerston North were in the firing line for the storms from 1pm to 10pm on Wednesday, while heavy rain warnings and watches remained in place at the top of the South Island for the Tasman ranges west of Motueka, Buller, as well as the Richmond and Bryant ranges.
MetService said conditions were primed for heavy showers and thunderstorms capable of producing intense downpours of 25 to 40mm per hour before easing tonight.
"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas such as streams, rivers, or narrow valleys, and may also trigger slips," the forecaster said.
"Driving conditions will be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain."
MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden told 1News a large, slow-moving low travelling west would bring bands of rain, showers, and possible severe thunderstorms to many parts of the country.
Asked about the long, narrow shape of the watch zone, he said the low was pulling northerlies down over much of the North Island.
"With that, we're getting strong convergence, or wind coming in from both sides of the island. As it hits the land, it pushes up, and that's why it's that long, narrow shape. Those winds meet in the central areas of the North Island and provide the impetus for those thunderstorms."
Thunderstorms were already “sparking up” in southern Waikato near Waitomo and Taumarunui, with other areas at risk this evening.
"The most severe is within the watch zone, but further east there’s a reasonable risk of thunderstorms without those heavy downpours — places like inland Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, and inland Hawke’s Bay," Lynden said.
New Year's Eve cancellations
Palmerston North City Council cancelled its New Year's Eve event in The Square due to forecaste severe winds.
The council said the cancellation included all entertainment and both fireworks displays.
“We are really sorry to have to make this call, especially knowing how many people were looking forward to celebrating together.”
Tauranga City Council cancelled all five of its community New Year’s Eve events.
In a statement on Monday, the council said it had chosen to cancel the New Year’s Eve events as weather reports indicated "significant rain bands and strong wind gusts during event set-up, with conditions highly likely to continue into Wednesday".
Kaiteriteri has postponed its New Year's Eve fireworks display until early January, and entertainment at Picton's foreshore has been cancelled with the fireworks to continue.
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taranaki, Taihape, Wanganui, Manawatu, Tararua, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Wellington – 9 hours from 1pm to 10pm Wednesday
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Ranges of Tasman District west of Motueka – 21 hours from 9am Wednesday to 6am Thursday
Heavy Rain Watch
Buller – 16 hours from 11pm Wednesday to 3pm Thursday
Richmond and Bryant ranges, including Rai Valley – 24 hours from 9am Wednesday to 9am Thursday
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