11/04/2026
🟠CYCLONE VAIANU UPDATE🟠
🟠NEW HEAVY RAIN WARNING - KAWEKA AND RUAHINE RANGES🟠
🟠Strong Wind Warning and Heavy Rain Watch🟡
11:00AM, Saturday, 11/04/26.
MetService New Zealand update on the upcoming weather.
🟠HEAVY RAIN WARNING – ORANGE – HAWKE'S BAY🟠
Period: 18hrs from 3am - 9pm Sun, 12 Apr
Area: Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges
Forecast: Expect 120 to 140 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25mm/h Sunday afternoon and evening. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
🟠STRONG WIND WARNING – ORANGE – HAWKE'S BAY🟠
Period: 17hrs from 9am Sun, 12 Apr - 2am Mon, 13 Apr
Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti, Hawke's Bay and Taihape
Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale northwesterlies Sunday afternoon or evening, gusting 130km/h in exposed places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
🟡HEAVY RAIN WATCH – HAWKE'S BAY🟡
Period: 16hrs from 2am - 6pm Sun, 12 Apr
Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti about and south of Tolaga Bay, also coastal hills and ranges of Hawke's Bay excluding the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Large swells and coastal inundation are likely. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
SAFETY ADVICE.
⚠️ If life, health or property is at risk, call 111.
💨 SEVERE WIND. Don't walk around outside during severe wind. Don't drive unless necessary. Strong winds can fell trees and poles, tear off roofs, and cause branches and debris to fly at high speed.
🌊 COASTAL INUNDATION/FLOODING. Don’t take any chances. Act quickly if you see rising water. Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water, do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.
Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater: even water just 15 centimetres deep can sweep you off your feet, and half a metre of water will carry away most vehicles. Flood water is often contaminated and can make you sick.
⛰️ LANDSLIDES. Landslides can occur without any warning signs. Be aware of the potential for landslides, particularly in the weeks after potential triggering events, such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and previous landslides. If you see a landslide, move quickly out of its path and stay away from it.
❤️🩹 WELLBEING. Experiencing severe weather can be incredibly stressful and scary, and take a great toll on your mental health and wellbeing.
Whatever you’re going through, know that you’re not alone.
Try to take things one step at a time – a few slow breaths, checking in with neighbours or loved ones, and keeping up with official advice on how to prepare can all help you feel a bit more steady
💨 For advice on how to prepare for dangerous winds and severe weather visit GetReady.govt.nz
🛈 Stay Informed - keep yourself up to date with the latest forecasts, HBRC River monitoring, highway conditions, and council updates:
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home
https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/rainfall
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/Journey-planner
MetService New Zealand Wairoa District Council Napier City Council - Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri Hastings District Council - Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga Central Hawke's Bay District Council Hawke's Bay Regional Council
