Weather watch - storm brewing

**sels1** · 24th July 2008, 13:34

Media release from Metservice....there goes the weekend....

"Issued at 12:31pm 24-Jul-2008

SEVERE STORM HEADING TOWARDS THE NORTH ISLAND

MetService is concerned about the potential wind, wave and rain impacts from a rapidly intensifying subtropical depression heading quickly towards New Zealand. This depression, currently off the Queensland coast, should follow a path close to Northland and Auckland on Saturday and Bay of Plenty and Gisborne on Sunday. It has the capacity to bring hazardous weather to many parts of the North Island.

"By the time this system reaches northern New Zealand on Saturday, it is likely to have significant destructive potential", commented Peter Kreft of MetService. "Damaging gales and/or very heavy downpours are possible in many North Island areas. At this early stage, it is too close to call which places will catch the worst of the storm."

Besides the threat to land areas, many parts of the North Island coast and surrounding seas are likely to be dangerous places at some point in the coming weekend. Very strong winds are likely to generate treacherous sea conditions.

Mr Kreft added "Given the potentially serious nature of this weather event, people are encouraged to keep abreast of the latest weather information on www.metservice.com".

For further information please contact:

Peter Kreft Manager Public Weather Services (04) 4700 806"

**Str8 Jacket** · 24th July 2008, 13:38

Righto, time to organise a ride for this weekend then is it?!

**wybmadiity** · 24th July 2008, 13:45

Oh yeah she's looking pretty shot for Saturday...
http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forec...on=nzni&tim=54
Sunday could be okay though

http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forec...on=nzni&tim=78

**BiK3RChiK** · 24th July 2008, 13:49

Yeah, I've been watching the forecast on this one since yesterday, and all I can say about that is 'Man, that sucks!' There goes the 4th weekend on the trot..

**Number One** · 24th July 2008, 13:51

POOHS AND WEES!!! I am watching the weather closing in around my building and I still have to ride home yet! Bad weather doesn't scare me or stop me going anywhere on the bike when I have to but... IT REALLY DOES SUCK AND ISN'T MUCH FUN!!!! AND I had arranged my leave pass in advance for a tootle on Sunday

**avgas** · 24th July 2008, 13:56

i haven't done a storm ride is so long - who's keen?

**Pwalo** · 24th July 2008, 14:33

It's pretty windy out here in Petone at the moment. I'm really looking forward to SH2 later on in the day.

**Number One** · 24th July 2008, 14:45

Originally Posted by Pwalo

It's pretty windy out here in Petone at the moment. I'm really looking forward to SH2 later on in the day.

HOws the harbour look - might get a swim in on the way home too!

**Dave-** · 24th July 2008, 14:51

lame...all we'll get is rain...

I told spuds it'd rain after he got his new bike...

**tri boy** · 24th July 2008, 16:05

Humans are water proof.
Its the exposure to cold that is the kicker.

**martybabe** · 24th July 2008, 16:12

First good ride today since ages ago, except for the red van

glad I got a good one in before this b'stard hits.

Thanx for the warning.

**Mikkel** · 24th July 2008, 16:13

Originally Posted by tri boy

Humans are water proof.

Only temporarily - it depends on how long you can hold your breath.

**Squiggles** · 24th July 2008, 16:28

Fark, was heading north this weekend, looks like i wont be now... When i looked on tuesday it was only just going to touch the tip of the NI on its way east