Flood-hit Northland and Tasman brace for more rain next week after a frosty spell

New Zealand’s flood-weary regions, including Northland and the Tasman District, are being warned of more heavy rain and strong winds starting early next week. According to MetService, a shift in weather conditions will end the recent stretch of clear skies and sub-zero temperatures. The most severe weather is expected to hit on Tuesday, July 29.

MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said, as quoted by NZ Herald, the calm and cold weather, which brought frost and snow to many areas, will give way to warmer, unsettled conditions from the weekend.

Rain is expected to begin in Fiordland on Saturday, with showers spreading to the West Coast and Northland by Sunday. Heavier rain may affect the Tasman District, West Coast, and northern parts of the North Island by Tuesday.


“This spell of settled weather is coming to a close,” said Lynden. “Warmer temperatures, rain and wind are firmly returning to the forecast.”

Tasman on alert again

Tasman Mayor Tim King said the region is once again preparing for potential flooding. Although there have been seven days of clear weather since the last storm, river levels remain high, and more heavy rain could bring serious damage.

“The forecast is not looking great,” King said. “It’s been good to have a break from it, but it hasn’t been enough.”

Recent floods in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough left homes uninhabitable and roads damaged. Many areas are still recovering from what officials described as a “one-in-100-year event.”

Coldest morning of the year

While rain is on the horizon, many parts of the country woke to the coldest temperatures of the year. Dunedin Airport dropped to -6.7°C, Wānaka to -5.1°C, and Timaru to -4.7°C.

Even Auckland experienced frost in some areas, with temperatures falling below 4°C every morning this week.

The NZ Transport Agency issued black ice warnings for several roads as a result of the freezing conditions.