I found this post from the New Zealand site, they are preparing for the remains of Cyclone Innis.
Storm moves closer - warnings issued (Posted by wwakld on Thu, 19/02/2009 - 12:37 )
Former tropical cyclone Innis is lining up to dump heavy rain across New Zealand.
Warm waters fuel these storms and as you can see from this image sea temperatures are warm right throughout the Tasman Sea.
A THICK WALL of cloud is lining up along New Zealand's entire western coastline as weakened ex-tropical cyclone Innis moves closer and 15 severe warnings are issued.
Much of the nation has had a relatively sunny morning but sky conditions will change significantly for western and northern regions as the afternoon wears on.
Government forecaster MetService has issued a number of rain warnings for the North Island hill country. Western slopes along the eastern Bay of Plenty ranges may receive as much as 200mm from this storm over an 18 hour period. 150mm may fall on Mt Taranaki and Westland with less amounts across other regions in between. For a full list of the warnings click here.
According to WeatherWatch.co.nz the ex-tropical cyclone joined forces overnight with another low in the Tasman Sea - connected to the flooding rains in Queensland - and this will help deepen the low further. It may well end up as a bigger system near New Zealand than it was as a cyclone near New Caledonia on Wednesday.
The air pressure is expected to fall from around 998hPa to the low 980's.
Mr Duncan says at this stage wind isn't the issue. He says the air is laden with moisture and heavy rain will be the main feature. "The rain storm may flood some streams and rivers across western New Zealand from southern Waikato to the West Coast. This system is loaded with very heavy rain - flooding and slips are a possibility if it lingers".
Wind, while unlikely to be severe, may pose a problem over the weekend for some areas after the low has deepened - mainly Southland, the Southern Alps and Wellington. Hot nor'westers may also drive temperatures into the 30s across the North Island's east coast tomorrow.
Western areas of both islands, near and west of any main divides will be highest risk for heavy rain says the Weather Watch Centre, anywhere south of Tauranga and Waitomo down to Fiordland.
WeatherWatch.co.nz says ex-tropical cyclone Innis is now directly west of the North Island - less than 1000kms offshore and heading south.
Mr Duncan says today the forecasts will become much clearer and by this evening it will be easier to pinpoint the areas likely to have torrential rain and those likely to receive "just a normal days rain".
Heavy rain in the Tararua Ranges and Hawkes Bay ranges may also help lift river levels flowing through parched east coast farms and rain across Canterbury and Marlborough will be much appreciated by farmers, so long as it isn't too heavy.
As with most tropical storms their predicted path is often not 100% clear. We'll be closely monitoring the development of this low over the next few days with special updates if needed. ( end of Post)
These are the current warnings for NZ
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING.
ISSUED BY MetService AT 11:45 am 19-Feb-2009
WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAIN EXPECTED OVER MUCH OF NEW ZEALAND ON FRIDAY
A low over the central Tasman Sea is expected to deepen and move
towards to the country, becoming slow moving northwest of Fiordland
by midday Friday. A front associated with this low is preceded by
strong northerlies and very humid air.The front should sweep across
the North Island and much of the South Island during Friday bringing
a period of heavy rain to many districts. For the central North
Island and north and west of the South Island, around 100mm of rain
is possible in a 12 to 24 hour period, however up to 200mm may fall
in eastern Bay of Plenty. Many other regions are expected to receive
significant amounts of rain, but not enough to justify a warning. A
watch is in place to give further details in these other areas.
People in these areas are advised to keep up to date with the latest
forecasts and watch for rising river levels and possible surface
flooding.
FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND FORECAST CHARTS PLEASE GO TO
http://metservice.comMORE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL USERS
FOLLOWS:
____________________
HEAVY RAIN WARNING
____________________
AREAS AFFECTED: NORTH ISLAND HILL COUNTRY FROM KAIMAI RANGE TO
TAIHAPE AND FROM MT TARANAKI TO EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY RANGES, TARARUA
RANGE, RICHMOND RANGE TO NORTHWEST MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS, NORTHWEST
NELSON RANGES AND WESTLAND RANGES BETWEEN OTIRA AND BIG BAY.
FORECAST:
MT TARANAKI
Rain is expected to develop tonight and become heavy overnight. In
the 12 hours from 1am to 1pm Friday 100 to 150mm is possible about
the summit. Heaviest falls likely around dawn when intensities may
reach 25 to 30mm/hr.
NORTH ISLAND HILL COUNTRY FROM THE KAIMAI RANGE TO TAIHAPE INCLUDING
THE HIGH GROUND EAST OF STRATFORD AND WEST OF MURUPARA
Rain will set in overnight and become heavy by dawn. In the 12 hours
from 3am to 3pm Friday 80 to 120mm of rain is expected. Heaviest
falls are likely late morning when 20 to 25mm/hr is possible.
BAY OF PLENTY RANGES EAST OF MURUPARA
Rain should become heavy Friday morning. In the 18 hours from 9am
Friday to 3am Saturday between 150 to 200mm is possible. Heaviest
falls during Friday afternoon could reach 25 to 30mm/hr.
TARARUA RANGE
Heavy rain is expected from around dawn on Friday. In the 9 hours
from 6am to 3pm Friday 75 to 100mm of rain may fall. Heaviest falls
are likely from late morning when rainfall rates may reach 25 to
30mm/hr. Although the rain eases,showers may continue into Saturday.
RANGES OF NORTHWEST NELSON
Rain is expected to develop tonight and become heavy overnight. In
the 12 hours from 3am to 3pm Friday 75 to 100mm of rain is possible.
Initially rain will fall in a strong northeast flow, but winds should
turn northwest around dawn with the passage of the front. The front
is likely to bring the heaviest falls when intensites may reach 20 to
25mm/hr.
RICHMOND RANGE TO NORTHWEST MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS
Rain should become heavy before dawn on Friday. In the 6 hours from
5am to 11am Friday 50 to 60mm of rain is possible. Heaviest falls
during the morning with hourly rates of around 20mm/hr possible.
WESTLAND RANGES BETWEEN OTIRA AND BIG BAY
Rain is expected to set in overnight and become heavy around dawn on
Friday. In the 24 hours from 6am Friday to 6am Saturday 100 to 150mm
is possible. Heaviest falls are likely Friday afternoon with
intensities reaching 25mm/hr.
FREEZING LEVEL: Around 3800 metres over the South Island.
NEXT SEVERE WEATHER WARNING WILL BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE
9:00pm Thursday 19-Feb-2009
Forecast prepared by: Chris Noble
For further information after 2pm contact Duty Forecaster Oliver
Druce
A service provided through a contract with the Crown
