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July 03, 2025
Weather warnings in place for Aotearoa both North and South
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On July 3, 2025
- The latest Watches and Warnings have been issued, with heavy rain, strong winds, and heavy snow the things to look out for in the coming days.
- Tasman, Nelson, and parts of Marlborough are still saturated from last week, and further heavy rain could bring surface flooding, slips, and rapidly rising streams and rivers.
- Areas in the North Island could see localised areas receive very intense rainfall in a short space of time, as well as very gusty winds, both enhanced locally by thunderstorms. However, these downpours strong winds can happen with or without thunderstorms.
Heavy rain and strong winds for central and northern New Zealand, and heavy snow for parts of the South Island
A large low over the Tasman Sea and its associated fronts bring heavy rain and strong winds to central and northern parts of the country from Thursday onwards. Heavy snow is possible for higher elevations of Otago and South Canterbury.
Warnings and Watches are in force for heavy rain, heavy snow and strong winds.
Stay up to date with the latest forecasts as changes are likely to be made.
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Area: Bay of Plenty about and west of Opotiki
Period: 17hrs from 10am Thu, 3 Jul – 3am Fri, 4 Jul
Forecast: Expect 90 to 120 mm of rain, especially inland. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, but 25 to 40 mm/h possible in localised downpours Thursday evening. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Area: Bay of Plenty east of Opotiki
Period: 22hrs from noon Thu, 3 Jul – 10am Fri, 4 Jul
Forecast: Expect 100 to 130 mm of rain, but 150 to 200 mm in localised areas about the ranges. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected from Thursday evening, but 25 to 40 mm/h possible in localised downpours. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Area: Tasman District northwest of Motueka
Period: 15hrs from 3am – 6pm Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: Expect 120 to 150 mm of rain, but 150 to 200 mm possible in localised areas including the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h. Note, further rain or showers expected for the remainder of Thursday and Friday. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Area: Tasman and Nelson Districts about and southeast of Motueka, also Marlborough north of the Wairau River
Period: 15hrs from 6am – 9pm Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: Expect 80 to 110 mm of rain about the Sounds and ranges, and 50 to 80 mm elsewhere. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, mainly about ranges. Note, further rain or showers expected on Friday. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Area: Tairawhiti/Gisborne north of Ruatoria
Period: 20hrs from 4pm Thu, 3 Jul – noon Fri, 4 Jul
Forecast: Expect 150 to 200 mm of rain about the ranges, with less about the coast. Peak rates of 30 to 40 mm/h expected overnight Thursday and Friday morning. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Area: Northern Taihape and Tongariro National Park
Period: 14hrs from 10am – midnight Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: Expect 100 to 130 mm of rain. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected Thursday evening. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Area: Taranaki Maunga
Period: 11hrs from 8am – 7pm Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: Expect 160 to 220 mm of rain. Peak rates of 25 to 40 mm/h expected Thursday afternoon and evening with downpours possible. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Northland
Period: 11hrs from 9am – 8pm Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula
Period: 11hrs from noon – 11pm Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: A period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Localised downpours and thunderstorms possible in the evening. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Auckland
Period: 9hrs from noon – 9pm Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: A period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Localised downpours and thunderstorms possible. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupo and North Taranaki
Period: 12hrs from noon – midnight Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with localised downpours, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Note, a warning is in place for Taranaki Maunga. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: North Otago and Dunedin
Period: 12hrs from 3pm Thu, 3 Jul – 3am Fri, 4 Jul
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Heavy Snow Watch
Area: Canterbury south of the Rangitata River, Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago
Period: 8hrs from 9am – 5pm Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: Periods of heavy snow possible above 600 metres, where snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Snow is possible as low as 400 metres in some places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Northland
Period: 12hrs from 6am – 6pm Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula
Period: 9hrs from 9am – 6pm Thu, 3 Jul
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
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