Whanganui weather and river predictions

Published on 27 May 2016

27 May 2016

Whanganui District Council Emergency Manager Matthew Smith says staff will be closely monitoring river levels over the weekend with heavy rain predicted in the region, but at this stage predictions are below warning levels.

Probable impacts of the rainfall that is forecast to occur over the weekend are:

Whanganui River at Pipiriki

• The Whanganui River at Pipiriki is currently forecast to peak at a level of 7.1m at 6.30am on Sunday, May 29. At 8m initial planning is undertaken for rising river levels. Travel time for river peak from Pipiriki to Whanganui’s urban area is 11-12 hours.

Whangaehu River at Kauangaroa

• The Whangaehu River at Kauangaroa is expected to peak at a level of 6.5m at 8.00am on Sunday, May 29.

If river level actions remain as predicted there will be no full activation of the Whanganui Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Whanganui EOC has been set up and is in a monitoring role at present. Additional Whanganui Emergency Management staff will be at work through the weekend and will be monitoring river levels closely overnight Saturday through Sunday. Other EOC staff are on standby if required.

Strong winds are forecast throughout the weekend so residents are advised to secure loose objects and take care as the waterlogged ground may make trees unstable. Drive to the conditions if you are travelling.

During the weekend, up-to-date weather information for Whanganui can be found at www.metservice.com/towns-cities/whanganui

River height forecast information is available at: www.horizons.govt.nz/environment-data

• Select: ‘Rivers’

• Then from the drop down boxes:

  • ‘River Level Forecast’

  • ‘Whanganui at Pipiriki’

• Click data to view.