{"id":566452,"date":"2026-08-12T05:48:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T05:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/566452\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T05:48:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T05:48:18","slug":"far-north-severe-thunderstorm-warning-flash-flooding-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/566452\/","title":{"rendered":"Far North severe thunderstorm warning: Flash flooding possible"},"content":{"rendered":"

At 04:15 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near MANGAMUKA, BROADWOOD and THE MAUNGATANIWHA RANGE.<\/p>\n

These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the east, and are expected to lie near MANGAMUKA and THE MAUNGATANIWHA RANGE at 04:45 pm and near MANGAMUKA\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Cm5vHNITSB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MetService NZ (@MetService) August 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

A heavy rain watch has also been in force for eastern areas of the upper North Island since this morning, covering a 15-hour period of wet weather.<\/p>\n

The watch, which came into effect at 10am today, covers northern and eastern Northland and Auckland north of \u014crewa, including Great Barrier Island, until 1am tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Meteorologist Ashlee Parkes told the Herald a \u201cquite complex system\u201d is moving in from the west.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s going to be scattered falls through most northern and western exposed areas as this front begins to push its way over,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

In Northland and northern Auckland, the heaviest rain is expected from late morning through the afternoon, before easing in the evening.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Tair\u0101whiti-Gisborne through to Wairarapa will start the day cloudy with light rain before fine spells in the afternoon.<\/p>\n

As the front pushes south, Westland and Fiordland are also in for heavy falls.<\/p>\n

Severe Weather Update \u2013 Heavy Rain Watches \u26a0\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udfe1\ud83c\udf27\ufe0f Northern and eastern parts of Northland, and Auckland north of Orewa including Great Barrier Island (10am Wed \u2013 1am Thu)
\ud83d\udfe1\ud83c\udf27\ufe0f The Westland District (2pm Wed \u2013 6am Thu)<\/p>\n

More info: https:\/\/t.co\/VDYb51QBlL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1IlwNqJFMD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MetService NZ (@MetService) August 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOur lovely Southern Alps across the South Island are going to do a pretty good job of blocking the worst of that rain and keep the heaviest stuff in the west,\u201d Parkes said.<\/p>\n

Marlborough south to Dunedin can expect a partly cloudy day with \u201clight spots of rain on and off\u201d, Parkes said.<\/p>\n

A \u201cquite significant northerly wind\u201d will develop ahead of the front, becoming strong in exposed places, particularly around the eastern South Island coast.<\/p>\n

By midnight, the front is expected to stretch from Auckland towards Westland and Fiordland.<\/p>\n

Warm weather on the way<\/p>\n

The system is also set to bring unusually warm conditions to some parts of the country. <\/p>\n

Kaik\u014dura is forecast to reach a toasty high of 18C tomorrow, with Parkes saying temperatures would be a \u201cbit warmer than we would expect for this time of year\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do often get these situations where, as these fronts cross the country, we get a northwesterly flow in behind, and they can be quite warm.\u201d<\/p>\n

The front will continue tracking southeast tomorrow, with a low risk of heavy rain in Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.<\/p>\n

Wet weather is expected to linger across northern areas through tomorrow and into Friday as another feature draws \u201cwarm moist air from the subtropics\u201d over New Zealand.<\/p>\n